D-Zero reviewed in Italy

Thanks to Google translate, here’s the translation for your amusement:

Valencia, Spain-Valencia … We tried the laser of the future. This, in fact, the feeling you have sailing on the D-Zero, the latest idea of ​​Luke Devotees built by the shipyard of Olympian Italian and Roman Teply. One comes easy, aesthetically attractive, lightweight and suitable for a wide range of weight, say from 65 to 87 kg, thanks to the two weapons available. We tested it in the structures of Dinghy Academy, along with Gianmarco Planchesteiner, promise of Laser Italian, and two athletes of the Olympic class Finn, the Uruguayan Alejandro Foglia (eighth in the Laser in London in 2012) and the Russian Alexsey Selivanov. Designed by an emerging designer, English Daniel Holman, and built by the shipyard Devoti Sailing, which already produces the Finn Olympic and D-One, the D-Zero in the price (7,000 Euros complete, arriving in 8000 with all the pockets and cart), performance (17.1 knots touched by Leaf in our test), and ease of use of its best features. The tree without shrouds, divided into two parts for transport, and the boom are in carbon. Rudder and drift are bayonet. The boat has open stern and one emptier resin on the bottom (the truck hauling has therefore a special flare for fracilitare the passage). The mainsail, North Sails One Design, is 8.1 square meters (the rig is reduced to 6.9 square meters) laminate with semi-rigid lightweight design and a nice roach triradiale top guaranteed by the only long cue of the lot. The sail plan is found to be very efficient, thanks to a system of bow / cart mainsail which, together with classical base, vang and cunningham, allows you to find the best way to condition and weight of the helmsman. The adjustment of the rake of the shaft takes place with a classic wedging system, as in the Finn. Note that the hull of the D-Zero weighs only 43 kg for 4.20 overall length and maximum width of 1.42. The laser, as known, weighs 58 kg to 4.23 in length and 1.37 in width and has a sail in the standard version of 7.03 and 5.76 in the version Radial. To change rig just change the lower part of the tree. The immediate visual characteristic of the D-Zero and the characteristic tapered shape of the bow, with two flares on the work life that turn then to the edges that are connected with the open stern and hull very flat at the stern. From the outside the whole appears decidedly sexy, able to intrigue new generations of sailors. The deck equipment is all Harken and adjustments vang, cunningham and base stations, but comodamenbte manageable by the straps, while for the “cart” mainsail aft appears advisable to introduce an elastic recall that in the version we tested was absent. We tried the D-Zero in winds between 8 and 20 knots, with flat water. The first feeling is of extreme lightness and acceleration, what this unusual on a single of these dimensions. The location is convenient to the belts and more similar to that of the laser, all facilitated by the blanket “round”, without rubbing strake (reason on the two sides of the topsides is a section of the grip, to facilitate gripping in the case of capsizing). Very important to find the right position on the axis of the body fore-aft, as the helmsman of the boat is much heavier and helms physically with his attitude. In the D-Zero upwind with 12 knots was slightly faster than the Finn and much faster Lasers present. The rudder is hung at the stern and has an immersion relatively reduced, so that in the early stages of launching must be immersed completely in order to ensure the necessary maneuverability. In stern door like a laser and a Finn, to fall but with small concessions to vmg when needed. Very easy and convenient it is pumping using the hoist the mainsail aft bow / boom, provided that the class rules permit future. A little ‘complex at the beginning to find the right position in aft cockpit, but here it is just take a little’ habit. The D-Zero, in particular conditions and a helmsman trained also manages to glide upwind touching 7 knots. To loose the boat and the feeling is exhilarating acceleration in each burst is immediate, much more than on a laser or a Finn. From what we have seen it seems that the ideal weight can attest to between 76 and 84 kg. Of course, like all boats single, must cinghiare and physical preparation is important. The boat, however, is extremely easy and immediate for helmsmen less athletic and for the master. “What struck me immediately,” said Gianmarco Planchesteiner, “is its ease of handling and speed.” The speed with the water is total, just hoist the mainsail halyard with blocked by a hook on the masthead, to be able to go out to sea and fun. Transportation can be comfortably on the roof of the car, with everything stored in the cockpit, including mast and boom. People used to Finn finds himself in a world of “lightness” very pleasant, who at Laser will appreciate the greater efficiency and acceleration. The D-Zero has a good spread to England, where they were sold seventy boats and there is already a class recognized by the Royal Yachting Association, which is meanwhile developing the first experimental Portsmouth Yardstick for widespread club racing between different classes in the UK. Italy has already arrived in a first hull. Test and demo will be organized in 2015, but the D-Zero can be proved already in Valencia, at the Dinghy Academy, where they navigate two copies. To book a test: 347 8039243.