The Buzz

Specifications and Details

When launched in 1994 the Buzz was fitted with Sobstad sails. The Mark 1 Buzz had Sobstad ‘Blues’ followed by the Mark 2 that had ‘Blacks’. Spinnakers were generally Blue though a batch of Reds was manufactured during a shortage of blue sail cloth. Training Sails are also available cut to the Sobstad pattern and fabricated in terylene with a reefable main. Ideal for those learning to sail in the Buzz. The training mainsail can be reefed to the first batten reducing mainsail area by approximately 30%.

Since 2007 a slightly revised sail pattern has been manufactured by Hyde Sails with approximately 10% extra area in main and spinnaker. Training Sails are still available cut to the older Sobstad pattern and fabricated in terylene with a reefable main. Ideal for those learning to sail in the Buzz. The training mainsail can be reefed to the first batten reducing mainsail area by approximately 30%. Readers will also note the revised PY of 1005 introduced in 2004

History and Design

The Buzz is a one design, double handed, single trapeze, asymmetric sailing dinghy suitable for young sailors of both sexes as well as lighter weight adults. With over 500 boats being sailed in more than a dozen countries around the world, the Buzz has proved its success with a very wide range of today’s young (and some not so young) sailors looking for great value for money fun and exhilaration and for the more serious excellent racing both in our own organised one design events as well being competitive in mixed fleets either sailing around the cans or windward leeward race courses.

The Buzz has proved easy and safe to sail for newcomers to the sport. With its easy righting after a capsize, due to the sealed buoyant mast, low centre of buoyancy, making the centre board easy to reach from the water and its open transom permitting easy re-boarding and instant draining, the Buzz has proved to be exceptionally safe in strong winds in the hands of the very youngest crew. It is the ideal first asymmetric dinghy or for lighter and mixed family crews who want a fast, fun modern style asymmetric boat.

Despite being safe and easy to sail it has proved tactically demanding for the more experienced crews and offers remarkably close racing across a wide range of crew weights and ages. In recent UK National Championships the first seven races were won by different crews of varying weights (112Kg - 151Kg), sizes and sex, demonstrating the equality of speed of different combinations.

The original UK manufacturers, Topper International Ltd, transferred the Buzz licence to Wet&Windy in Bristol in 2007. Coming from a company with such a track record the Buzz has a distinct pedigree. It is robust, ensuring a long competitive life and easily constructed to strict tolerances.

With many the Buzz readily available second-hand in UK & Europe the entry-level price is reduced still further.

The Buzz offers sailors, user-friendly, safe and well proven fun and exhilarating sailing or racing – whichever you prefer.

The Buzz Class Association is exceptionally friendly and supports an annual programme of social training, coaching and racing events that include Gala, Inland, National and European Championships.

Why Sail a Buzz

1. Proven Track Record

Within five years of the 1994 launch there were well over 500 boats being raced in more than a dozen countries around the world. Today we know of almost 250 active boats in UK and Europe.

2. Safety

Easy to right after capsize (sealed buoyant mast) and low centre of buoyancy (making the centre board easy to mount from the water).
Can be ‘dry-capsized’ by the helm and is easy to re-board on righting with the crew rolling in or entering through the open transom. Robust Proven Construction

3. Inexpensive.

With Buzzes being available since 1994 there is a healthy second hand market offering competitively priced entry level Buzzes as well a there still being a demand for new enhanced boats

4. Wide Age/Weight Range

The Buzz is roomy, with a beam close to 2 metres and can be handled and raced competitively by crews from the age of 14 or less against adults on equal terms.
In the UK National Championships the first seven races were won by different crews of different sex, different weights and different ages of boats from the oldest to the newest.

5. Performance

The Buzz has a very wide wind range capability. It will ghost along in ‘nothing’, sail well in light winds yet be easily controllable and an outstandingly exciting performer in a blow without being threatening.
The Buzz has is very stable i.e. you can hove too and eat your sandwiches without the boat falling over. An important feature after all that fun!

6. Class Administration

The Rules and International Constitution have been modified to fall into line with the prevailing ISAF format for one-design classes. The Buzz class have recently resigned from ISAF making it possible for the class to make minor rule changes. This has allowed us to evolve and enhance the class to ensure we can use the latest (mainly ropes and blocks) which in the long term can reduce costs and make the boat more enjoyable and easy to sail

We are always looking for new venues – why not invite us to your club to demonstrate or hold an event – Alternatively if you would like to test sail a Buzz – just contact us through the website www.bu22.co.uk

Here is a link to the Buzz Boat Test