Classic R6M

[Mike Ewart]

What would be the feelings out there if we did a section for Classic R6M in our competitions in the future, my idea would be for any R6M built in the classic method, that is not a moulded hull to qualify, would this be of interest to people out there

[Val Provoost]

I take it you mean wooden boats Mike. What about the oldies like mine? A Tern, definitely not a competetive boat and also oneof the earliest Renaissances which has spent most of its life pretending to be an A. I wouldnt mind sailing a 6 again just on the grounds of its weight. But yes, as a principle, get the older boats afloat again and give them something to race for.

[Mike Ewart]

Hi Val I was I admit thinking along the lines of non moulded boats but I am totally open to suggestions from you all lets put a design date a method of construction or a material of construction either or all, I just want to encourage you to get your boat on the water and race it

[alanbright]

I think there is a very good case for wooden boats to have a separate trophy at the Nationals. I think this could be justified more on the grounds that it is so difficult to build a wooden boat even to a modern design that can consistently compete with a carbon hull. The problem is that even a planked boat might make use of moulded components i.e. fin / rudder / radio tray - see the problem! I am currently looking to build a 'Romanza' in wood to replace my 20+ year old 'Petrel', with moulded components, would this qualify in a separate category? The answer might be to have a 'classic' division where the boats have to be totally timber construction and over a certain age. This would of course mean an equally old moulded design i.e. 'Renaissance' would not qualify. Another difficulty would be that it would do nothing to encourage new wooden builds, something I am keen to encourage. I know this posting has raised more questions than answers!

Alan Bright, Broads RYC

[Mike Ewart]

Hi Alan et al

it really can get complicated if we try I was just thinking of the basic hull moulded appendages would be acceptable and age would be immaterial as the Classic part of it is the fact it is made in wood either planked or chined to hopefully encorouge the real boat builders/designers to produce a boat or to get one out of the attic, and in fact in a moment of madness I might even put up a perpetual trophy for the classic boat at the nationals if there is an interest.

[Val Provoost]

There used to be a trophy for Classic A' boats calledthe Endeavour trophy. The definition of classic was that that the boat had a classic 'built down' keel and not a fin and bulb so My Tern would be a Modern and a Dolphin would be a classic. Hows that for starters?

[Mike Ewart]

Hi Val

could be but I feel that would take so many boats out of contention that it wouldnt be worth doing, a lot of the older boats have fins and bulbs, look at the Dan series and as you say the Tern, lets see if we get any more feedback on this and possibly a show of hands as what possible classics are out there, I am still tending towards a wooden hull to also encourage new wooden builds as in the Footy class they have a non moulded hull trophy

[stevevw]

Blast from the past I know, but 9+ years on and still no recognised guidelines for a classic or wooden boat class. Surly the regular open meeting skippers could put their heads together and produce something that works?

As most of you know I am a modeller at heart and a lover of wood builds. But equally happy to see a list of early glass boats too. Perhaps 1990 limit on plastic designs so that would include the multi championship winning Renaissance and the Revival from Mr. Bantock, then we have the Lewis Tern and Petrel both from 1990. Add in all the boats built with wood and ply such as the Lewis Siskin and Jewel and Bantock Rococo and Romanza. Then we have the possibility of getting more boats back on the water and new builds being designed in wood.

I think that the class should be available at all open meetings not just the once a year Nationals.

 

Your thoughts.