Scott Vernon wrote:
Would shortening sail help? Can it be done on the 470?

Not as usually rigged. It's got a low boom and a bendy mast. You could
put a jiffy reef on it, but it would be difficult to tie in while underway.


Maxprop wrote:
I think the *original* spaghetti factory was the Flying Dutchman.

Ah yes. I stand corrected.


... One sailor in our fleet actually
got dragged behind his FD after falling overboard with lines wrapped around
one of his legs.

That's not such an unusal trick. I've done that on a number of boats
including a JY-15, not really much spaghetti on that one.


And we always seemed to have lines trailing out the
Elvstrom bailers.

Yeah, that's one reason why I hate Elvstrom bailers. They're a great
example of 1950s technology; better than heavy boats with no flotation
and no self-bailers but when you could have a fully self-rescuing, dry
cockpit, open transom, whatever... why???


.... I've heard 470s described as mini-FDs on occasion, I
think more for the mess of lines in the cockpit rather than any similarity
in appearance or performance.

I think the 470 is a little more power per pound, but the Dutchman is a
faster more powerful boat overall. Beautiful, too. Both FD & 470 could
benefit from an update... square head main, double trap, big A-sail...
yee haw!

... The Tempest is another spaghetti factory.

I never liked the Tempest that much. It's a nice boat but it's really a
big 2-person show-off machine. The only benefit it gains from the size
& the keel is that it's better for open water & rougher conditions...
except that they're all old and creaky at this point. Give me a Star or
a Johnson 18 (wait a minute... already got one) or a 505... or a 470 for
that matter!

Fresh Breezes- Doug King