From the Feedback - 1st November 2000

The latest words from you ...

Anyone can join in with our From the Feedback features, all you have to do is click on the blue question link at the bottom of each article, or hit the My Feedback button at the top of every page. Tell us what you think, and don't feel you have to wait for us or someone else to get around to a topic. If something is steaming you up in your class, club or pub - let us know.
We'll be publishing the choicest moments from the stuff you send us - but each contribution may or may not be subjected to a rigorous process of editing for language, taste and imparted wisdom. And of course, as they so famously say at the start of anything like this, the opinions expressed in From the Feedback do not necessarily reflect those of the management, staff or investors of madforsport.com. Instead, and much more importantly, they reflect your views.

From Matthew Barton

In response to your question are the International 14s developing fast enough? - from my point of view as someone who has always sailed one designs, currently an RS600, I would have thought that the biggest danger to a development class would be to develop too fast, thereby grandfathering much of the fleet far too quickly. Looking in on the 14 fleet as someone keen to get one, the prospect of an arms race is not appealing. But being able to race people in broadly similar designs (Ovi 1, Ovi 2, Morrison 8, Beiker 2 etc) of this awsome boat is appealing.

From some Spice Addicts

If you're gonna have a trapeze, you may as well have two .... If you're gonna have an asymmetric, you may as well have a big'n! My brother and I have been sailing our second-hand Spice all summer and have become shockingly addicted. It is the perfect boat for those that are aware that fast is fun, but realise that you can't start off in a 49er!

From Ruth Verrier Jones

Yes, they have picked the right people for the 2001 Team Racing Worlds, but it would be nice if the crews were mentioned too. None of the mentioned helms would sail with 'any old crew'. They will have practised with a carefully chosen crew. The pairs' performance would have been considered as a whole, not just the helms performance, when the selectors were considering the squad. I realise that with team racing much of the success does lie with the helm, but I'm sure all the helms will agree it would be nice if us crews were mentioned too!

From C Douding

The documentary (on the Hobart) was interesting and the footage of the conditions and rescues was awesome. However, I suspect that some of the more interesting details relating to seaworthiness of boats and crews were not aired. Some may have feared insurance claims would not be met. For example, it was reported in the Australian press the Winston Churchill appeared to have some working planking below the waterline before the race and that her liferafts were aging and of a design unsuited to the conditions in which they were deployed. The Coroners report should be more revealing.

Editor's Note: I've not read any of the Australian press reports, and can't comment on that, but I certainly agree that the Coroner's Enquiry should be the most valuable report on the tragedy.

From Matt Critchley

Having sailed the B14 for two years, I would say that it is a mix - being a twitchy boat which demands high levels of physical fitness. Since then, I have returned to the RS400 and have now also got an RS800. Of these, the B14 is the most enjoyable to sail, the RS400 gives greater competition and the RS800 is just a blast in strong winds!

From Andy Service and Rob Wilder

What makes the B14 so popular in the UK? It's basically a mini-18 Foot Skiff, there is no other asymmetric boat like it. Initiated as the Extrovert or Exocet ( this name was not used because of the loss of Royal Navy frigates such as the Sheffield to these types of missile) - however it's still like riding one. I often wonder what it would be like with a trapeze, the B14e - better ask Chip's Howarth at Holt's!