Racing Solo Boats FAQs
Q. How does the Boon FRP Solo differ from its competitors?
A. The completed hull differs in a number of ways. Firstly, by the combination of the materials used in manufacture and the manufacturing techniques adopted by our contract builder Ovington Boats. Their reputation goes before them in many classes including some of the higher profile Olympic classes.
Cosmetically, you will first notice that the deck moulding incorporates the side tanks, the floor of the cockpit and the centre board case as one structural component. Its benefit goes beyond merely cosmetic and extends to providing arguably the stiffest racing Solo currently available.
Other benefits include a maintenance free cockpit floor, where grip in the working area is provided by self adhesive marine grade Tread master flooring.
Q. What is the hull made from and who builds them?
A. Ovington Boats using high grade epoxy combined with the best quality woven fabrics and non absorbent specific density closed cell foam core.
Q. Is the outer skin resistant to knocks and bumps?
A. The woven cloth chosen for the outer skin of the hull was picked specifically to provide a very good level of impact resistance without significant weight gain to the overall finished hull.
Q. How successful is the Boon FRP proving to be?
A. Since launch in June 2007 to March 2009, we have sold in excess of 60 boats and won the Solo Classes blue ribband event, the National Championships at Torbay with a race to spare and with 6 of the 12 races won by Boon Solos. 1st at the Nations Trophy in Holland with 8 straight race wins, 1st at the Winter Championships at Grafham '08 and '09. 1st & 2nd at the Spring Championships at Oxford. 1st & 3rd at the end of season Championships at Draycote. 1st at the Pre champs Weymouth and many open and club race wins.
Q. What can I expect from the fit out?
A great deal of time was spent at the development stage fitting out the finished plug prior to a deck mould being taken. With the expert help of multiple class champion, Jim Hunt, we have provided as standard a market leading specification to include the following:- kicking strap, out haul, Cunningham and loose tack in haul, all continuous. Top quality Harken fittings and pulleys, a curved constant radius traveller full length, and a continuous centre board up haul and down haul with friction brake, a fit out that will more than meet the needs of the most demanding of Solo sailors.
Q. What rig choice do I have?
A. A rig has been specially developed for this boat with the help of Selden Spars, North sails and of course, Jim Hunt (rig guru!) The recommended rig is a D+ section matched with a North T75 or T75K Technora Sail. We can of course supply alternatives, namely, the Cumulus section, the C section, Superspars and Wavelength/Needlespar. A new Needlespar section is currently under development. More on this as it develops.
Q. How do I order my championship winning Solo?
A. You can request a brochure online (top left) or by phone. We would ask you to complete the order form at the back of the brochure and return it to us via post or email with a deposit of £500. You will be issued with a confirmation of your building slot and estimated delivery date.
Q. Will I get my Solo on time?
A. Yes. As manufacture of the hulls is kept well in advance of delivery
Q. Will my Solo be registered and measured?
A. Yes. Each Solo hull provided by us, comes registered, fully measured and setup with correctors fitted.
Q. Do I have a choice of colours?
A. At this point in time, for production reasons and gel coat longevity ie fading, we are currently only offering the designer grey that you see in the pictures. We may include colours at a later date, however it must be borne in mind that darker gel coat colours fade quickly in sunlight and are therefore much more difficult to colour match if you need a repair and can consequently make the boat look older than it is.
Q. What extras are available?
A. These are detailed in the brochure and range from a carbon tiller to match the extension, a purpose made compass bracket to mount a T60 Tacktick designed and placed within easy reach whilst sailing, water bottle, drop nose pin for the mast step, fast pins for the shrouds to name but a few.