megabyte_banner.jpg

The Megabtye is a fast, yet stable boat that can be sailed with two crew or raced singlehanded. The boat was designed to carry some “serious weight” with a proper cockpit laid out for two people, but with the simplicity of a single sail. The Megabyte’s lightweight, tapered, carbon fiber mast and fully battened Mylar sail provide plenty of power when needed, and are easy to depower with well led controls. Sailors well over 200 lbs can singlehand the Megabyte competitively and comfortably thanks to its powerful sail plan, deep cockpit, and high boom. The two piece carbon fiber mast and 130 lb hull make Megabytes  easy to car top and transport. The Megabyte was designed by Farr Yacht Design and selected as Boat of the Year by Sailing World in 2000.

Specifications

  • LENGTH - 14.3 ft
  • BEAM - 5.2 ft
  • SAIL AREA - 100 ft2
  • HULL WEIGHT - 130 lb

Sails & Rigging

  • Fully battened mylar sail
  • Carbon fiber two-piece mast
  • Vang, outhaul and cunningham controls led to cockpit sides
  • Padded hiking straps for skipper and crew

Construction

  • Glass reinforced polyester, foam sandwich
  • All Megabyte cockpit fittings are supported by tapped aluminum backing plates
  • Large inspection hatch to access rear storage space
  • Safety grabrail for capsize recovery
  • Double bailers, fore and aft

The Megabyte Mast Step

The unique Megabyte mast step is connected to the water under the boat. No water stays in the cavity above the height of the waterline while sailing and the cavity drains completely when stored on shore. The bottom of the Megabyte's mast cavity and the hull structure are glued together. During final assembly, a threaded stud attached to a through bolted plate is installed in a recess in the hull. Channels in a plastic washer secured over the stud allow water drain through an access hole in the plate.

Class Contact Information

Click below

Class Email

One-Design Class Type: Dinghy

Was this boat built to be sailed by youth or adults? Both

Approximately how many class members do you have? 60

Photo Credit:

Megabyte Class

About Megabyte

Specifications: Length: 14′ 3″ (4.34 m) Beam: 5′ 2″ (1.57 m) Mainsail area: 100 sq.ft. (9.29 m²) Hull weight: 130 lb. (59 kg) Sails & Rigging: Fully battened Mylar sail (MK II rig) or the original and more conventional MK I rig which has the stiffer mast and partially battened sail. Carbon fiber 2-piece mast – flexible for controlling the power in the sail. Vang, Outhaul and Cunningham control lines are well led to the cockpit sides.

Boats Produced: Approximately 385

Class boat builder(s):

Zim Sailing 33 Broadcommon Road Unit 1 Bristol RI, 02809 Call us: (401) 237-6117

Approximately how many boats are in the USA/North America? 360

Where is your One-Design class typically sailed in the USA? List regions of the country:

New England Mid Atlantic Mid West Northwest Coast

Does this class have a spinnaker or gennaker? No

How many people sail as a crew including the helm?  1

Ideal combined weight of range of crew:  130 lbs. to 220

Portsmouth Yardstick Rating:   90.80

Boat Designed in  The Megabyte was designed by Bruce Farr and Ian Bruce in 2000

Length (feet/inches): Length: 14′ 3″ (4.34 m)

Beam: Beam: 5′ 2″ (1.57 m)

Weight of rigged boat without sails: Hull weight: 130 lb. (59 kg)

Draft: raft: 2′-6″

Mast Height: 23′

Tuning Guides

Back to One-Design Central

Copyright ©2018-2024 United States Sailing Association. All rights reserved. US Sailing is a 501(c)3 organization. Website designed & developed by Design Principles, Inc. -->

megabyte sailboat

The idea behind the new boat was a dinghy that could combine performance with a greater weight-carrying capacity than Performance's The Byte. We are talking serious weight here. In fact, at 225 pounds, I am at exactly the target crew weight for this design. The result is a big singlehanded dinghy with a 14-foot, 3-inch LOA and 5 foot, 2 inches of beam. These proportions give the MegaByte stability and, more importantly, the sail-carrying power to allow it to be muscled up in the sail-area department. The displacement of the MegaByte also means you can have friends with you on this dinghy.

The bigger hull (bigger than a Laser's) allows the MegaByte to have a real cockpit with an average depth of 15 inches. The sides of the cockpit well bond to the bottom of the boat, so there is no cockpit sole per se. Side decks are broad and chamfered on the edges and identical to those on the Tasar dinghy. In fact, the entire deck is identical to that of the Tasar. This is a comfortable cockpit and much easier on the knees than the shallow well of a Laser. You will also stay drier on this boat due to the increase in freeboard. Dinghy bailers will keep the cockpit from filling up.

The mast is carbon fiber and the sail is Mylar. There is 20 more square feet to this sail than on a Laser, but hull weights are listed as identical. Upwind in flat water the Laser can give the MegaByte a run for its money, but once you turn the corner, the extra length of the Byte works to make it faster off the wind. A unique bungy cord in the luff of the Mylar sail allows for good sail draft control. This allows a sail with generous luff roach to match the bendy stick. There is also a traveler. Both the daggerboard and the dagger rudder are built from aluminum extrusions.

The size of this dinghy makes it suitable for family daysailing. As a training boat it has the advantage of allowing both student and instructor aboard at the same time. The boat is fitted with an additional set of hiking straps forward for the crew. I've taught people to sail by putting them into my El Toro and shoving them out and calling out instructions from the beach, but it's much nicer and far more elegant to be able to take those first few rides together so the student can build confidence.

Performance Sailcraft just launched its 150th MegaByte. It has also signed on an additional hull and deck builder (the boats are finished at the Performance Sailcraft plant). This is becoming a popular dinghy.

This is definitely the type of dinghy that can slap you around a bit if you are not diligent with your weight distribution and your sail trim. But that's one of the best ways to learn. A little swim now and then can reinforce good sailing habits. Personally I'm beyond the days when I enjoyed a dunking. In Puget Sound the 49-degree water tends to be a bit too bracing for my attitude, and I'm starting to look really weird in a wet suit. Of course, you can always start out in the light stuff and slowly graduate to planing across the bay in total control.

Also in Perry on Design

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  • Elan Impression 43
  • Full Circle 30
  • Tanton No. 309
  • Dragonfly 40

Also from Robert H. Perry

megabyte sailboat

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April 16, 2014 by Sail1Design Editor 1 Comment

The Megabtye is a fast, yet stable boat that can be sailed with two crew or raced singlehanded. The boat was designed to carry some “serious weight” with a proper cockpit laid out for two people, but with the simplicity of a single sail. The Megabyte’s lightweight, tapered, carbon fiber mast and battened Mylar sail provide plenty of power when needed, and are easy to depower with well led controls. Sailors well over 200 lbs can singlehand the Megabyte competitively and comfortably thanks to its powerful sail plan, deep cockpit, and high boom. The two piece carbon fiber mast and 130 lb hull make Megabytes easy to car top and transport. The Megabyte was designed by Farr Yacht Design and selected as Boat of the Year by Sailing World in 2000.

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August 31, 2022 at 16:43

I have a Megabyte purchase din 2001, in goo shape. Any suggestions about listing this boat for sale?

Ted Chapman

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megabyte sailboat

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megabyte sailboat

6 Great Sailboats For Tall People (With Pictures)

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Being tall comes with advantages and corresponding disadvantages.

On a sailboat, the disadvantages become apparent quickly with the amount of headroom down below and the height of the boom above the deck, for starters.

Are there any sailboats out there that are comfortable for tall people to go sailing in?

Table of Contents

megabyte sailboat

3 Dighies That Tall People Can Sail In:

Dinghies are smaller than keelboats, but a few can accommodate a tall person without a problem.

megabyte sailboat

The MC Scow is a dinghy that has been in production in North America since 1956, redesigned by Harry Melges from the earlier J Scow.

It is 16 feet long with a wide 5’7″ beam, allowing plenty of room side to side.

It is a catboat rig, meaning it has a single sail with the mast far forward toward the bow.

The combination of the beam width and the mast location allows plenty of space for a tall person to operate in. Hiking straps allow you to lean out far over the water, actually giving taller people more of an advantage in racing.

There is an active racing class from the east coast to the mid-west of the United States, and the boat is still being produced by Melges Performance Sailboats.

2. International Canoe

megabyte sailboat

One of the most unique classes of sailboats ever designed, there are several variants on the International Canoe or International Ten Square Meter as it is also known.

Its origins go back to the mid-19th century.

There is a One Design class, a “box rule” class where any design is legal as long as it complies with certain measurements. The Asymmetric Canoe uses the one-design boat but carries an asymmetric spinnaker.

The long, thin boats feature a main and a jib and are generally sailed single-handed.

The main interesting feature for the tall sailor is the sliding seat. This is a long construction that slides from side to side and extends out over the water.

This means the boat is actually controlled from the “outside” of the hull, giving a tall person complete freedom of movement.

The boats are difficult to control in a tack, as users must slide the seat, and the boats are narrow and tipsy. But it is a classic design, and the tall, experienced sailor will have a great experience.

3. Megabyte

The Megabyte is a newer design and class of dinghy, made currently by Zim Sailing.

It is similar to the old Finn design in the hull and rig, but it is a much lighter boat and has a more ergonomic layout.

For the tall sailor, the attraction will be the large, deep cockpit and the high boom. The mast for the single sail is forward, so it will not interfere with you.

The hull is light (130 lbs.), so combined with the relatively large sail, the boat has a lot of speed potential.

Given that, a taller sailor hiking in higher winds will find themselves in a competitive advantage, as they can use their leverage to keep the boat flatter in a race.

Though a more recent design, the Megabyte is growing in popularity, given its speed and ability to be car-topped to regattas or casual day sails.

3 Affordable Keelboats Tall People Can Enjoy:

Keelboats are generally easier for taller people to navigate in, as the boats are larger and roomier.

Here we will focus on smaller keelboats that can be sailed short-handed or even single-handed and are affordable:

megabyte sailboat

Westerly Marine Construction was one of the largest marine manufacturers in Europe in the 1960s and 1970s, coming out with many innovative and focused designs.

The Centaur is a 26-foot boat designed to be a family cruiser. While many comfort-focused boats at that time were simply scaled-down models of larger boats, the Centaur was a unique design built around the roomy interior.

The large, high windows are distinctive to the boat, and it has a high boom for good clearance. It is 8 1/2 feet wide, and the headroom below is a minimum of 6 feet.

The disadvantage is that the deck space is cramped due to the large cabin and the shallow bilges.

It is not the best sailing boat performance-wise, but it is comfortable to sail.

There were 2500 Centaurs built between 1969 and 1980, and they are all over Europe and the US.

2. Leisure 23

megabyte sailboat

Frank Prior designed this boat, and the first models were launched in 1973.

There was an SL model with a redesigned deck and cabin introduced in 1975.

The boat was designed for serious cruising, with a beam of almost 8 feet and 5’10” headroom, which is remarkable in a boat that size.

The main feature for tall people will be that the boom does not extend past the cabin. This means you have the entire cockpit area to operate in without fear of smacking your head.  

The cockpit is wide and uncluttered, and the interior is roomy, meaning the boat will be a comfortable sail for a tall person.

About 900 boats of both models were built up until 1990, with most in Europe but many imported to the USA. The boat has decent sailing characteristics beyond its comfort and has a cult following in the industry.

3. Catalina 30

megabyte sailboat

With 6,430 boats sold between 1972 and 2008, this is one of the most successful sailboats ever built.

There were several different models and redesigns over the decades, but the basic layout was unchanged.

Even for its length, the boat is a roomy design with a 10’10” beam. The headroom is 6’4″, so most tall people will be able to stand fully upright. Many people live aboard Catalina 30s, so they have ample space for all your needs below.

One remarkable aspect of the Catalina 30 is that it has outstanding sailing characteristics despite the space and comfortable design. Many are raced competitively worldwide, as it performs and handles very well in light air or heavy air.

With so many of these boats made, models are always available, some for under $10,000. You might have to do some work to get one of the more affordable ones in shape, but these were some of the nicest and roomiest racer-cruisers ever made at that length.

While the boat can be handled single-handed, as we stated in the criteria above, it will require an experienced sailor to do so, given the size of the boat and the rig.

The model was replaced in 2010 by the Catalina 309, so if you want a similar boat but of more recent vintage, that is a place to start.

Final Thoughts

Not every sailboat is going to be comfortable for every tall sailor. Finding the right boat is the key.

The boats we have examined in this article might be the ideal boat for you or the starting point for finding the perfect fit.

MC Scow – Wikipedia

Megabyte – USSailing

Review: Centaur – Spin Sheet

Leisure 23 – Leisure Owners Association

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Megabyte 14' Performance Sailboat with Trailer - one or two person

2002 megabyte.

megabyte sailboat

  • Price: Contact seller
  • Make: Megabyte
  • Location: Pompano Beach, Florida, United States

Description

megabyte sailboat

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megabyte sailboat

2008 Zim PS2000 Performance Sailcraft Megabyte

  • Description

Seller's Description

Megabyte performance dinghy in good condition. Lightly used in the waters off Fort McHenry, using the ramp at the Canton Waterfront Park. This is a fast, fun performance sailboat with stiff, planing hull. Carbon fiber mast, aluminum boom, extruded aluminum foils, Mylar Dimension Polyant sail, 100sf sail area.

Great singlehanded racing design, 2000 Sailing World Boat of the Year.

Equipment: Galvanized Trailer with New Tires Seittech dolly Protective Foil Case Mylar Mainsail All Rigging 6 Hiking Straps 2 Piece Carbon Fiber Mast Aluminum Boom Boat Cover

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

  • SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
  • D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
  • LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
  • LOA: Length overall in feet
  • Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Now available through Zim Sailing. Newport, RI (USA)

This listing is presented by SailboatListings.com . Visit their website for more information or to contact the seller.

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Laser VS. Byte/MegaByte

  • Thread starter computeroman2
  • Start date Aug 14, 2005
  • Aug 14, 2005

computeroman2

I've seen a couple of pictures, but am wondering what the heck the difference is between the laser and the byte/megabyte. The pictures i've seen make it look like an almost exact copy of the laser. Can someone help?  

the diference is that there are 180,000 lasers sailing and racing in the world virtualy every sailing club has lasers,to race against share ideas,socialise with it has proven resale value easily available parts new and second hand,this forum read worldwide to answer your questions.there are many similar boats out there some very good some faster more radical beter made ,not one design but they have a snowbal in hells chance of equaling the lasers success,the one design thing,good secondhand market strong national,international racing scene ensure the lasers continued success. remember imitations have limitations best wishes sean  

Wavedancer

Upside down?

computeroman2 said: I've seen a couple of pictures, but am wondering what the heck the difference is between the laser and the byte/megabyte. The pictures i've seen make it look like an almost exact copy of the laser. Can someone help? Click to expand...

fishingmickey

fishingmickey

Hello Computo, I sailed/phrf raced with a Megabyte last weekend, Looks like a pretty nice boat.... The sail area is larger (100 sq ft.) and it has the sail controls lead to both sides of the boat with a center traveler for the main sheet. The sail was mylar I think. The boom is higher then a Laser and it is also made by Vanguard. The dagger board and rudder were pretty neat too. They were sheathed in Aluminium and had a really good air foil shape to them. The rudder slides down into the rudder head like a dagger board into its trunk. All in all it looked like a high tech Laser on steroids.... I think it would be a blast to sail in heavy air. Sorry for the short description, I didn't do a through close up inspection of the boat. I would have loved to give it a run around the Lake. The owner said they are fairly popular in Canada. Regards, Fishingmickey 150087/181157  

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Sailing Anarchy Forums

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  • Sailing Anarchy

Bought a Megabyte to learn to sail - mistake?

  • Thread starter ItsMega
  • Start date Aug 7, 2017

More options

ItsMega

  • Aug 7, 2017

So.. like the title says.  I've sailed a sunfish a few times and figured id have more fun in a more substantial boat.  Tried sailing over the weekend, and it was a DISASTER.  Save for a good PFD you'd all be reading about another sailer w/o a PFD that drown.  Ended up being towed in, sail down, by a powerboat.  Granted, it was a windy (18+ knot) day.  Have I made a huge mistake?  Someone told me that trying to learn to sail in a boat like this is akin to giving your 16yr old son a CBR1000 for his 16th birthday.   Thoughts? Thanks E  

Alan Crawford

Alan Crawford

Super anarchist.

Go over to Dinghy Anarchy and search "MegaByte". There's a thread with some good info and some contacts that can help you.  

Kingstonsail

Kingstonsail

Instead of ITSMEGA   how about some megatits  

I don't think it was the boat as much as the breeze, try again in under 10 and get comfortable before you work up.  

  • Thread starter

So it was more day than boat from the sounds of it.  I'll give it another shot next weekend.    

Great Red Shark

Great Red Shark

see below....arrhg  

Great Red Shark said: The CBR 1000 RR analogy MIGHT be apt,  except the throttle works BOTH ways and is controlled by the operator.  The Megabyte is a great boat,  but it's quite powered-up.  If you don't have some size to you AND know what you are doing,  yeah - you are going to get your ass handed to you in more than a few knots of wind.   I like mine a whole lot,  but it sounds like you might want someone to sail with you until you accumulate some hours-in-type.  While not an "in-accessable" boat like the Moth or an I-14,  the Mega was designed for people that know what they are doing - it's NOT a basic trainer. The Megabyte is much more comfortable than the Laser and has several design aspects that are a big improvement,  in my opinion - but it is a performance boat - light and a bit fragile, with a LOT of juice for someone not anticipating what's about to happen next. Don't despair,  and don't feel you need to sell it off,  but you might want to get some further instruction and maybe find someone with some experience for your next sail in breeze.   Heck - I'm pretty good at this sailing thing and the first time I sailed my Mega I went out in light conditions just so I didn't have to do a lot of swimming getting used to it. Click to expand...

Steam Flyer

Steam Flyer

Sophisticated yet humble.

ItsMega said: So.. like the title says.  I've sailed a sunfish a few times and figured id have more fun in a more substantial boat.  Tried sailing over the weekend, and it was a DISASTER.  Save for a good PFD you'd all be reading about another sailer w/o a PFD that drown.  Ended up being towed in, sail down, by a powerboat.  Granted, it was a windy (18+ knot) day.  Have I made a huge mistake?  Someone told me that trying to learn to sail in a boat like this is akin to giving your 16yr old son a CBR1000 for his 16th birthday.   Thoughts? Thanks E Click to expand...
Steam Flyer said: No, I think you're pretty lucky twice over. The Megabyte is an awesome boat and while it has a good bit of power, it's not really a beast. One thing to do is to practice capsizing in calm conditions. I don't know what went wrong but I'd be willing to bet that things got out of hand and you did not have a solid routine to fall back on. 18 knots is a lot of wind for a beginner in a boat like this but to be honest you could have gotten in just as much trouble with a Sunfish. You need to watch some of DTA's videos, true he's in a slightly different boat. Check into Dinghy Anarchy though and there will be plenty of good advice. FB- Doug Click to expand...
ItsMega said: I got plenty of capsizing practice that day.  I was hanging off of the daggerboard no fewer than 6 or 7 times.  Without a doubt I don't have the fundamentals down.  I got stuck in a situation, and had NO IDEA how to get out.  I longed for the single cleat that would allow me to drop the Sunfish sail, but there's nothing like that on a MB....   To Great Red Shark's comment - I weigh 180#, so I have some heft, but am utterly w/o skill yet. Click to expand...

K9u20

Megabyte is a great boat. Give it some time and start out in lighter winds. You could also get a smaller mainsail for the heavy air.  One on eBay now https://www.ebay.com/itm/282599996757   

K9u20 said: Megabyte is a great boat. Give it some time and start out in lighter winds. You could also get a smaller mainsail for the heavy air.  One on eBay now https://www.ebay.com/itm/282599996757  Click to expand...

Somebody Else

Somebody Else

A person of little consequence.

You'll get used to it and it will make all your sailing on all size boats better. There is no better teacher than to have the results of sail trim and hull trim thrown in your face constantly. My first day of owning a Laser was blowing over 20. I had minimal dingy experience but lots of time in keelboats. I started off going upwind and quickly learned hiking and trimming and basic boat control. When it became time to turn around I thought--coming from sedate keelboats--that now it got easier. One-half second later and <WHOMP!> Huh!! That was intense! Right the boat, reach off, turn downwind and <WHOMP!> Jeeze! What's the deal here?! Rinse and repeat countless times until, exhausted, I pulled the Laser up to a dock, found a pay phone, and called my dad to drive around and pick me (and the boat) up. Fast-forward a few month and I had become my area's heavy weather Laser hero. So I plopped the boat on top of my car and drove up to San Francisco for a winter regatta because there weren't many Lasers in SoCal at the time. 25+ knots. I held my own upwind and then got my ass handed to me in a smokin' ebb chop! The daggerboard and rudder would start singing that song and I thought, "This is great!" until I punched through the wave in front with such force that it knocked me clear off the back of the boat. Several times! I ended up tying the sheet around my waist so the boat wouldn't continue planing away because I was getting pretty damn tired swimming after it. But, hey! I drove all the way up here; may as well finish the race, right? By the time I crossed in front of St Francis and got a horn, there were no boats left on the water. As I'm pulling my boat onto the dolly, several guys came by and said, "Good work! You got 2nd!" Like the I Ching says: Perseverance furthers.  

Hitchhiker

Hoopy Frood

Go sailing with someone else who has a basic or fundamental understanding of a moderate to high performance dinghy.  A laser sailor would work well. Space enough for two of you. Please do not bail from this boat.  You will likely not find a better pedigree of single hander.  

Moonduster

  • Aug 8, 2017

Yeah, big mistake. Not the megabyte, sailing. Learning to sail will be your downfall. You'll lose interest in cars and golf. You'll alienate your friends who correctly discern that you're becoming an elitist. You'll sneak out of work on Friday afternoons, compromising your career. You'll squander intellectual capital on the benefits of aramids, the details of the drag bucket and the implications of Reynolds' numbers. You'll get mired in the muck of the alphabet: I, E, P, J, PHRF, IOR, MORC, ISAF, NOR, SI, DWL, LOA, RM1 and many, many more. You'll jeopardize your kids' college funds in exchange for yacht club dues, slip fees, bottom jobs and the odd sailing vacation. Your relationships will suffer as you learn that if she can't stand up in it, she won't lay down in it.  Your soul will be sucked dry as you try to explain to others that while it's true you spent the weekend cold, wet, sore and exhausted confined in a space no larger than a tent, that the independence of it all was really worthwhile - more so when they point out that's what the homeless say, too. Yeah, big mistake. I recommend you track down that genius who saved his life by selling you the megabyte and just give it back. Let them keep the cash. Get out while you can. Escape into opiates - at least they have 12-step programs.  

Moonduster said: Yeah, big mistake. Not the megabyte, sailing. Learning to sail will be your downfall. You'll lose interest in cars and golf. You'll alienate your friends who correctly discern that you're becoming an elitist. You'll sneak out of work on Friday afternoons, compromising your career. You'll squander intellectual capital on the benefits of aramids, the details of the drag bucket and the implications of Reynolds' numbers. You'll get mired in the muck of the alphabet: I, E, P, J, PHRF, IOR, MORC, ISAF, NOR, SI, DWL, LOA, RM1 and many, many more. You'll jeopardize your kids' college funds in exchange for yacht club dues, slip fees, bottom jobs and the odd sailing vacation. Your relationships will suffer as you learn that if she can't stand up in it, she won't lay down in it.  Your soul will be sucked dry as you try to explain to others that while it's true you spent the weekend cold, wet, sore and exhausted confined in a space no larger than a tent, that the independence of it all was really worthwhile - more so when they point out that's what the homeless say, too. Yeah, big mistake. I recommend you track down that genius who saved his life by selling you the megabyte and just give it back. Let them keep the cash. Get out while you can. Escape into opiates - at least they have 12-step programs. Click to expand...

Wow ... some people just don't get sarcasm at all ...  

Moonduster said: Wow ... some people just don't get sarcasm at all ... Click to expand...

Eddie_E

ItsMega said: I got plenty of capsizing practice that day.  I was hanging off of the daggerboard no fewer than 6 or 7 times watching a $2k+ MKII mast slowly rise from the  water.  Without a doubt I don't have the fundamentals down.  I got stuck in a situation, and had NO IDEA how to get out.  I longed for the single cleat that would allow me to drop the Sunfish sail, but there's nothing like that on a MB....   To Great Red Shark's comment - I weigh 180#, so I have some heft, but am utterly w/o skill yet. Click to expand...

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Megabyte, 2017

Big Savings on a 2017 Megabyte! Hull #370 that was bought by the Megabyte class president as a demo. at [email protected]

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Megabyte

The Bruce Farr designed Megabyte is one of those dinghies that does everything just right. This dinghy has a single, powerful 100 sq. ft. main carried on a marvelously, light, flexible carbon fiber mast. Incorporated in its 14 ft. 7 inch frame, are all the years of dinghy manufacturing experience of Ian Bruce, the builder of the original Laser. The cockpit is wide and deep with perfectly beveled sides allowing the sailor to hike or sit inboard in maximum comfort. The boat plains easily, upwind and down. Originally designed as the “gentleman’s Finn” it was targeted for a single sailer in the 200-225 lbs. weight range. But that attempt to categorize the Megabyte falls short. First, it comes with two sets of hiking straps so it is easy to load a crew on board. The boat sails well even with 400 lbs. on board. The full amidships traveler, powerful vang, Cunningham and outhaul on the flexible mast means that the lighter sailer can easily de-power the boat and handle higher wind conditions.

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  1. Megabyte

    Megabyte. The Megabtye is a fast, yet stable boat that can be sailed with two crew or raced singlehanded. The boat was designed to carry some "serious weight" with a proper cockpit laid out for two people, but with the simplicity of a single sail. The Megabyte's lightweight, tapered, carbon fiber mast and fully battened Mylar sail provide ...

  2. Megabyte sailboats for sale by owner.

    Megabyte preowned sailboats for sale by owner. Megabyte used sailboats for sale by owner.

  3. Megabyte

    About Megabyte. Specifications: Length: 14′ 3″ (4.34 m) Beam: 5′ 2″ (1.57 m) Mainsail area: 100 sq.ft. (9.29 m²) Hull weight: 130 lb. (59 kg) Sails & Rigging: Fully battened Mylar sail (MK II rig) or the original and more conventional MK I rig which has the stiffer mast and partially battened sail. Carbon fiber 2-piece mast ...

  4. MEGABYTE

    MEGABYTE is a cat-rigged dinghy designed by Bruce Farr and built by Performance Sailcraft and Zim Sailing. It has a length of 14.25 ft, a sail area of 100 sq ft, and a displacement of 130 lb.

  5. Megabyte

    The Megabtye is a fast, yet stable boat that can be sailed with two crew or raced singlehanded. The boat was designed to carry some "serious weight" with a proper cockpit laid out for two people, but with the simplicity of a single sail. The Megabyte's lightweight, tapered, carbon fiber mast and laminated polyester sail provide plenty of power when needed, and are easy to depower with ...

  6. 2000 Megabyte Megabyte sailboat for sale in Maryland

    3.5'. Maryland. $4,200. Description: Megabyte for Sale in Annapolis. 2000 Megabyte Dinghy in immaculate, like new condition. Super stiff hull from quality Canadian builder PS2000, barely used! Great singlehanded racing design, 2000 Sailing World Boat of the Year. Stable, very fast planing hull, this boat is by all accounts a joy to sail!

  7. MegaByte

    These proportions give the MegaByte stability and, more importantly, the sail-carrying power to allow it to be muscled up in the sail-area department. The displacement of the MegaByte also means you can have friends with you on this dinghy. The bigger hull (bigger than a Laser's) allows the MegaByte to have a real cockpit with an average depth ...

  8. Megabyte

    Megabyte is a 14′ 2″ / 4.3 m monohull sailboat designed by Bruce Farr and built by Performance Sailcraft and Zim Sailing starting in 2005. ... Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay). D: ...

  9. Megabyte Tuning Guide

    Megabyte Tuning Guide. Getting the Most from Your Megabyte Mark I Rig. By Leszek Vincent and Jim Crabtree. First, you need to sail the boat flat, as flat is fast. Also, do not try to over-trim the boat to windward, as the boat will slow down quickly if you over-trim or pinch. If there is a chop, you must fall off a few degrees and go for speed.

  10. Megabyte

    The Megabtye is a fast, yet stable boat that can be sailed with two crew or raced singlehanded. The boat was designed to carry some "serious weight" with a proper cockpit laid out for two people, but with the simplicity of a single sail. The Megabyte's lightweight, tapered, carbon fiber mast and battened Mylar sail provide plenty of power ...

  11. 6 Great Sailboats For Tall People (With Pictures)

    3. Megabyte. The Megabyte is a newer design and class of dinghy, made currently by Zim Sailing. It is similar to the old Finn design in the hull and rig, but it is a much lighter boat and has a more ergonomic layout. For the tall sailor, the attraction will be the large, deep cockpit and the high boom.

  12. Megabyte 14' Performance Sailboat with Trailer

    Description 2002 Megabyte Sailboat - 14' Bruce Farr design - Excellent condition- Continental galvanized trailer in like new condition with lights, winch and support wheel - Race and daysail Mylar mainsails - hi-tech rigging and lines - Carbon fiber two piece mast - Full mast up boat cover - Mast sleeve cover - Bottom trailering cover - Two foam deck blocks for mast and boom storage while ...

  13. 2008 Zim PS2000 Performance Sailcraft Megabyte

    Megabyte performance dinghy in good condition. Lightly used in the waters off Fort McHenry, using the ramp at the Canton Waterfront Park. This is a fast, fun performance sailboat with stiff, planing hull. Carbon fiber mast, aluminum boom, extruded aluminum foils, Mylar Dimension Polyant sail, 100sf sail area.

  14. Laser VS. Byte/MegaByte

    A Byte seems to be a nice boat, especially suited for lighter sailors. But it is not very popular in the USA or Europe (as pointed out in the earlier post). Marketing/presence is stronger in Canada, where the boat is built, and in the Orient (lighter weight sailors on the avg). Check the Byte website to find out more. Aug 14, 2005.

  15. Megabyte Parts

    MKII Upper mast section for the Megabyte Sailboat. Comes with track installed. Carbon fiber construction. Megabyte Carpet, Thin, Grey. $6.30. Used to replace carpet on rudderheads and centerbords for a variety of boats. Sale 53% Megabyte Sail Cuff. Macdiarmid Sails $7.35. $3.45. Sail Cuff Sale 56% ...

  16. Bought a Megabyte to learn to sail

    The Megabyte is an awesome boat and while it has a good bit of power, it's not really a beast. One thing to do is to practice capsizing in calm conditions. I don't know what went wrong but I'd be willing to bet that things got out of hand and you did not have a solid routine to fall back on. 18 knots is a lot of wind for a beginner in a boat ...

  17. The Gentleman's Finn

    107 sq. ft. The Megabyte is built in Canada. Contact Performance Sailcraft in Quebec for purchasing information in North America. Distribution in the UK is through The Dinghy Store: www.dinghystore.co.uk. Performance Sailcraft 2000. 2555 Dollard, Unit 14B. Lasalle, Quebec, H8N 2A9, Canada. Phone: (514) 363-5050. Fax: (514) 363-1552.

  18. Megabyte sailboat for sale

    Go to Sailing Texas classifieds for current sailboats for sale . 2001 Megabyte Sailing World's 2000 Boat of the Year (Dinghy) Dry, stiff, and FAST!! A Bruce Farr design that can be best described as a cross between a Laser and a Finn, but unlike the two, it's actually comfortable to sail! As a single-hander it's an absolute thrill, yet roomy ...

  19. 2002 Zim Sailing Megabyte sailboat for sale in New York

    New York. $3,000. Description: 2002 Megabyte PS2000. 130 lb hull designed for heavier sailors (Optimum Single handed weight - 225lbs) 100 sq ft sail area. Extremely fast boat. Launching Dolly included. Now being made by Zim Sailing - Cost new $10,000.

  20. Megabyte sailboats for sale by owner.

    36' Islander Islander 36 Crescent Sail Yacht Club Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Asking $12,000

  21. Megabyte, 2017, Mid-Missouri, sailboat for sale from Sailing Texas

    Megabyte, 2017, Mid-Missouri, yacht for sale, sailboat for sale. 9/16/19, Megabyte, 2017, Mid-Missouri, $8,250, Price reduced 9/23/19 to $7,750, SOLD 2/10/20 ... Texas Lakes: Sailboats Wanted: Contact: Free Sailboat Ad: Go to Sailing Texas classifieds for current sailboats for sale . Megabyte, 2017 Big Savings on a 2017 Megabyte! Hull #370 that ...

  22. Megabyte sailboat covers

    The boat plains easily, upwind and down. Originally designed as the "gentleman's Finn" it was targeted for a single sailer in the 200-225 lbs. weight range. But that attempt to categorize the Megabyte falls short. First, it comes with two sets of hiking straps so it is easy to load a crew on board. The boat sails well even with 400 lbs ...

  23. Megabyte 14 sailboats for sale by owner.

    Megabyte 14 preowned sailboats for sale by owner. Megabyte 14 used sailboats for sale by owner.