I am about to purchase my first IOM. What designs would be good for open water conditions ? I sail at Chew Valley Lake where waves are often 0.5m+

The Lintel design by David Creed is a good open water design dealing both with a good blow and waves well. I found I could carry an 'A' suit longer than most other designs at our club. The down side was in light air you could not point as high as later designs with the same boat speed. Never owned the later MMX version but a couple of our club members have had this hull and it still maintained the performance in a blow with improved lighter wind performance. (The Lintel also carried the 'B' suit when most of our local fleet had swapped to 'C'.)

With sailing at an inland lake with trees around the perimeter I replaced the Lintel as conditions rarely benefitted the design. I sold the boat to an ex-member who sailed in Spain in the sea. He used it for a time performing well against the local fleet before purchasing an MMX new from David Creed, which I believe he was also very pleased with.

The Lintel design was developed for use at Fleetwood and West Kirby both costal marine lakes exposed to wind and waves.

Budget might decide which of these designs to choose, there is a Lintel for sale on the site at the moment ready to sail according to the advert for approx £600 to £650. Not seen an MMX for sale for some time.

If you consider buying one of these it may be worth giving David Creed a call, he unfortunately does not have a  Web site, i have always found him to be very helpful.

Eric

Hi Errol,

 

You can't go wrong with a Lintel in waves.  I had my best IOM Nationals ever, 3rd overall, in 2010 at WKSC with my Lintel!

 

Does this mean the the IOM fleet will be coming to CVSC for a ranking weekend in the near future?

 

Derek P   

Hi Errol,

The above advice is good and if looking for an entry IOM for open water. Most IOMs will handle open water well with the key being in keeping the boat internals dry over anything else.

As mentioned if on a budget, the Lintel will do well, but don’t discount a Widget, Isis, Cockatoo or TS2 amongst others to get you started. All boats that have performed well in open water in years gone by and built to handle hard going. Sail any of those hard and get to as many events as you can in your first year before looking for something more updated if you wish.

Cheers

Brad

 

I can vouch for the Isis. Mine also performs very nicely in light airs, which is a bonus. Mine will be a forever boat.

There going to be IOM sailing at Chew? I've tried messaging the club a few times through the website but never hear back...