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Post by Village Idiot on Oct 22, 2008 23:54:51 GMT 10
Thanks for replies. I am looking to get an OK but cant really justify spending a lot of money as I do sail other another class. From the little I have read though it would appear without a decent carbon mast you would be struggling to find good speed against others. How old would 668 be now out of curiosity? I do not agree with this assumption. A well sailed boat with an alu mast will flog a poorly sailed one with carbon. I was late getting on the carbon bandwagon and during this time i thoroughly enjoyed whooping guys that had paid $$$ to upgrade to carbon. Some of these guys will tell you onshore what a big improvement carbon has made for them and then start the next race 2-3 lengths behind the line. By having an alu stck that matched the sail, hitting the line on the gun with speed, getting the shifts and leaning hard it was an awsome feeling leaving them for dead. In a floppy old Botteril hull with an ancient red top mast and an unfashionable sail i finished my last Nats in the boat coming 5th. The only reason I bought myself a C-Tech was to go with my new boat. There is absolutley no reason to throw away an alu mast. If people want to improve, they should learn how to sail before wasting their money!
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Post by aus729 on Oct 23, 2008 8:10:37 GMT 10
All good stuff. A good rig and boat do help, but so does good sailing. The main difference between Aluminum and Carbon is that all the carbon masts are fast, where with aluminum you needed to find the correct mast to suit the correct weight. This was a difficult process. You then needed to get a sail that suited you as well. Carbon has taken the mast part from the equation. There are good aluminum rigs around, plus most will have a good sail to go with them. But as the idiot ;D said good sailing, starting and boat handling are a must as well.
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Post by Sean on Oct 23, 2008 8:14:20 GMT 10
Yes you are right it is an assumption. Based on the fact that it doesn't seem that anyone remotely near the front of the fleet uses aluminum now.
I was basing my assumption on the boat actually being sailed in an equal manner to one that was equipped with a newer mast etc.
And yes it would undoubtedly serve me better if and when I finally acquire a OK to actually learn to sail before I throw my money away when the biggest improvement would be me learning how to race.
Was hoping to get a boat to participate in the Nats and the NSW states and whatever else I can find time for.
Aus 713 International Ok dinghy. Design :Comfort and taylor built 2002 by Jason King 4kg correctorsVery fast boat low profile side decks for comfort and straight leg hiking. 2year old C- tech carbon mast + blacktop aluminium bottril laminated rudder and centre board,alum boom Aluminium trolley
Would this boat be suitable for someone that weighs 85 and is looking to join the class.
Undoubtedly many arguments must have have happened in the past over the introduction of carbon masts as it has made the entry to OK's a bit steeper in price.
Thanks for the replies you guys have posted!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2008 9:03:54 GMT 10
Hi Sean One thing to bear in mind if you feel the need to get a carbon mast is that you don't need to shell out for a new one unless you really want to, as there are a few guys upgrading at the moment and putting slightly older carbon rigs (with sails) on the market. Not sure if all the the ones on the for sale forum are still available, but I know of at least one other for sale in Melbourne that would probably suit you. If you are on a budget it may be best to look for a solid hull to start with and then pick up a rig once you have come to grips with the OK class (which has a steep but rewarding learning curve, I have found).
Having said all that, as far as I can see 713 is a very good boat.
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Post by Sean on Oct 23, 2008 9:13:24 GMT 10
Hi
"It may be best to look for a solid hull to start with"
Yes that was my thinking also. I will be in Melbourne for Go for gold and sail melbourne and was hoping to look around more then. Not too many boats listed here at the moment.
I am on a budget in the sense that I would rather not buy a close to new hull as they seem very costly for my first investment in the class.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2008 10:23:33 GMT 10
Hi "It may be best to look for a solid hull to start with" Yes that was my thinking also. I will be in Melbourne for Go for gold and sail melbourne and was hoping to look around more then. Not too many boats listed here at the moment. I am on a budget in the sense that I would rather not buy a close to new hull as they seem very costly for my first investment in the class. That's what I did. I think as long as your hull is stiff and down to weight you are ok. If need be you can fair the hull yourself. There are only small differences in performance between oks of different design. The most major differences are in the rigs (obviously other than sailor skill/fitness level). It took me 4 years to start getting it right. Over those years I owned 3 masts and modified 2 of those, so in reality my last mast was like a 5th generation mast for me. That's the beauty of oks and carbon masts, you can develop them to suit your own sailing style. It's a lot fun!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2008 13:45:59 GMT 10
Hi Sean, Good to see your interest in the International OK Dinghy. As with most things you buy, "you get what you pay for". Where are you located? If you want to give me a call on (02) 98711994 I would be happy to discuss your options with you. The three boats currently listed for sale on this forum represent good value for money at whatever level of entry you choose. It depends on how much you can afford to pay. These boats are NSW based, AUS647 at Drummoyne, AUS680 on the Central Coast and AUS713 at Wangi. All are worth having a look at if you are keen to enter the class soon. Cheers, Bill.
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Post by Glenn AUS 719 on Oct 23, 2008 18:18:40 GMT 10
No problems with an old hull, like Karl has said a stiff hull down to weight will keep you happy. They are all right, in big fleets 50% of the race is over if you are not on the line going fast in clear air when the gun fires. The amount of sailors with good boats and gear that sail hard the first half of the windward leg and then rest for the remainder is incredible, good fitness will see you overtake them. So go for the skills and when you reach the top 10 then look at the gear.
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Post by aus713 on Oct 23, 2008 22:20:39 GMT 10
G,day Sean Aus 713 is a good boat and the mast/sail is set up for 85kg , The reason I,m selling is that I,m now over 100kg(love those pies) And need a bigger rig for my weight. The boat is very fast, I have had some good results but you will go alot better than me in it, giving your weight of 85kg. The boat is trimmed perfect all people who get in it and sail it love the ease of the boat. it is extremely fast downwind and very stable. I have been sailing the OK for about 4 years and I started in an old boat, which I loved very much but the difference in my performance When I brought this boat was remarkable. If you are interested give me a call and I can give you more details of the boat and rig. If your fair dinkum I will help you with the price , You will love the boat and it will suit you perfectly, If you can afford it why waste time in a old boat. kind regards Peter Aus 713
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