The VX One is one the new generation of hybrid racing designs, in this case a design that targets the longer (17' to 19' or 5 to 5.8 meters) dinghy market in the U.S.. The VX One is that modern mashup of dinghy, skiff, and keeler concepts. It borrows most from the skiff world; the fat arse, narrow bow sections, flat rocker, assymetric and roachy full-battened sailplan. To calm it down a bit, it has a lifting keel of about 60 kg (135 lbs.). The VX One's length, sail area, overall weight and, no hiking assists, it is raced as a hiking sailboat, puts it out there as a modern market alternative to America's longer traditional hiking dinghy classes; the Lightning, Thistle, and Flying Scot. Conceived and designed by Brian Bennett, with naval architect data crunching by Rodger Martin (who also did the Johnson 18 in the early 1990's) and Ross Weene, the VX One seems to have maintained steady growth in the U.S. since 2011. Though I couldn't find a price on the InterWebs, The VX One seems to be pricier than any of the aforementioned traditional large dinghies, and definitely more balls-to-the-wall than family oriented racing. Is this hybrid concept the way of the future in America small boat racing, where we seem to treasure both stability and performance?
Here is a very nice video of the VX One with the obligatory planing-at-full-speed filling up most of the footage.
Best of VX One Sailing from Ian Maccini on Vimeo.
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6 comments:
Do you need a crash helmet and body armour to sail one of these??
Alden,
Though the speed offwind of the VX One is very impressive, it doesn't have that hyper wave-jumping upper gear of a true skiff where a crash helmet and body armor is probably a good idea. (Videos of 49'ers wiping out show the crew being flung about 2/3 mast length, which is a not-so-good speed to be hitting anything.)
Pretty sure the VX 1 is designed by Brian Bennet who designed the Viper.
Tom,
Interesting. You are right that Brian Bennet is listed as the designer in several websites and his company is the source of the VX One. But if I go to Roger Martin's website, he lists the VX as his own design.
It may be the VX One was sufficiently tweaked to move it outside of Roger Martin's original VX design and now is marketed as a Brian Bennet design. From the photos the hull looks identical.
Tom,
I contacted Rodger Martin and he did confirm that Brian Bennett is the lead guy in the concept and design. Rodger Martin Naval Architects, Southern Spars, and Harken were the rest of the team that put the VX One together. I've made the changes in the main post.
It's crying out for a trapeze, though..........
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