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Post by brianpickton on Aug 21, 2007 7:05:21 GMT -4
And that brings us to Chester Race Week, and perhaps the less said about that the better, although I think I can safely conclude by saying that I have now done Chester Race Week twice, this being the first and last time.
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Post by brianpickton on Aug 23, 2007 7:44:11 GMT -4
Last night we sailed Vital Spark in her first Wednesday night regatta and the boat took a first in A fleet. I can take none of the credit,because with Alan Barnes at the helm and his nephew Mark Langlois trimming my job was to stay out of the way and to act as movable ballast. Both Alan and Mark have impressive sailing resumes, unlike yours truly, so don't expect to see the same result next week! Like most new boats I expect it will take me 2-3 years to get up to my best speed, which will never compare to the likes of Alan and Mark's ability.
Did I mention that the Rocket has met or exceeded even my wildest expectations?
The plan is that if anyone wants a Rocket they can either get one directly from the manufacturer or I will sell them mine for what it cost to get it here: Sitting on a high quality Road Runner trailer equipped with surge brakes, 4 brand new sails including 2 asso's, a wireless TackTick Race Master system with a micro net remote display and a custom boat cover designed to be used for traveling that fits the boat like a glove, my cost was $56,870.13.
I'll sell the boat for exactly $50,786.00 which represents a 12.5% discount on the explicit understanding that as soon as this boat is sold I will immediately order another one in order to help build a one design fleet.
Other purchase options to consider: It only takes 2 people to sail the boat and 3 guys can sail this boat very well. Four is a crowd. That being the case, consider that the loan cost for 3 guys would run about $130 a month each to finance a purchase.
Another thing that is in discussion at Rocket Boats is arranging group discounts. At present what they are talking about is that if a group of 3 boats are ordered at the same time they will arrange a discount on the purchase price for the new owners. Something to think about over the winter for all you guys and gals out there who are tired of sailing old, slow lead mines and want to put some fun back into their sailing. Anyone who wants to check out the Rocket need only come down to the DYC to see one live and in person. Send me a note and I will arrange to meet you to answer any questions you might like to ask.
In the meantime I plan to enter it in the Silver Sail and Bean Crock Regattas. See you on the water.
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Post by runninwild on Aug 23, 2007 17:12:24 GMT -4
So I guess your back to being happy with the 130 rating..If it was 125 I would have hate to see the corrected time..haha
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Post by brianpickton on Aug 24, 2007 13:51:10 GMT -4
OK, that was a fair shot. Cruel, but fair just because Valour and Climax had a slow race... Hahaha...
Actually looking things over I think the boat should rate about 9 seconds slower than the Melges 24. Obviously the only relevant comparisons are boat for boat when looking at sport boats, and looking at fleets elsewhere that gives a pretty consistent picture. The Rocket in Pacific NW PHRF where it has raced the most at a PHRF of 105 and the Melges at 99 hasn't taken any races off the M-24 yet, even with Alan Barnes at the helm and driving the boat for all it is worth, racing against the best of the M-24 sailors on the left coast. That tells me that at 105 the rating is still a little too rich and should be adjusted to about a PHRF of 108, which is what it is in PHRF SW out of Texas, BTW. Let's see, at 108 the ASPN rating would be...124.
Would you believe the boat has PHRF of 113 in BC? That would be an ASPN of 122...Oh, hahaha ...in my dreams ;-) To think when I was buying the boat that is what I expected the rating to be.
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