Thinking of buying one for single handed plus spini

anyone any comments - good/bad otherwise



Huw

Bristol Channel UK

I would highly recommend that you take a test-sail if at all possible, on both the FX1 and the Inter17 and compare them.



I haven't seen the FX1 here in San Diego, CA, but I have seen the Fox and it did not seem as nice as the I20 (which I have). I have sailed the I17 and it is nearly identical to the I20 in all respects (w/o a jib, of course).



The Inter's are very, very nice boats, much nicer than previous boats I've sailed (several Hobies and Prindles). They have put a lot of thought into making them very user-friendly, in addition to having outstanding performance. After riding with friends on their I20's, getting back on my previous P19 felt like driving a truck in comparison. It took me 3 years of drooling over them, but I finally got one.

Try it for yourself and you'll be convinced too.



Sail fast and have fun,

Alan Thompson

I20 - San Diego

Yes the Inter17 is on the list - but there aren't many around in the Uk to race. The FX1 sail went well - flying hull singlehanded in a F2 uphill and downhill.



Fittings seem quality and robust - took a different style of sailing to get going - lots of tweeking out/down haul/mast rotation on each leg, and i was lying in the front of the tramp forward of the daggerboads to keep the stern out.



Seemed responsive without being twitchy.

I did capsize (intentionally) but my 14s with righting line needed a little help from the RIB safety boat. If I buy this I will need the frame when I solo in F2 ( particularly as I insist on spending my time on the leeward hull (single man's wild thing) at every opportunity.



Those of you F16 fans - as the following comparisons show the FX1 and (Spitfire) are quite similar: - taking from manufact. brochure



length 5.25m (5m)

beam 2.55m (2.52)

Mast 8.5 (8.5)

Sailing Weight 135kg (139)



Main 16 sqm (15.5)

Spinaker 19m2 (18m2)



SCHS 1.09 (1.04)



Why am I going to find the spitfire any easier to right singlehanded in F2 ??



Huw

Depends on the mast weight. I don't know how the Spitfire behaves when righting. I do know that FX-one was very difficult to right. I couldn't do it at 180 lbs = 13,5 stone.



To compare :



F16 boats



Bim F16 carbon mast weight = about 9 kg's

Taipan 4.9 alu mast weight = about 13,5 kg's

Stealth F16 carbon mast weight = about 10 kg's



I expect the Spitfire to be a little bit heavier than the Taipan mast. Something like 15-16 kg's, but this is just a rough estimate. I really don't know what to think of the FX-one mast weight.



Wouter