Weta 4.4m Sports Trimaran Sailability Report
EDITORIAL REVIEW
Report by wheelchair user Mike Wood, spinal injury at C6/7, paralysed from chest down with partial use of hands, good triceps and biceps and some lats.
UPDATE 30 JUNE 2008 - We have now sailed the Weta in many varied conditions and I rate it the most versatile, exciting AND most comfortable dinghy I have sailed to date.
Although NOT designed specifically for disabled people the design has enormous potential for them. We used an after market DSA designed seat and lever steering and found it superb.
We have seen pictures of Wetas being pitchpoled and capsized and although we have tried very hard in (25 knot winds) we have not been able to do it yet.... We keep trying but so far in high winds it just gives an amazing performance and simply refuses to misbehave. We had one hull submerged for minutes at a time but all it did was slow the boat down.
My opinion is that having a seated crew on the centreline effectively stabilises and dampens (pun intended - it is a very wet boat in a blow) the actions of the boat making it quite well mannered. The acceleration, especially from a jibe in 25 knots is awesome and its rate of turn is amazing. Tuning for more performance... forget it.. sheet in and hold on tight.
| QUOTE FROM WEBSITE....... VERSATILE Sail the Weta single-handed or in any combination of kids, teens and adults - the Weta accommodates up to three adults easily. Use various main, jib and screecher sail options to suit yourself and the conditions. The Weta is a very exciting, versatile recreational yacht. Sail the Weta like a skiff, fully powered upwind then take the jib off and let the kids have a blast.0 |
Importers website and prices = www.wetamarine.co.uk
Manufacturers website = www.wetamarine.com
UK Class Association = www.weta.org.uk
My judgement ‘the most versatile and fun dinghy I have ever sailed...
maybe better than a Hobie’
10/10 - As a boat for all types of disabilities – very very easy to add what ever you need in the way of seats or mods to controls, stable yet exciting, very comfortable.
10/10 - As a boat for experienced disabled sailors – with the three sails to play with, its speed and rate of turn (it is very nimble) there is not a lot of time to worry about real fine tuning, but boat balance, dagger board position are important to get the very best results.
9/10 - As a training boat – this is a very versatile and stable platform and ideal for training as it performs well with any sail combination and there is ample room for an instructor. I only drop it a point as some clubs will not allow multihuls.
10/10 - Ease of rigging - very easy indeed, slot in outriggers held on with ties, carbon two piece mast is a doddle, all lines colour coded.
10/10 - Ease of transport and launching – Considerable thought has gone into this and it is obvious by its simplicity and ease in every aspect..
10/10 - Controls - very simple, very easy and nice to use, very easy to adapt for disabled people.
10/10 - Quality of fittings and build – I am being very very picky if you look very carefully you can find blemishes but nothing even remotely bad. Stitching on nets is hard on bare knees.
9/10 - Getting in and out - very easy for almost everyone, I knock off a point as some lifts will not be able to reach the cockpit.
10/10 - Sailing qualities – I found it wonderful in all conditions, such a versatile little boat.
10/10 - As a club boat – Simple and easy to rig and launch, crew by one to four people, super performance, will sail well with any combination of sail set up, very very good club boat.
SCORES 98/100 ON THE BOAT CHART
Previous page: Weta 4.4m Sports Trimaran - Specifications
Next page: Weta 4.4m Sports Trimaran - Video Image Gallery