Many thanks both
Will go to Ali Palace next week - Swell Cats first stop
Huw

Whilst continuing in this vein make sure you check out the prices for new sails/parts for the spit and shadow. You might think twice about buying one compared to F16's where there is more competition especially in the sails market. I think I heard that a new Spi for a spit is around the £800 mark where a Landy for a F16 is closer £600 and GP Sails Spi's are slightly cheaper again at present!!

There are many reasons we chose a Spitfire when we did, coming from an RS800 skiff we still wanted to go fast, very fast. The test ride in a force 4 blew us away we had to have one <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> We wanted a new one (I like new boats) and being several thousand pounds we could not quite afford it.
I asked Reg White if I could trade in my RS against a new Spit. sadly they did not do trade ins.
The Spit had not long been launched and they were keen to promote it so Reg let me delay payment of a portion of the cost until I had sold my dinghy. Too good to miss, so we went for it.(dont ask for this now though!!!)
F18 at the time were dearer, much heavier to pull up our shingle beach and not really much faster. My crew has arthritis so lighter loads were needed too.
Since then the F18 has got massively faster with each new design so Im happy to stick with my one design, and not see my boat de-value so much.
Interestingly enough the best thing about the class was and still is the friendly helpfull nature of the sailors.
It is a joy to meet up with them every month or so and race.
Many are now good friends. Reg White of course is a god. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
Single-handed......? Ive done it in light winds which was fun and been left alone when I lost my crew in a 5 which was not <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
When I first bought there was no F16 circuit and I didnt like the look of the early Stealth with its sticky up front (like the later ones and the Blade though)
Definately try each design first, there is a boat to suit you out there!
happy sailing
Gary

Huw
If you ever want to test sail a Stealth F16 either email me on mark@sailwave.com or send a PM. Swansea/Mumbles is only a couple of hours away.

Naaaaah thats tosh, about £600 inc Vat, bought one recently.
How much did it cost you to have yours altered?
I recall you have made it flatter like a Spit!!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

good sailing Mark
Gary

Just curious as you have bought a new Spitfire spi recently. Are Hyde Sails still building them, and have the luff now been reinforced with a heavier cloth or a spectra line? There was some talk about the luff stretching badly some time ago and I was wondering it this still was an issue or if it was a just a specific batch of spis?

Hi Rolf
A couple of years ago now the cloth was changed to a more 'slippery' type. The problem was mainly that the downhaul line was rubbing on the cloth, particularly on port hand drops and the friction was wearing little 'burns' in the area below the bottom patch.
The very early Spits launched the kite from a bag on the tramp so this didn't happen. It only showed up when the chutes were added.
The class and builders agreed to supply all new kites in the new cloth, older kites could still be used and a big discount was offered if anyone wanted to upgrade to a new one.
It sorted the problem and the kites wear much better and slip into the chute better too <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Hydes still supply the sails.

gary

dont think there was a luff stretching issue

'Fraid there was <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> - But they have a luff line fitted now <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

No worries Gary, I only thought I'd mention it because a friend of mine was looking to buy a Spit but when they looked into the costs of new bits he thought they were rather expensive but I don't know where he got his information from. Like wise may be I should clarify that I have had my main re-cut (flattened) and have also ordered a new Spi from GP Sails which will be of a similar shape to the Spit as Grant has had some experience making Spit Spi's.
P.S You and the Spit Travellers are more than welcome to join us at Mumbles for one of our Opens, I sent Alex an email weeks ago but haven't heard anything since.

ooh though that was always there, mine are.

yes all boat bits seem expensive <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
would love to do some Mumbling one year, there are a fair few Spit opens this year though.
Maybe we could get together next year and have a joint open?
Think Alex is on holiday. lucky s-d.

gary

I'll echo that all boat bits seem expensive. A few handy tips: Don't bang your boards and rudders into rocks or mooring lines - sorry, seem obvious, but it took me a while to sail that little bit more carefully. Or find someone who is good at repairs! As for booms and spinni poles, let's just say there are other ways of aquiring black anodised tubing, and a couple of hours later you've got some very cheap spares. (and when you have spares, you seem to overcome the need for them!). Spinni: Grant Piggot does a fantastic 'club racing' spinni (same shape and material). And even though his prices are competitive, Swell's are not that much more - nowhere near £600! He also made me a jib, cheaper than Swell's and lasting many times longer. A club-mate has a main from Grant as well - which means of course you can have a fatter head if you want. All at competitive prices (and again, your official sails will last for years if used only in the official events). You'll also find Cat Bitz are doing more spares as time goes by. You only HAVE to have the official parts for official events - the rest of the time, use your imagination!