The
new Megabyte single-hander is also known as the 'Gentleman's Finn'
because it's aimed at the heavier sailor. We picked a windy day
at Datchet to see if it has the same star qualities.
Designers Ian Bruce, Bruce Farr and Russ Bowler have come up with
a dinghy for the heavier sailor - a section of the market not flooded
with designs. While the likes of the Phantom, SuperNova and, of
course, the Finn continue to flourish, there are not many single-handers
designed for sailors heavier than 11 stone that can still perform
well on the racecourse. As well as its weight-carrying qualities,
the designers wanted a boat light enough be transported on a car
roof and spacious enough to allow parents to take their children
out and teach them to sail without the fear of being tipped in at
the first puff of a breeze.
With such a specific design brief, it wouldn't have been surprising
to find the Megabyte's aesthetics sacrificed for functionality.
Thankfully, however, the designers have managed to produce a boat
that not only looks pretty, but has every reason to work well too.
The Megabyte is built in Canada by Performance Sailcraft, and the
sole distributor in the UK is The Dinghy Store at Datchet Water
Sailing Club near Slough.
Rigging
Although the Megabyte is relatively easy to rig, I was impressed
with the excellent step-by-step rigging leaflet that comes with
the boat. It's clear, concise, well illustrated and one of the best
rigging guides I've seen to accompany any new boat. As explained
on the video clip, rigging the Megabyte is child's play. Simply
slot the two sections of the 10kg carbonfibre mast together, step
it in the foot well, attach the head of the mainsail to the halyard
and hoist it. Because there is a natty mainsail lock at the mast
head, it is important to remember to pull the halyard forward to
lock it in position once the main is hoisted. Once the mainsail's
up, put the loose end of the halyard in the pocket on the sail,
attach the outhaul to the end of the boom, slot the boom on to the
gooseneck, thread the cunningham, attach the 12:1 cascade kicking
strap and you're ready to go. The daggerboard-type rudder is aluminium
with an extruded foam core so it is very light and strong.
Clean cockpit layout showing centre mainsheet
traveller.
On the water
Because the Megabyte weighs just 60kg, she's easy to handle on the
shore, which is always a plus point, particularly if you intend
to sail single-handed. Fortunately, we were blessed with a fresh
breeze on our test day at Datchet Water, so I was able to really
put the Megabyte through her paces and find out if she could meet
my high expectations. The first things that struck me were her incredibly
light helm in the gusty conditions and her ability to power upwind.
At nine-and-a-half stone, I was far too light to get the best from
the Megabye. However, features such as the adjustable rigging, mainsheet
traveller, controllable cross-cut Mylar Ullman sail and the flexible
carbonfibre mast meant that I didn't feel overpowered. The boat
has Ronstan fittings throughout and the three major control lines
- kicking strap, outhaul and cunningham - are led back along the
sidedeck. After shredding my hands gripping the mainsheet, I discovered
the cleat on the windward inwhale, which is perfectly position for
use on an upwind leg. Although comfort is not generally a word that's
associated with sitting out, I have to say I was impressed with
the moulding of the wide sidedecks, which have been designed to
keep pain to the minimum! The easily adjustable toe straps also
add to the comfort when sailing. The Megabyte sailed well through
the tacks and thankfully the tiller is short enough to go through
the centre mainsheet gap without getting jammed under the boom.
Bearing off in the frisky breeze was where the Megabyte showed her
true colours. She was well balanced and kept her nose well above
the waterline before taking off on exciting ride downwind. Having
been slipping and generally falling around all over the place, I
thought that the chances of staying upright on the gybe were pretty
slim. However, like all racing dinghies, keeping the Megabyte flat
and fast through the gybe ensures it stays upright.
Capsizing
I was amazed at how difficult the Megabyte was to capsize, even
when the main was fully sheeted and she was over on her gunwale.
And even when she did finally succumb, she came upright very easily,
and thanks to her self-draining hull, she came up dry.
The simple and effective daggerboard-type
rudder.
Hits
The Megabyte is a good-looking, well-balanced and forgiving boat
suitable for heavier sailors. Despite her stability she is exciting
and was a pleasure to sail. I liked the roomy cockpit, quality of
build (no nasty sharp edges) and reasonable £4,700 price tag. Another
plus is the unusual self-draining mast well, which allows water
and any grit to be flushed out. To prevent structural damage from
the mast foot rotating in the well, Performance Sailcraft have designed
a plastic washer-type plate for the mast to sit on. When it starts
to wear it is simply unscrewed and replaced.
Misses
Part of the reason for falling around the boat after gybes was the
lack of non-slip surfaces in the cockpit area. I also felt that
the control lines were positioned too far forward to be of any use
to the racing helmsman. Although the rig looked good, I think the
flexibility of the carbonfibre mast takes too much power from the
sail. While this was ideal for my light weight, I think the heavier
sailor could find the rig slightly underpowered.
The major controls including the kicking
strap (yellow), cunningham (green), and outhaul (red) are
positioned too far forward for singlehanded sailing.
Wish list
A small moulded-in kick bar along the length of the cockpit in the
helmsman's area is all that is needed to rectify the lack of security/non-slip
problem. I'd also like to see the control lines led further aft
so they can be adjusted more easily while racing. And a stiffer
mast might just add a bit more power to the rig.
Lastly, because the Megabyte is effectively an off-the-shelf,
ready-to-sail boat, I'd like to see a combination trailer and cover
included in the price.
Builders: Performance Sailcraft
(Canada) Sole UK Distributors: The Dinghy Store,
Queen Mother Reservoir, Horton Road, Slough, Berks SL3 9NT. Contact: Mike Rogers on 01753 681001.
Price: £4,700 Website:www.dinghystore.co.uk Class association at: Megabyteclass.org
A small kickbar along the centreline floor
would really improve helmsman stability.
Right
to reply
Mike Rogers, Partner, The Dinghy Store
We are really glad that Sue enjoyed her sail on the Mega
Byte so much, as has everyone who has sailed it. We think
that she has summed up the boat and its target sailors well
in the article. Sues idea regarding the kick bar is very interesting
and we have already spoken to Ian Bruce in Canada regarding
this. However, with regards to the control lines, having raced
the boat in varying wind conditions, both on the sea and inland,
I can't say that I have noticed a need to move them, but then
I am a little bigger and a lot heavier than Sue.
The mast works as it has been designed to do, ie to de-power
the sail in a gust. We could have made it stiffer, but then
the lighter weight range of sailors would have found it too
demanding and the boat would have turned into a modern day
Finn and not the Mega Byte.
Lastly, we have worked with West Mersea Trailers and Banks
Sails to come up with a trailer and cover package, so when
you order your new Mega Byte we will also be offering the
complete package, if required.
Once again, Sue, thanks for coming down to Datchet, sailing
the Mega Byte and doing a really honest and considered feature
on her - we can tell you enjoyed the experience.
Right
to reply
