New Boon FRP Solo - Developments
Update April 2012
Below :- are the deck and hull on the production floor, in the mould under vacuum of soon to be Solo 5309........ Charlie Cumbleys new Solo. This boat went on to win the Spring Champs one week later on her maiden voyage.
New Upgrades for the 2012 Championship Boon Solo.
Update February 2012
We have been very very busy again this winter working on further improvements to the top spec Boon Solo that you all know. The moulds have undergone a number of changes to modify and improve some areas and to aid production in others. The moulds then under went a complete polish prior to re releasing for production. These changes have been implemented after considerable discussion and feedback from some of the top sailors in the fleet who's opinions we value greatly in helping us keep the boat the best it can be.
Amongst the changes are a new unitary bulkhead moulding for additional stiffness, removal of the rear transom knee that will
now allow for a centre drain bung if required, and makes for easier sponging out. Looks better too!
We have re-worked the thwart/ case top moulding to incorporate built in cleat mounts for the "optional" continuous traveller system and centre plate retract system. Also we have restyled it to look better tailored for the running of the continuous lines.
We have also re-jigged the bailer positions, we still have a self bailer under the thwart on the portside but have moved it closer to the centre line for better efficiency, the original small forward bailer has now been moved to the rear of the centrecase and installed into the keel in a small sump allowed by the depth of the keel. This has the advantage of been hidden under an extended keel band and slot gasket underneath for less drag. This bailer will be particularly efficient on breezier days, and is very conveniently placed for ease of use. Looks very neat! Pic below.
To complete the list we re-styled the transom flap appertures and further tailored the non slip flooring around the new rear bailer.
For 2012 we will be roping out all our boats with Marlow Ropes and use Marlow control line for the endless systems on the finished boat.
Seasure have further improved the very successful alloy stock for us with the carbon tiller tube version further reinforced with a Carbon/Kevlar mix.
Added to the options list alongside the optional North ST1 we now have the North 3DL, a first for the Solo class. this will undoubtedly be a significant step forward for the class.
So the best just got better and all for the same price as last year for the same spec as listed below, no increases now that's got to be good......... If you are interested click here
Pictures below.
Standard specification on your 2011 Boon Solo.
Update April 2011
We never stand still or compromise on the specification of your new Boon Solo. For 2011 the spec has never been better. As you will see below in more detail, some of the developments that have been on going over the winter months. Most of which have now been phased in as standard on your new Boon Solo.
So far this season Boon Solos have helped to win the 2011 Winter Championships, 2011 Spring Championships and more recently the 2011 Welsh Championships and various Open Meetings along the way.
2011 spec as follows :-
1, Each hull is manufactured using SP High Modulus Epoxy resin and the best closed cell foam core.
2, North Dacron sail" Laminate optional" or now available 3DL.
3, Fully moulded cockpit floor and transom
4, CNC, Epoxy moulded closed cell foam core foils.
5, Maintenance free textured rubber floor "marine grade" re- tailored for 2011.
6, Harken Gear throughout.
7, 2:1 constant radius traveller track "Harken low profile"
8, Inhaul "loose tack"led to side deck
9, Cunningham, led to side deck
10, Outhaul, led to side deck
11, Kicker, led to side deck
12, Adjustable padded toestraps with rear set led to side deck
13, New alloy rudder stock with adjustable rake and trail and top fitting toggle. Exclusive to Boon Boats
14, Optional... Continuous Traveller system, now in use on Charlie Cumbleys boat 5202 and Matt Howards boat 5211
15, Optional... Centre plate uphaul led to sides with shock cord down haul. Currently in use on the above boats and Chris Browns 5210.
16, Our own compass mounting for the case top to suit the Tack tick Micro
We also have a comprehensive range of extras to compliment your new Solo along with a
choice of the new range of North breathable covers to suit your requirements.
North Mast Bags, Rudder Bags, twin cradle trailers combi trailers.
Latest Developments December 2010
New Alloy rudder stock completed and ready for production.
Since been voted in at the AGM a lot of work and development has been put into the new alloy rudder stock which has undergone a number of changes. As you can see below the first prototype put before the membership had a solo insignia cut out of the side cheeks and came fitted with a wishbone tiller arm, which proved to be a little heavy.
The wishbone type tiller arm has been changed for a choice of either alloy or carbon tube which will make the stock somewhat lighter. At the request of the committee the cutaway insignia has been removed to leave a solid cheek due to concerns that fingers could have become injured.
To complete the recent modifications the rudder blade will now lock down against an adjustable nylon stop in the front of the stock which will provide fine adjustment to the rake and trail of the blade to suit personal preferences or allow the sailor to experiment, all stocks will also have the option of an up haul and down haul led internally via built in bobbins through to cleats placed on the tiller arm.
Finally no more need for retaining clips. The top fitting on the stock will come with this built in similar to the drop nose pin with a toggle on the end, a nice touch.
The carbon tiller stock will come anodised in black whilst the aluminium tiller version will come in grey as the picture below. We are now in the process of putting our final version in front of the class Chief Measurer for approval prior to commissioning our first production batch, which should be due in February 2011.
PLEASE NOTE :- These stocks will not be class legal until March 2011 and anyone wishing to view one will be able to see one fitted on the back of our display boat on the Solo Class Association stand at the dinghy show 2011. Pictures and pricing to follow shortly.
Latest Developments August 2010
New Alloy rudder stock (PROTOTYPE) for the solo. (All photos below: Steve Boon/ www.boonboats.co.uk )
This has been voted on and accepted at this years AGM 2010. Further development will now be carried out to replace the wishbone tiller arm with a tube to be either alloy or carbon. The new stock will have no cut out in the cheeks as requested by the committee.
Proposal: - For the adoption of an all alloy Rudder stock to the design prototype put before you. It is to be hung of the transom as current stocks with the tiller arm through the transom tiller port. The prototype stock currently has a wishbone tiller arm which could be a further developed for inclusion of a tiller tube alternative. The intention is to provide an off the shelf alternative to current wooden stocks.
Latest Developments May 2010 (New Alloy tooling) Solo
Above is the newly CNC machined foil tooling in the process of being polished ready for production. These foil tools have been fully optimized prior to being digitised and the files handed over to our CNC machinist. Its another improvement step that follows on from our commitment to continually improve and develop our boat to keep it at the head of the fleet.
Above is the same billet tooling as the centre plate being cut for our new Solo rudder blade. The new tools will be used to build our foils to new class regulations re-construction using epoxy and structural closed cell foam.
Latest North Sail Developments April 2010
North Sails are now supplied to us fully measured and self certified in house at the North Loft. As you can see in the picture above the self certified sails all now come with an ISAF label clearly attached.
Did you know ? A Standard Dacron sail is approximately 1kg heavier than its equivalent Laminate variety.
Latest Developments April 2010 (epoxy Solo fixed rudder)
Due to increasing requests for a Solo fixed rudder we decided to enlist the help of a top foil shape designer to optimize the full set of Solo foils for us and digitize them ready for CNC machining. We then enlisted the help of an extremely competent engineering company with the required machinery to cut the optimized digital cad file into the two mirrored tooling plates. This quality of mould tool will give unrivalled accuracy and symmetry in the finished moulding.
The CNC machined tooling is now complete as you can see above and is in the process of been polished and made ready for moulding manufacture.
The unitary moulding will be manufactured in epoxy with a structural foam core to meet the latest rule changes and features a Carbon tiller tube as standard. Due to its design and with no requirement for ancillary fittings the completed item should provide a considerable weight saving over a standard rudder assembly.
Developments April 2009 (new transom mould)
Over the last few months considerable work has been carried out on the transom inner mould to further improve the cosmetic appearance. This has been achieved by the moulding of an individual unit that bonds into place after the deck and hull has been brought together. We feel that this improvement has further enhanced the already clean lines of the boat and given the top rail of the transom unrivalled stiffness.
Developments Jan '09 (flooring)
From the beginning of 2009 we have decided to supplement the Tread master flooring in the working area of the cockpit for a less aggressive, slightly easier on the eye, self adhesive marine grade rubber flooring. In practice it has proved to provide considerably more grip and further enhance the cockpit appearance.
Developments Jan '09 (Selden display boat)
Below is solo 5005, now owned by Martin Hartley. Fitted out with Selden equipment, black magis pro rope and black anodised spars.
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