Hadron Dinghies Ltd

A quarter of the nation’s Hadron H2 fleet turned up on a cold, grey day to do battle for their first open meeting of the year on 31st March. There were two very welcome newcomers – Dave Barker, who has just purchased ‘Fire and Ice’ #113, and Andrew McGaw, who collected his new H2 #128 from the manufacturer on Thursday. They joined Nigel Cowan, Dick Holden, Adrian Williams, Ian Dawson and Simon Hipkin for the three race event.

The wind was a desultory 8-10 knots, with wind streaks which made for some difficult sailing, especially upwind. All competitors showed a good turn of speed at times but by far the most consistent helm on the day was Ian Dawson, sailing in a borrowed boat ‘Agent Orange’ #122, as his new H2 is not yet completed.

Although Ian was challenged by Dick and Simon in particular, losing the lead to them on several occasions, he was in the lead in each race when it counted – at the finish line. So with 3 bullets, a surprised and delighted Ian (he is so modest) was the clear winner.

Ian Dawson – a delighted winner.

Simon and Dick sailed consistently well to finish second and third, followed by the two newcomers (well done, chaps) and Adrian and Nigel.

And well done all for showing up on a cold and damp day and for giving the shoreside spectators such an entertaining spectacle.

Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm Club R1R2R3Pts
1st 122 Ian Dawson Warsash SC -1 1 1 2
2nd 103 Simon Hipkin Walton & Frinton YC -3 2 2 4
3rd 121 Richard Holden Arun YC 2 -5 4 6
4th 113 Dave Barker Draycote Water SC -5 4 3 7
5th 128 A McGaw Northampton SC 4 3 -5 7
6th 114 Adrian Williams Warsash SC -7 6 6 12
7th 109 Nigel Cowan CYC 6 -7 7 13

Hadron Dinghies have two demo boats which can be transported to your club for a demo day or weekend. To arrange an event at your club, see our contact details here.

Here is a recent example of feedback from someone who tried a demo H2 at his club:

“The wind was relatively light but did fill in to enable a few good planing reaches and to get a feel for the power on a beat. I spent about 45 mins sailing.
My biggest concern was whether as a relative lightweight at 70Kg it would be just too much for me, but I’m pleased to find that it was fine and much more controllable than my 300.
The H2 is clearly light for it’s size and easily driven so I think using the considerable depowering capability it should still perform reasonably at my weight.
There’d clearly be much to learn to get the most of it. I like the hiking comfort. I crew a Scorpion and on that and my 300 I wear hiking pads, but I don’t think they’d be needed on the H2
I like the responsiveness. Coming from a 300 pretty much every boat has better initial stability, but it still does feel that it can roll and respond to heel nicely. I did stumble across the buoyancy tank a couple of times before working out the right step over it, and mid tack couldn’t decide whether to pass the extension forward or back, but the boat just sat on the chine showing great secondary stability until I worked it all out.
I liked that it can be roll tacked well but it’s hard to over do it, so you don’t get a bucket full of water on each tack. I think I’d need some practice to get the roll and the exit point right, I felt I kept over doing the tacks. Gybes were a breeze.
I loved the rock steady stability on a planing reach. Even in the gusty conditions it just sat there level and allowed me to feed the power in and out. Much more controllable than other boats that need armfuls of sheet in and out
I found the sheet loads quite high on the beat. I really don’t like mainsheet cleats and find them never at quite the right angle for me, but would need it for long windier beats. I took the sheet straight off the boom for a while and found it almost lighter to handle from there. certainly more controllable. That’s how I sail my other boats so it’s great to have the option.
The rig is clearly very adjustable – I’d have a lot to learn to get the best out of kicker and Cunningham, never mind rake and rig tension – lot’s to play with.
I’d want to spend some more time playing around on a run. I like the unstayed ability of the 300 to go deep by the lee, and find that even with my stayed Farr 3.7 I can let the kicker right off and go almost as deep. On the H2 I couldn’t do this as well. The loose kicker allows the fat head to fall right off but the shroud base does not allow the main to square off so far and I struggled to hold the hull heeling to windward. I’m sure with more practice and experiment this could all be optimised.
It’s nice and light for its size. Lovely trolley so it’s easily handled on the shore. Nice to have a centreboard, especially with the easy uphaul / downhaul controls.

So – Yes I’d love to own an H2.”

The newly-formed Hadron H2 Class Association will be on stand C66 in the Great Hall at Alexandra Palace, London.
The RYA Dinghy Show runs from March 3rd to 4th. Come and chat with H2 owners and find out more about why they love their H2s.

Hadron H2 at the RYA Dinghy Show 2017

Hadron Dinghies have two demo boats available for competent helms to sail in any of the GJW Direct SailJuice races this winter*. We will bring the boats to your chosen venue and have them rigged ready for you.
If you wish to apply, please complete the APPLICATION FORM.

Mike Iszatt sails H2 #102 in the Grafham Grand Prix, 2 January 2017.

* Subject to availability. Draycott Dash places already filled.

This is a new event put on by CVLSC. Racing takes place on Saturday 21st October, but as the NOR states, all are welcome to stay for the Sunday which is our Club’s Visitors Day. This is a free-to-enter day – the morning is raced on handicap (the Hadron will be in the ‘fast’ race) and in the afternoon a pursuit race. There are already two H2s at CVLSC, including the national championship winning boat, so you will be assured of a warm welcome.
See Notice of Race.

Every Hadron H2 attended our first national championships. The competitors were rewarded with some exciting sailing conditions which the H2s revelled in. See a full report in Yachts & Yachting Online
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The full text of the Y&Y Boat Test can now be seen HERE.

Richard Leftley sails the Hadron H2 at South Cerney SC. Photo copyright Dave Whittle.

Come and see us on stand G20 in the West Hall where the H2 is on display on the DESILCO SAILING stand.

Paul Nurser’s H2 is on display at the Dinghy Show

The March 2017 edition of YACHTS & YACHTING magazine (published on 10 February) features a boat test of the Hadron H2 by David Henshall.
David borrowed an H2 for several weeks last year so has been able to give the boat a thorough and insightful assessment.
You can purchase a digital copy of the magazine HERE.

We have built up a set of comments about the H2 from owners and others who have had the opportunity to sail one over the last season.
See what they have to say here.