The Comet Dinghy: A Best-Kept Secret?
by Eddie Pope 3 Aug 21:49 NZST
Three Comet rigs racing at the Carsington Open in May 2024 (Mylar Xtra, Reefing White Xtra, Standard) © Roger Doyle
The Comet is a small, light, single-handed dinghy that offers exciting and rewarding sailing. Whether you're close racing with other Comets or simply sailing for fun, the Comet appeals to an amazing range of people - juniors, ladies and gents. Ages of helms vary from early teens to the eighties.
The Comet was designed by Andy Simmons of Comet Dinghies in 1981. Andy has remained the sole builder and total numbers are now in excess of 900. This success is a huge testament to Andy's craftsmanship and dedication. Early hulls 30 to 40 years old remain fully competitive in the right hands, demonstrating that the design and build quality is second to none. Comets can be bought at a very affordable price and they retain their value. Used Comets are extremely popular purchases and don't need to be advertised for long.
The Comet's short length (3.45 m), two-piece mast and lightweight hull (50 kg) enable car topping. It is very comfortable to sail with simple control systems, a deep uncluttered cockpit and single self-bailer. Due to its light weight, the Comet is easy to move on shore. The relatively high boom is a very welcome feature. The Comet has a short daggerboard - the draft is therefore low meaning the boat can be sailed in shallow water. Also, the daggerboard does not foul the boom or kicking strap when raised - it is possible to gybe the Comet with the daggerboard raised. Due to its short length and light weight the Comet is very manoeuvrable. This means it is a good choice for sailing in restricted waters.
The hull mould and construction material (GRP) have remained unchanged, making the Comet hull a pure one design. Andy's enthusiasm and innovation have however resulted in various rigging options and improvements being introduced. Initially boats used transom mainsheets, but an option for centre mainsheets followed and currently there is quite an even mix. In our predominantly inland smaller venues there seems to be no performance advantage with either option - it is a matter of personal preference. In recent years mainsheet cleats have been allowed to the side or rear, though few helms opt for these. Andy provides modern race-standard control systems to upgrade early boats.
In 1997 the original sleeved unbattened Dacron (Standard) sail of 6.5 sq m was joined by the Mino, a 5 sq m sleeved unbattened Dacron sail using a much shorter bottom mast. This makes it ideal for children and lighter adults, albeit with a drop in performance in lower winds. Both of these sails can be furled round the mast, keeping the sail in good condition and aiding ease of handling ashore. The Standard sail can also be reefed by wrapping it around the mast.
2006 saw the option of the Xtra Rig, with reduced bottom mast and boom lengths. The Xtra is a smaller sail area (6 sq m) than the Standard sail, but made from Mylar using battens, with a zipper luff sleeve and halyard. This combination made the Comet easier for lightweights and beginners to sail on equal terms with the Standard rig, although some helms noticed a small drop in performance by comparison with the Standard rig in light winds. This was followed by a zipper and halyard option for the Standard sail. Comets with halyards can leave their masts up and use overboom covers, making them quicker to launch than using the sleeved sails without zippers.
In late 2017, the Xtra was effectively superseded by the White Xtra, a slightly larger radial cut sail of 6.25 sq m with battens in conventional white Dacron. The White Xtra is equivalent in performance to the Standard rig in all wind conditions. 2020 saw a final and highly innovative development (perhaps unique in single-handed dinghies?), a reefing version of the White Xtra, where the sail can be reduced to a very manageable 5 sq m. The reefing White Xtra can be distinguished by its two sail windows (the upper one is used when reefed).
The reduced sail area of the Mino and Xtra rigs means that compared to the Standard rig, they use a shorter bottom mast and boom. The reduced weight of these spars improves stability and makes the boat easier to handle in strong winds. The Standard rig may be converted to the Xtra or White Xtra rig by buying the new sail and shortening the bottom mast section. However, some helms retain the option of sailing with the Standard rig by buying a new bottom mast section for use with the Xtra rigs.
All parts, sails, masts and conversion kits for various upgrades are readily available from Andy at great value-for-money prices. Andy will also convert a Comet from the Standard rig to White Xtra rig. In the event that a Comet needs repair then Andy can make the boat as good as new. He has also provided very helpful repair and rigging advice, which are published on the Comet website for those aspirational DIYers. He normally attends Championships and also turns up at the occasional open meeting to deliver spares and sails. Sometimes he brings or delivers a boat he has recently built or repaired.
Comet Sailing & Racing
In agreement with the RYA all the Comet rigs now race using the same PY (currently 1210). Racing results show that the Standard and White Xtra are very evenly matched over all wind conditions, and when the wind becomes strong the Xtra, Mino and reefed White Xtra can be competitive. The single PY allows racing without the need for handicaps between the different rigs at open meetings.
The Comet has big fleets at several clubs. Typically, these include some boats owned by the club for new members or beginners to try out. Comets are also used for training purposes - this helped in particular during Covid when social distancing restrictions were in place.
Comet sailors are well known to be friendly and welcoming to everyone new to the class. In recent years, with the introduction of the newer rigs, more ladies have discovered the joy of sailing Comets. They represent a significant percentage of our helms. There have however always been keen and competitive ladies in the fleet. Both juniors (under 18) and veterans (we call them "Ancient Mariners") have won Championships in recent years, and lady helms have won open meetings.
At club level the Comet performs particularly well in handicap racing when winds are lower. This is because of its light weight, hull shape, and sail size to boat length ratio. In stronger winds the rounded hull and forward mast positioning can make Comet sailing rather challenging, especially downwind. However, there are lots of tips on the comprehensive Comet website about how to sail well in these conditions, and practice helps.
Due to the generous cockpit there is room to sail 2 up, and young children enjoy being on board with a competent helm. Social sailing rather than racing is popular at some clubs, and the Comet is ideal for this too.
Comet Class Association
The Comet Class Association has always been very active and supportive and a healthy membership total has been maintained. As well as maintaining a comprehensive and regularly updated website, the Association produces an online magazine and a monthly newsletter. The Association also organises a stand at the annual RYA Dinghy Show, with Andy Simmons usually providing a new boat for visitors to look at.
The Class Association organises a 3-day National Championship and a 2-day Association Championship as well as 20 or so 1-day open meetings each year. These open meetings are allocated to 4 regional series, with results from these and the Championships counting towards national travellers' prizes. Where feasible the open meetings are doubled up, to encourage potential entrants who live a distance away to travel. Several clubs offer free camping on site, and social events are sometimes organised, with over 20 entrants normal at both Championships and in some open meetings.
There is a happy and dedicated band of Association members who travel to Comet events, and it is not that unusual for a member to take part in all or nearly all the open meetings and both Championships in the year. There is friendly but competitive racing at all levels in the fleet. Useful tips are freely given by the more experienced helms. Going to events is rather like being with your extended family!