On average about 1 knot for similar wind and wave conditions. So for example in a 15 knt breeze I may average 4.5 knts in the Rocket and 5.5 Knts in the Interceptor. Doesn't seem like much but it's 20% faster.
Great Videos...Which Ronstan Battlestick are you using? It looks like an extension model. Any other suggestions for tiller head modifications such as the rudder halyard and cleat set up. I also like your Line retaining bag and water bottle accessories. Would you mind sharing the product information. You have great ideas for better life aboard a Rocket. Thanks. Mark
It's the Ronstan RF3134 which I found to be a great addition to the Rocket. This is a bit of a personal choice, but I like to hold the extension high on my chest when I'm hiked out and the standard tiller extension didn't allow that for me. Also, when telescoped in the tiller and extension are out of the way when I'm launching the boat.
Had my maiden voyage yesterday. The centerboard kept popping up from its bouyancy and the sprit slid past the webbing loop at the top of the sail. Also wanted to ask if you always have mooring where you put in to hold the boat while you stow the the dolly?
I see that you have an additional rubber bow catch below the one at the handles. Is that the one from the bottom stanchion? Got my boat a couple weeks ago.
@@DinghySailorSteve The dolly is not a great fit, the sling is too close to the balance point and the bow bumper angles the stern too close to the ground when you pick it up and pull. What did you use to make the lower bow catch? Thanks
@jamesderby4522 it's the same as the vee piece that supports the hull. So didn't need to make it, just ordered it and installed. I got the idea from seeing this on a laser dolly.
Nice. Like how you did not grab the dock when the wind shifted on you, that you were patient and tried the approach again. Very nice. How did you attach your camera. Also is your water battle cage glued on or did you rivet it in. I am preparing a very long voyage on mine.
Nice video. I am going to sail a Rocket Interceptor in the Race 2 Alaska and need to row part of the way, when wind is light or not blowing. Thanks for the video. Very useful.
This was recommended to me by Fulcrum. If you look at Sunfish racers, they use a bridal traveler. The idea is that it allows more manageable sailing in heavier wind conditions. I'm not sure I'm seeing that much difference to be honest but it's worth trying.
have you considered using a traveler block? You could even add mainsheet purchase if you used a double block and ran the mainsheet back up similar to how lasers are setup.
Great stuff, as always, Steve. Thanks for sharing. Questions: How/why did you add the traveler for securing the mainsheet (instead of using the loop atop the rudder)? And, what's the small black rectangle on the port side, just forward of the traveler?
Hey Steve. I am interested in one of these boats with the oar setup like you have it. I have a question, can you sail with the oars on board/row with the mast up? Thanks for the videos, looks like an exciting boat.
Yes, I do sail with the oars on board but my oars are collapsible, not like the stock oars. With my oars broken into two pieces they easily stow on-board.
Hi Steve, enjoyed watching your Rocket videos. Can you compare the speed of the rocket to a Sunfish or Laser? I assume it is faster than a Sunfish but slower than a Laser. I am considering buying a rocket.
Thanks for watching my videos! As I haven't sailed a Sunfish or Laser I can't say for certain. I have sailed with a Laser for a short period of time and I was matching its speed. Since the Rocket is lighter than a Sunfish and has more sail area I would think it would be faster.
Another great video, thank you! Did you add a Sunfish bow handle to the deck? And do you recommend MapBox as an app for tracking your outings? (I'm using Watersports Tracker which isn't bad)
Thanks for watching my videos and commenting. I did add a Sunfish bow handle to the boat but it's not recommend by Fulcrum. The deck material is not very thick and is not designed to support this. I'm being careful not to use the handle for lifting the boat, I just use it to secure the bow to the dolly. As for tracking apps I use Strava. It's just what I happened to be on my phone as I use it for cycling and hiking as well. Seems to work well and I like the emergency contact feature that allows my wife to follow me.
Great videos, thank you. Couple questions... - Did you secure the daggerboard to the boat with the end of the halyard? Bowline? - Is there a cleat or something on the forward side of the mast, 2 or 3 feet above the deck? My Rocket doesn't have that. - What is the dark circular item on each side of the cockpit? - And the dark rectangular item at the forward end of the cockpit? Thanks!
I use a piece of shock cord with a loop around the mast. I have a small amount of tension on it so it keeps the dagerboard in place if I lift it up. In the cockpit the circular items are inspection ports. I stow the oarlocks on these. They may be specific to the hull with oarlocks, not sure.
@@DinghySailorSteve Thanks. Yes, I have no oarlocks, and no ports. Do you have trouble raising the dagger board as you approach the beach? The gasket on mine is incredibly tight.
@@user-jv6bl9sm8l I have had problems with a tight dagger board. Sanding the guides has helped. Also, I found the board needs to be vertical or it will bind on the guides. I'm still working on this myself to be honest.
For a cover I use the SLO mast up cover for the Phantom 14. SLO may have a Rocket specific cover now but the Phantom 14 fits perfectly. As for tiller and dagger board bags, I'm not using any currently. When stored I keep these under the boat cover and that seems to give enough protection. I'm not aware of any bags that can be purchased but maybe they are out there.
Hello Steve. Thanks for posting another great Rocket video. Where did you purchase the oar locks? In addition have you found a better alternative to the tiller pen circular retention ring. I got some sand in the hole last time I sailed and the retention ring was damaged. There has to be a better alternative. The hole is roughly 3.0 mm or 1/8 inch. Any tips on the best way to store and transport the tiller and dagger board? Cheers to you and keep sailing!
The oar locks came with the boat, they are an add on to the basic Rocket. Yes, I immediately swapped out the circular ring with a Ronstan Retaining clip. Here is a link: www.ronstan.us/marine5/product.asp?ProdNo=RF413 That circular clip Toss that circular clip, nothing but frustration for me.
I think the boat is great, it fits my needs well. The most impressive feature is it's light weight. The boat is also very flexible in that it has a rowing option. My next video will focus on this.
Novice sailor here, with a Rocket (in New England). Looking forward to more videos. Do you beach launch? Would love to see your dolly/trailer set up and sequence for hoisting and launching.
Hello, thanks for watching and commenting on my video. I use a Right-On trailer and a Dynamic Dolly combination. Here is a pic of my boat on the dolly (hopefully you can see this) drive.google.com/file/d/1nrx6bsABcWRAjjLC5Fazyv3Xk1NA5gFc/view?usp=drive_link and here is a pic of my boat and dolly on the trailer drive.google.com/file/d/1Rjli_9bDVJwVTGPEkH-tQJ8TJOaQ1_bI/view?usp=drive_link. A good source for Rocket info is the facebook group 'Fulcrum Rocket Sailboat Owners'. This a private group so you will need to request to join. I have experimented a lot with hoisting and launching. I beach launch and launch from a dock. In both cases I raise the sail before I put the boat in the water. I'll work on creating videos on this.
Steve, thanks so much for posting these Rocket videos. I'm thinking about getting one of these and was wondering if you would be willing to show yours on an outing?
@@DinghySailorSteve Hello Steve I sailed in Lake Tahoe predictable 12-14 knot winds-great time. With your rocket do you experience a low rumble from the dagger board at speed?
