Update July 2008

The perhaps optimistic Spring launch did slip, but the first customer now has his AltO, which is the fifth AltO. The slippage has been due to the large number of new Vipers Rondar is manufacturing for the American market. Great for Rondar Raceboats, but not for the AltO launch. However, the good news is that the first batch of boats previously referred to is now being processed with a further batch going through prior to the September Southampton Boat Show launch. The website will shortly give details of the launch boat together with a gallery update.

Update March 2008

If you visited the AltOboats stand at the Dinghy Sailing Show then you will appreciate the considerable interest shown in the new AltO. Enthusiasts for the new boat, expecting to see yet another revamp of an old class, were surprised to find a thoroughly modern yet non-skiff new design. Comments were very favourable, and overwhelmingly visitors agreed that the boat looked great.

Perhaps an AltO was the first boat sale of the Show. It was 10.05 on the Saturday morning when a purchaser asked if he could buy and take away the Show boat. We had to disappoint him regarding taking the Show boat but promised that he should receive his new boat from the first batch in late May 08.

The AltO is real, so what next? During March and April the AltO will undergo further testing before the first batch of boats is built during May 08. Of these, one will go to the first purchaser, from East Kent, mentioned above. The Show boat will shortly be based at Deben YC in Woodbridge, Suffolk. A demonstration boat will go to the South Coast at Hayling Island SC and two or three further demonstration boats will go to areas to be announced during April.

Update Feb 2008

The new AltO will be at the Dinghy Sailing Show at Alexandra Palace on 1st and 2nd March 08.
There has been much speculation on various forums as to what the AltO is and where it slots into the dinghy racing scene. The first public viewing will be at the Show in the West Hall on stand G38.
We hope to see you there.

Update Nov 2007

It has been decided to separate the combined pole and spinnaker launch by the crew due to the necessary force required. The pole launch and swing control is handled by the crew with the helm hoisting and lowering. Thus with less grunt at the front the AltO is more friendly to female crews. This also allows for a faster launch.

The AltO launch date will be announced soon.

Update May 2007

The testing of all systems is now complete. The final version of the AltOpole system, the spinnaker chute entry, the adjustable jibtrack and the swivelling jib cleat have now been severely tested since last July and in all wind strengths. The last two systems to be finalised were combining the pole launch with the spinnaker halyard, and the continuous plate uphaul/downhaul systems. These also work well.

The launch version of the AltO will be on display at the end of the year with production planned for Spring 2008.

Update Feb 2007

The test programme for the AltO and the recent racing performance has more than exceeded expectations. As a result it has been decided that the AltO should be introduced, as a new high performance, one design, two person, single trapeze racing dinghy class with a non-trapeze version, in 2008.