Classes that we sail at Llandegfedd

Currently we do not sail in formal class races. If we get regular fleets of boats we will revert to fleet racing. A few years ago we used Enterprise, Solo and Laser fleets as we had more than 6 regularly racing together.  To ring the changes we mix Handicap Racing with Pursuit racing. We normally have the pursuit race first so that all boats have the same amount of time between races.

(For those already confused, Handicap racing is where all boats start at the same time, and the results are calculated on how well the boat has done compared with its handicap; Pursuit races are where the slower boats start first, and the fast boats chase and attempt to catch up. The winner is the one that has gone the furthest when the time allocated is complete)

We have some prime classes and would like more boats of the same types. (RS 400, RS200, Enterprise, Laser, Solo, Topper) However, even the committee members are not restricted to boats in these classes! Comments and additions are invited to the comments made below, which could be a bit prejudiced. Click on the picture to get a larger image of the class. Further information will be available from the class Web Site and secretary. (If the links do not work, try going via the RYA clubs page of links. The classes change secretary and arrangements quite often.)

Class

Comment

Club Contact / Web site

Picture
RS 400 Fast, modern 2 man boat with enormous asymmetric spinnaker. Growing popularity and large Open Meeting programme. Can be sailed inland by man/girl crews. Very odd downwind courses. Needs experience. Bill Jackson;
RS association site		 thumbnail of RS 400, click for a larger picture  
Enterprise Fairly fast family boat for 2 people. Can be bought at any price between £200 and £6000 depending upon age, speed and condition. Good for a first boat once some confidence obtained on courses etc. Mostly wooden, needs varnish and care. Some Fibre-glass ones available. (Club owns one) Alan Bolton
Enterprise site		 thumbnail of an Enterprise, click for a larger picture
Laser Olympic class fast single-handed fibre-glass boat. Very simple but surprising difficult to sail effectively. Has different sails available to suit lightweights.  (Radial, 4.7) Nigel Tinkler;
Laser Site		 thumbnail of a Laser, click for a larger picture
Solo Classic single handed wooden boat, again with wide price variation. Good for single-handed beginners who don't want to be permanently wet. Colin Chapman
Solo site		 thumbnail of a Solo, click for a larger picture
Topper Plastic simple boat for single-handed fun sailing. Under powered, so useful for training, youths. Plastic, lasts well and light to move around. Phil Leeb-du-Toit;
UK Topper class association		 thumbnail of Toppers, click for a larger picture
Mirror Classic beginners small 2 man boat, especially suitable for juniors. Wooden, gives practice on DIY skills. Safe, slow, cheap, but has spinnaker. Bill Jackson;
Mirror site  		 thumbnail of Mirrors racing, click for a larger picture
420 2 man youth boat, with Trapeze and spinnaker. Very popular design chosen for Youth training internationally as it is a little under powered. Very fast up wind in a blow. The club has one of these. (Keith Sykes);
420 site can be found by using Mariner, "Classes", Numerical, 420.		 thumbnail of 420s, click for a larger picture
Supernova New single handed fibre-glass class with large sail. Faster than Solo, easier and more dignified to sail than Laser. Adjustable rig and controls. Mike Farmer / John James;
Supernova site		 thumbnail of a supanova, click for a larger picture
Optimist 2.3 meter long simple boat designed for ages 6 to 15. Sailed internationally, can be fiercely competitive and breeding ground for top sailors 10 years hence. Single square sail on square boat. Phil Tilley;
Optimist site		 thumbnail of an Optimist - NO other picture here