As a fat lad at the back of the boat I was wondering which designs are capable of carrying a lot of weight (of course we understand that 30+ stone is not going to win much but some designs must be better than others). From the design guide "Bad Company" looks like a candidate?

Bad company's were great in light to medium conditions, they had a tendency to be a little slow on the plane but were terrific to windward in all conditions. good weight carriers though. I had one for quite a few years and on inland waters went very well.

early ones were built by Rowsell, then two very quick ones, in the Haynes hands, by Smart, one from Winder, and rest from Boatcraft if I remember rightly.The Boatcraft ones had the lower forward tank so should be better for deck stepping and carbon if you go down that route.

Rob - with your knowledge was Spring Fever one of these boats? - I have been trying to acquire this boat to rebuild it - was under the impression it was Harry's old boat?

I believe Rob Inglis, who designed Bad Company, used the then state of the Art naval architecture software at Imperial College to produce a design with a very low Prismatic coefficient, (the hull volume is concentrated in the centre of the boat), which in turn gives a low wetted area for a given displacement. This tends to reduce hull drag at medium displacement speeds, then increases it as you approach planing speed, hence the "slow to plane" comments, and the "great in light to medium winds". I think(?) there was a further development of Bad Company, but don't know if any were ever built.

Carl - yes Spring Fever was one of the Smart Bad Companys and was sailed by Harry Haynes. Kevin sailed the sistership Bullet. The forum comments are spot on regarding the boats performance - I think we finished the 1979 season sailing with about 28 stone and won the Silver Tiller ...... ah happy heavyweight days!!

A good nsmII will take a large amount of weight in the back, I normall sail with 26-33 stone in it, and it wasn't that far of the midfleet pace.
The other new design that takes weight is the Steppen wolf, there are only 2 to my knowledge, Ian Holt desined this for the more well built sailor.

As scotty says Spring Fever was Harrys boat, very quick in its day inland.

Kevins boat was a modified BC design by Smart, called Bullet. I think one other was built but I not sure who by

Thanks guys, guess I will be looking for a Bad Company then at the end of the season...

What they haven't told you is that bad company's are a nightmare down wind in blow, If you do get one and your a club level sailor (ie not a S.T. winner) invest in a very very good drysuit and boyance aid as you WILL need them!!

Why don't you just join a gym or get a light crew?

I say - that's a bit harsh... cruel but fair. As to "downwind in a blow" - different planet mate, I'll be in the bar.

I say - that's a bit harsh... cruel but fair. As to "downwind in a blow" - different planet mate, I'll be in the bar.

Just got back from 1st Wednesday evening sailing. 15mph wind, overall weight 27-30 stone!! Sail Turner Canterbury Tales and went like a dream. If the CT on the For Sale list is out of your budget, there is the Niane design at £1450. Based on CT design but modified for heavyweights. 

Hope this helps?

Good luck

Re the Niane: What's all that about deck and hog stepped masts?  Has it been converted and you're getting a bonus hog-step mast or has it not been converted and you get a bonus deck-step.

If the boat is as nice as the Ron Hall Tales at our club it'll be a lovely boat.