Homehttp://www.webjam.com/k1sailing/$blog/2009-09-16T13:02:00Zhttp://www.webjam.com/enHow to Save £10,000 on your next K6 or F15 . . .http://www.webjam.com/k1sailing/$blog/2009/09/16/how_to_save_10000_on_your_next_k6_or_f15___http://www.webjam.com/k1sailing/$blog/2009/09/16/how_to_save_10000_on_your_next_k6_or_f15___#Comments2009-09-16T13:02:00Zhttp://www.webjam.com/k1sailing/$blog/2009/09/16/how_to_save_10000_on_your_next_k6_or_f15___How do you save £10,000 on your next K6 or F15? Well . . . take a look at the new K1 design from the pen of designer Paul Handley. The K1 is a single-handed performance keelboat which is on offer at the Southampton Boat Show for £4,950 incl VAT and sails.

Now, this represents a saving of at least £10,000 compared to the two man K6 and F15 keelboats and you do not need to find a crew! So for downsizing to the 4.57m (15ft) K1 you save around £2,000 to £3,000 a foot. And even if upsizing from a single hander such as the Solo you save a couple of thou.



This unique mini yacht has a lifting keel with bulb weighing 60kg yet its all-up weight of 124Kg is little more than a conventional single-handed dinghy. The hull is constructed using the latest resin infusion techniques to minimise weight and the carbon spars are ultra light and responsive. 

The slender hull has little resistance when heeled so is quick and tacks through a very low angle. The jib is set on a self-tacking jib pole and the cockpit is deep and comfortable when sitting on the deck edge. A transom strop for the mainsheet and without a centreboard box means the cockpit is clutter free.

Talking to Paul at the show, he enlarged on the past experiences that have filtered through in the new design. Sailing a Firefly singlehanded (as used in the 1948 Olympics) made him aware of the added interest with two sails and his childhood sailing on traditional Broads boats, shows in the self-tacking poled jib system.



The K1 shows its family link to Paul's earlier K6 keelboat for RS. Slim for its length, with an all carbon rig, like the K6 it uses a block and tackle to raise the 1.1m keel for recovery. Unlike the two man keelboats, the K1 does not have a spinnaker. Paul feels the two sail fore and aft rig provides enough for the average sailor to cope with and that the high pointing ability and fast reaching will provide plenty of excitement.

New mylar sails by Hyde were being delivered for the K1 on Tuesday at the show, so if you get along later this week you should see them on the prototype at the Vandercfraft Stand (B066). Hopefully this will provide a more upto date look and performance than the Firefly sails that have been the test rig.



Straight after the show, new plugs will be made and the first hull is expected to be available in early December and both K1 will be racing at the London Boat Show race and also on the Hyde stand there. - GJN

Length - - 4.57m (15ft)
Beam - - 1.22m (4ft) 
Hull weight - - 45kg
Keel weight - - 60kg
Sailing weight - - 125kg
Sail area - - 11sqm

Test sails will be available from December and further information is available at www.K1sailing.com or contact Vandercraft 01404 891 913 or 07971 404 617

Full story at http://www.K1sailing.com

]]>K1 sailing launch high performance single-handed keelboat at Southampton Boat Showhttp://www.webjam.com/k1sailing/$blog/2009/09/14/k1_sailing_launch_high_performance_singlehanded_keelboat_at_southampton_boat_showhttp://www.webjam.com/k1sailing/$blog/2009/09/14/k1_sailing_launch_high_performance_singlehanded_keelboat_at_southampton_boat_show#Comments2009-09-14T23:04:00Z"k1 sailing"http://www.webjam.com/k1sailing/$blog/2009/09/14/k1_sailing_launch_high_performance_singlehanded_keelboat_at_southampton_boat_showK1sailing.com

The K1 heralds a new era of single-handed sailing combining speed, style and ease of sailing.This unique mini yacht has a lifting keel with bulb weighing 60kg yet its all up weight with carbon spars and light-weight hull is little more than a conventional single-handed dinghy.

The slender hull has little resistance when heeled and tacks through a very low angle.

The result is a joy to sail and guaranteed to provide effortless sailing and close tactical racing.

The introductory price is just £4950 (incl. VAT) and sails.

See the K1 prototype at the Southampton Boat Show - stand BO66

 

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