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I think you have lost the point of my post. Yes there are other classes that people turn to.

The couple that bought my boat, reckoned they would weigh over 24 stone all up. Both fit young twentysomethings in the Navy  - so hardly outrageously portly.

Personally I will be back on the wire on a Nacra 6.0 - perfectly suitable for two guys my weight. I only bought a N12 as a stopgap whilst waiting for a Nacra to come on the market.

My point is....what can be done to address the issue of weight bearing ability in the class, or do you just accept that as people get bigger, you stick to your guns on the rules and see an ever diminishing number of people able to compete in the class?

Dave,

not trying to provoke an outburst of any sorts. However - you hit the nail on the head  - you have given up because you can't find an adult crew and come in at a competetive all up weight.

All the phone calls I had about Bounder fizzled out when weight was discussed. I sold because at 6ft 1" and 17 stone, the boat was too small for me and I required a child crew. The people enquiring also realised that with their normal crew they would come in well over 24 stone.

I think as Phil says, weight carrying is a major problem for the class. I think Phil's suggestion for all up weight with crew makes sense. Unless you go down a radical route to design rig or hull changes to make heavy crews attracted to the class or use all up weight with correctors for lighter crews then people will be put off the class.

A lot of people are interested and would like to sail N12's but they don't because they are too heavy. So they sail other classes..

Pete

Sold!!

Bounder was sold today to Tim Lee and Kirsty Bel.

They are intending to sail her in the Huddersfield area on pond water.

I also got mine from "sail register" breathable polycotton - cheaper than P+B, fits perfectly, excellent service.

Pete

Thanks for the replies,

I hadn't considered the bouyancy aspect - only the weight saving.

I am a six footer and weigh in at about 16 stone - my crew (daughters aged 12 and 13) are slightly built fortunately, but all up weight will be high for the size of boat.

 I haven't capsized in her yet (too skillful or haven't been trying hard enough?  Only sailed her a few times as I got her towards the end of the season)  so don't know how high she floats - she might not be too bad with the volume in the side tanks. I think I had better leave it well alone.

Moving on slightly, I used to sail lasers as a teenager - and so utilised dry capsizing technique - can you do this in a 12 or do they flip too quickly?

Pete

PS I did have masses of photos of it fully rigged - as an aide memoire - I am doing some varnishing later in the week and will stick some pictures on of the rigging - and the rope layout - its got some "mad as a box of frogs" wires that run from the base of the mast on a muscle box, up the front of the mast just below boom level, then the wires run through pullies back down to the connectors at the front of the shroud sliders. This acts as a mast ram type device for straightening the bottom of the mast (I think). Never seen anything like it before - the joys of development classes!

I own a National 12 3352 called Bounder. There are some photos of her on the boat list from when she went on Ebay.

I understand that she is the only one of her design....this is probably explained by the fact that she is the only N12 I have seen with large integral wooden bouyancy tanks. I would imagine this makes her well over the minimum weight - though it does make her comfortable to sail in light airs as they double up as seating.

I am only going to use her for club racing on handicap. Any thoughts on whether it is worth removing the built in wooden bouyancy tanks? They are completely hollow behind the wood with no internal bracing.

Thoughts would be appreciated

Thanks

Pete Hannon

 Hi All,

this is good isn't it! Nice to have history on the boats.

Well, the Bounder is alive and well and has moved from her previous owner on Anglesey - who found her a bit too "tippy" - to Dee sailing club on the Wirral. She is the only 12 at the club but the older sailors are most approving - as are the International Canoe sailors.

She is a delight to sail - having worked out that the easiest way on and off her is via the transom.

I shall post some pics when my daughters and I start racing her this season.

Pete Hannon