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Why Buy a Sigma 33 ?
Andy Johns - Shadowfax
The Sigma 33 represents great value (as far as
any yacht can!) When you take out the fixed costs associated with owning
yacht (mooring, insurance, winter storage) then the running costs are
relatively low. Because of the strict one design nature of the class you can
not be tempted into spending a fortune on modifying the boat to gain
handicap advantage. In my opinion time spent on fairing the hull, ensuring
your halyards and sail controls run well, relatively new sails and loads of
practice is all that is required to have a huge amount of fun racing and
cruising your Sigma 33. Clubbing together not only relieves the financial
costs but helps with organising crew and regattas etc..
But.... Do be aware that these are old boats
and as with any aging lady they do require TLC to get the best out of them.
There are owners with far more experience than I who can no doubt add to the
list but make sure you pay particular attention to the state of the standing
rigging, mast and engine. I would try and get a boat with a decent set of
sails and preferably 2 sets - one to practice with and another to collect
trophies!
The class is really social and during the last
4 years we have made some great friends and had some fantastic weeks racing
and partying. The Sigma 33 is still one of the few classes where the whole
fleet finishes within minutes of each other at events like Cowes Week where
there is level racing as it is all up to ability of the crew.
The Sigma is raced with up to 7 - can be raced
with less - 6s and 7s did really well in this year’s double handed Rolex
Fastnet Race.
In summary I can't think of a better yacht for
racing inshore / offshore and cruising unless you have the budget for a Swan
45! Just make sure you do you homework! (Yachts for sale at
www.sigma33.com)
Paul Gosling - Troy
I have been crew on a 33 & 36 for years they
are the best boat going for racing or cruising. So we purchased TROY in
November 2003 we only cruise her with our children but my wife would not
change even for one of those FRENCH things.
Clive Oliver - Ephesian
Good Boats..... Things don't usually break
when you wipe out, all the expensive gear doesn't make a lot of difference,
easy to set-up (just make sure the stick isn't leaning over), nice big
engine, safe as houses.
Bad.... This isn't a dinghy, turns &
accelerates slowly (compared to later designs), takes years to master.
Start Racing...... Pay your entry fee and
assume position at back of fleet, stay out of trouble, give yourself plenty
of time to manoeuvre, read the rule book and play with the little plastic
boats supplied.
Budget..... No amount of money can make up for
doing it regularly with friends, teamwork is everything.
Crew..... Seven people will usually beat six
inshore. Offshore as many as you can persuade to rough it for the weekend,
but six is a good number.
2 penny worth..... The 33 is the best value
for money sailing to be had.......
Robina Sutch - Fan
I am a relatively new Sigma owner, having
bought FAN in November 2003. I have never regretted my decision! I have
found the association very helpful and friendly. The average age of owners
is relatively low compared to other classes of the same size.
The ability to race Sigma’s as one design or
IRC opens up a range of racing possibilities and indeed the association are
currently reviewing the programme for next year to ensure that there is
something for everyone.
We are also looking at some possible coaching
opportunities, where owners who wanted to get into racing could invite an
existing racing owner on board to learn from their experiences.
David Crawforth – Sigress
Four and a half years ago I bought Sigress for
RORC racing, having looked long and hard at other boats. If you are an ace
sailor, have experience of boat owning, and are prepared to do a lot
research, you might be able to find a very marginally better small boat for
RORC racing - but then I haven't done it (I think I fall short on the ace
sailor bit!).
The big advantage of a Sigma33 is that you can
go class racing to get your boat speed up and proved before you do the
offshore stuff (and during), and the Class Association is good. You might
think of a Nic33 or an X312, or Contessa 33 (Iromiguy, Exile, or SoD) but if
you know the owners and crew of these boats, they are very well sailed!
The best advice I had when buying was to buy
the best Sigma you can afford, which will save you time and money in the
long run.
For RORC racing, start your Fastnet campaign
in 2006, with the Warsash Spring Series if you can, then you will be sorted
for boat speed for the offshore races. Do as many offshores in 2006 as you
can and don't expect too much to start with. Do a JOG if there is no RORC
racing on a weekend when you want to race.
Organisation and preparation (and practice)
are the key to doing well in offshores, and if you & crew are prepared to
take Monday off, you will probably get one placing just for finishing (or
have 2 or 3 return delivery crew and check the ferry options). Crew for
offshore - 6 or 7 as available, 5 is OK but too short really, 7 inshore. And
beware - watch out for Sigress when the kids are all born / a bit older and
we get out sailing more regularly!
John Oliver - Ephesian
I've owned my Sigma 33 ood for 22 years. No
regrets what-so-ever. After chartering boats for about 10 years I decided I
needed to race both off shore & round the cans. With three teenage sons who
were keen as mustard to race I mortgaged my house to buy my Sigma. I was
that keen. Previously we owned an Enterprise dinghy.
Let's start with your question of what's bad
about them. Well, you can give the same answer for every boat that exists.
"It ain't cheap". Like all boats you have to find a mooring. That ain't
cheap. So the first thing you do is join a yacht/sailing club, which is
where you'll get info where to moor your boat, unless of course your rolling
in the filthy stuff and can afford a marina. Apart from the above it’s a
great yacht the most versatile yacht you'll ever purchase. Many owners have
raced across the Pond to the Caribbean. One owner & his wife and baby
circumnavigated the planet. Yet it will hold it's own round the cans in any
company. My wife & I sailed down to the Med, returning via the River Rhone
and French canals, a superb cruising holiday. What more could you want in a
yacht. They survived the 1979 Fastnet with flying colours.
You start racing by racing against the Sigma
33 Fleet by joining the Sigma 33 Class Ass'n. This is what we did. We
started at the back end with just as exciting racing with the tail enders as
the front runners and worked our way through the fleet to the front end
winning many trophies.
To answer the budget question is almost
impossibility. How long is a piece of string. Depends where you moor, how
seriously you want to race. Sails ain't cheap, but you probably know that
already.
You can cruise with only two. I know some
owners who cruise solo. It was my idea to incorporate the furling headstay
which was unanimously voted for by the Class and approved by the designer
David Thomas. Because it made the Sigma more versatile so Mum & Dad can go
cruising but by removing the drum you convert immediately to a racing yacht.
As many owners do.
To race. Well, depends. Officially 7 crew,
including helm. Heavy weather, you'll need the 7 crew. I always go for 7
regardless of the weather. Means more crew to buy me a pint in the
clubhouse.
Any more questions, just ask away. Now go away
and buy the yacht. Get David Hopkins to survey it for you if you live in the
South. There ain't nothing he don't know about Sigma 33's.
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