Challenging but not hard
As hard as climbing a wall that's leaning towards you, or as hard as kissing a woman that's leaning away from you! That's how hard most people think Moths are to sail, but is that really true? Sure, they were once hard to sail in the same way the first aeroplanes were once hard to fly, but progress and development haven't just had an effect on the speed of the boat. In fact the classes biggest secret is that the Moth is now not that hard to sail. Challenging yes, but not hard.
So we beg you, don't discount a MACH 2 based on what you think it might be like.
Here's why. Firstly stability comes (somewhat surprisingly) from the lack of forward resistance. In most water pushing dinghies the drag of the water on the hull prevents them going faster - which means the rig loads up. This means that the boat wants to heal over and capsize. In a Moth this doesn't happen. Nothing stops it moving forward and capsizing to leeward is a rare occurrence.
Secondly, and just like a bicycle, life is a lot easier when you are on the move. Stability comes from speed and the innate reactions you have in keeping the bike underneath you. The same applies to a Moth. Yet I hear you cry, "you can put your foot down at the traffic lights on a bike!" Well, yes you can, but this is where development has played a hand with the humble but incredibly useful wing air bags.
To explain: MACH 2's have an air filled inflatable bag held tightly in a pocket at the outboard end under each wing. Consider them as stabilisers.
They may not be one of the most talked about developments in hydrofoiling but they are one of the most useful. They are unsung hero's, responsible for the rising average age of Moth sailors everywhere, and they extend the on water time with their "drop a wing, take a rest" benefit.
Well OK, yes, you will capsize, but what an insignificant, hassle free, capsize it is! No boat full of water, no trailing halyards/centreboard disappearing back up the trunk/rudder floating off experience. Simply alight to the centreboard and pull the boat upright in an unrushed manner and climb in or swim in thanks to those airbags in those big wings.
Of course how hard a boat is doesn't always apply to on the water time. Do you dread that long pull up the ramp and back to the dinghy park? The MACH 2 weighs 30 kilo's and one must resist a smile as you effortlessly manoeuvre your MACH 2 on shore.
So how do you feel now? Well most of our customers are up and foiling on their very first attempt! Few people leave the Moth class once they've tried it. Dare to approach it with learner's eyes and give it a go!
