There are a number of advantages of buying a new all-plastic boat, but also a few drawbacks. I am no expert on all the features of these new boats and am only repeating comments made by others.
- Less maintenance with the all-plastic boats. Wooden decks/hulls require constant care, it is believed that the all-plastic boat will need less looking after.
- Everything works perfectly! On 2nd hand boats there is always some piece of gear that can’t be got to work effectively.
- Plastic deck allows the builder to make the boat ends very light and to concentrate weight in the middle of the boat. This is believed to make the boat more responsive and hence faster.
- Some claim that a lighter crew gives the same leverage in an all-plastic boats as in other types of Fireball, e.g. a 12 stone crew in an all-plastic boat gives the same leverage as a 12.5 stone crew in other boats.
- If and when the class rules are changed to reduce the minimum weight of boats, the new boats can be easily reduced in weight. In the side tanks of new boats there is a lump of sand/glue which brings these boats up to minimum weight, if the rules are changed this sand will be easily chiselled out thus reducing weight.
- Just as people trade up their cars so as to maintain value, it also makes sense to trade up a boat every few years.
There are a few disadvantages:
- The deck is not as sturdy as a wooden deck and is easily dented if, for instance, the pole is dropped onto the deck in a rushed gybe.
- They are bloody expensive toys!!!
- Some claim that the all-plastic boats are slower in light airs than other Fireballs, also that all-plastic boats are slow on a run. However, these comments do not apply to Louis and Francis who seem to go fast in all conditions.
Winder and others claim that the all-plastic boats are "as fast as" composite (wooden deck/fibreglass hull) boats. This is reassuring to owners of composite boats who might fear that their boats have become uncompetitive. It is an issue for debate whether this claim is true or just good politics.
Mick Creighton, 14719 (an all-plastic boat!!!!)
