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Couldn’t make the dinghy show but was sent some pictures of the new wayfarer. Very clean looking design and clearly built down to a price. I just wonder what the weight distribution will be like with nothing in either end? Could be faster than anything…… Will wait and see, but not rushing out with my chequebook
I don’t think that the new boat was shown in the best way as it didn’t seem to be a complete boat that was on display, missing self bailers and alot of set up was missing.
but it did look shiny
… well it was hot off the shelf and therefore not fitted out; but i can still feel my arm being bent to buy one (by my crew that is! doesn’t like this woody painting and varnish business)
I’ve got to say that it does look modern – especially from the front. They have done a good job, but I think I will hang on to the old London bus (as W33 is unkindly referred to at Ardeligh).
This could be a design that grows on you. I liked it more the second time I looked at the pictures but as matt says – very shiny (= very slippery)
I was impressed with the Hartley Wayfarer. For all the chuntering and concerns about the impact on second hand values, the Class had to make a bold step forward or else begin a long and painful decline. I believe Phil Morrison has breathed some life into the boat with a design incorporating features which make upgrading a worthwhile option. We now have a boat which looks good, should go well, suits racers and cruisers alike, is a genuine self drainer and thus your race is not over if you do have a capsize. It offers equal opportunity for all who race it, by levelling the playing field and making it more likely that if you are at the back you have only yourself to blame.
It seems the Sailing Schools are interested. This should be a cause for celebration. We have the opportunity to see our Class moving forward with a product which makes very good comparison with any of the plastic tubs coming from the mass producers.
All this is conjecture of course. We will not know the truth until we see the likes of Ian Porter, (who incidentally was a very relaxed Ian at the show), and Mark and Richard Hartley, take to the water and demonstrate how good the new boat is.
I was at the show all weekend representing a different class. The new Wayfarer was the talk of the show. The incorporation of design features which other classes are considering made it of interest to many.
If expectations are matched, I think we will see many out there on the water and a new batch of members to reverse our dwindling Association numbers. What other craft out there has the potential for loyalty from beginner to highly competitive fleet racer, from fun dayboat sailor with family and dog on board to cross channel lunacy.
Key to all this must be an Association working as a team in support of progress. Please don’t dwell upon the past and cling to fear of change, the latter is like a lifebelt from which the air is fast escaping.I have just got to agree with the message above. In another email to someone I said that the sailing schools will love this one. It should knock the others into a cocked hat. Look at the formula:
Wayfarer durability and ease of sailing
+
Price
+
Self draining
+
clean modern looks
=
A winner for everyone. Many people love wayfarers because they learnt in them. Crack the sailing school market again and there will always be people wanting oneAdd to that the inherent stiffness and I think we have a winner here. Too many people (myself included) have dwelled on the past. Let’s look to the future and drive this class forward.
Due credit to everyone involved for developing this antidote to slow death. Anyone bringing one down to the Easter Egg????
@Septimus Fry wrote:
I What other craft out there has the potential for loyalty from beginner to highly competitive fleet racer, from fun dayboat sailor with family and dog on board to cross channel lunacy.
Yes – it is called a Laser Stratos and IMHO it is an utter dog!!!!
Sorry – couldn’t resist it, but my own W is regularly seen on the water against a Stratos (same colour red) and everyone comments on beauty versus the beast
does any ony know what the differences between the new stlye and the old stlye
I tried to figure them out but apart from the obvious (what look like grab handles the the insideof the hull and the transom) I cannot find or remember any others.
can anyone remember?
Here are some more pictures of the new Hartley Wayfarer as seen at the Dinghy Show.
The hull is self draining through transom flaps and self bailers. The floor is lower and the side decks are wider than a Wayfarer World, which IMHO will be seen by many as a plus point, similar to the original Wayfarer. The gunwale appears wider. There is a small rear buoyancy tank. The foredeck is flatter than previously, with a spinnaker chute. Options are expected to include foredeck spray deflectors, rear seats, rear storage, outboard pad etc. The boat looks very modern and completely up to date in design.
Dave8181
It looks moderm – I like it – I also can’t afford the £9500 to get a decent racing spec boat. However, it must be said that this is cheaper and probably built than one of the others. I wonder what the weight comes in at and how did they get it up to weight?
Looking for a retirement present to myself, I could hadly wait to see the new model at the dinghy show.
I was disapointed to find the cruising version wasnt there.
Time was clearly a problem and the boat on display, had rather obviously been cobbled together.
The earlier promise of properly jigged manufacture helpled me to keep faith.
My main concern however was the flexibility of the hull, which appeared to be very thin indeed compared to my much older version.
I would like to be clear in that I am not by any means an expert in boat building and maybe people here can help alay my fears, but this boat gave me the impression of being rather flimsy compared to my 79 model.
My cheque book remains in my pocket, in the hope that time will sort these matters out.
A little harsh to say it had been cobbled together.
I thought the builders had done an impressive job to come up with a new boat in the time and to the price.
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