After racing on a Flying Tiger 10-meter around the Bay this year and with the knowledge that they are fun but seem way overpowered for the typical summer conditions of San Francisco, we checked out the new FT 7.5 being shown in San Diego.

Stepping on the boat at the dock, it didn't feel too tippy. We headed out and hoisted the jib; hanks only, no furler. Wind was maybe 5 knots in the slipway. We headed into San Diego Bay and raised the chute. It was flat water and 5-10 knots, with some puffs of 12 knots or more. There was a weird little waterspout action at the top of the rudder. “Needs some shaving,” someone said. Trimming the main, the controls were very similar in placement to the FT10. In fact the whole cockpit seemed similar (big). The lifeline (single only) hits a tall main trimmer in the back when we heeled which made it very uncomfortable (also like the 10).

A closer look at the boat. © 2008 norcalsailing.com

We jibed down the bay and the boat seemed to accelerate nicely in the puffs (such as they were). Driving for a little bit towards the end of the chute run and after we dropped and headed upwind, the helm was extremely light and well balanced. We tipped a bit in the puffs, but the crew of four weren't doing any legs-out hiking. Even in the light conditions we needed to use the winches for the chute and jib. When it is really blowing a grinder is going to have to be pretty far forward in the boat.

We sailed back to the dock and rolled up the sails. We didn’t get to see much down below because the chute lives in the companionway. What we could see was nicely put together, except the tiller. It's a long thin tubular affair that flexed up and down a LOT (also like the FT10).

How would the FT 7.5 do on San Francisco Bay? It would be great as a doublehanded boat if you can keep it on its feet in a blow. No backstay, so you need to know how to tune the rig to suit. The boat has potential, but we would need to see it in 25 knots of wind. With all of the new sportboats vying for our attention this summer (Melges 20, Laser SB3, Flying Tiger 7.5, etc.) it will be interesting to see who will succeed in a very tough market. But the idea of an inexpensive 25-footer that can keep up with the big boys going to Stockton on the Delta Ditch Run sounds interesting.

We’ve added a video of our test sail. Click on the image below…