Help me decide please.......

[buildscapeinc]

Looking to get my next sailplane. My current quiver includes an electric Renny, Gambler AG and a 40" scratch built DLG along the lines of the Apogee. I received a high start (Tower Hobbies heavy duty model) for Christmas & have decided it is time to have a plane to make use of it.

I'm looking at the EZBubble Dancer (117" ws & $320) or Art Hobby Thermic RES (98.4" ws & $209).
http://polecataero.com/products/ezbd
http://www.arthobby.com/shop.html

Would I be a fool to not spend the extra $110 & get the EZBD?

A little more info:
-I know the Thermic will go together in a fraction of the time but I do not mind building at all (though my wife is not a big fan of the kitchen table/work bench during any build).
-I realize the Thermic will need a little bit of reinforcing here & there.
-I do not plan on using a winch any time soon (never even seen one in person for that matter).
-This will be the first time I have used a high start, though there is a guy I have flown with locally who uses a high start with his 144" Sail Air.
-I do want RES for this one, might make the transition later to a full house, but for now RES.
-Flying field is plenty big for either.

So I guess my biggest question is what are the advantages of the BD (or advantages of the extra 20") and are they worth the extra time & $?

Any input is greatly appreciated,
Brian

p.s. Feel free to make any other recommendations along the lines of these 2 planes (I will not be spending any more than I would on the EZBD though, say $350 tops for the airframe).

[StevenatorLTFO]

I vote for the BD, if your not intimidated by the build.

[Hostage-46]

Yep ... BD all the way.

[kzimmerm]

The BD is a proven design and is flown by a lot of pilots. You will not be disappointed with it's performance and is well worth the price.

Kurt

[aeajr]

Bubble Dancer would be my choice.

[lincoln]

I don't know the EZBubble Dancer, though I've flown, for a very few minutes, a real Bubble Dancer and liked it a lot. Are you sure you don't want to build one of those??

I know people who like the aileron version of the Thermik.

However, it's almost apples and oranges. The larger glider is a whole other animal. You're in for a performance treat. Even the 100" will be another thing compared to the small stuff you've been flying.

Don't worry about the high start. Just start with a conservative (forward) tow hook position, throw straight and hard, and, if you get in trouble, put the nose down a little to get more turn authority. Once you're used to it, move the hook back a little bit (maybe 3/16") at a time and watch the launch height improve. Eventually it will get squirelly and you'll want to move it one notch forward.

[aeajr]

Learning to use a hi-start
http://forums.flyesl.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=216

[Andy W]

Two very different models for very different conditions, in my opinion.

My AVA (BD clone) is a great floater, but not much good in wind and overkill on good thermal days. I'm building an Art Hobby High Aspect for those conditions..
..a

[rdwoebke]

The EZBD is a great flyer, but I'd contact Denny via the phone first to make certian the kits are in stock before you get your heart completely set on it.

If the EZBD was not in stock and you wanted to build a big wood built up, the OlyIII would be great as would the Marauder.

I don't know a lot about the quality of that Tower high start, but perhaps you might first investigate how strong it is? One of Tower's brands (Dynaflight) used to sell a high start they labled as "heavy duty" but in reality it was not so strong.

Ryan

[slozuke]

My AVA (BD clone) is a great floater..... and overkill on good thermal days.

How can you have overkill on a good thermal day? Does it thermal too good? NO, don't go up!!! Come down, come down!! Hahaha! :p

Anyway, back on topic....
I have friend who has the Thermic and wishes for something more. Although it works great for Slermal launching from a hill he is always paranoid about launching from a strong hi-start. I'd go for the BD.

[Andy W]

Just saying it's like using a hammer to crack a nut.. of course, it will fly just fine (unless it's very windy, then it's no fun..)
..a

[Skysailer]

I am sure that the EZ Bubble Dancer is a great plane. In fact I ordered one about six months ago. The problem is that I'm still waiting for delivery. I would agree with Ryan - call Denny and try and get some commitment before placing the order. Even after speaking to him, my advice to you is that if you want a sailplane in a reasonable time - look somewhere else!

[StevenatorLTFO]

Not on your list above, but take a peek at some of the Birds by Ray Hayes. I recently picked a Skybird up from a fellow club member, and it is an awesome airplane to fly.

Steve

[Lance Prior]

I would go for the Art Hobby plane. I don’t like to build that much and that would have a lot to do with my choice. Art Hobby planes are very well designed, inexpensive, Art Hobby ships fast and customer service is very good. Another thing is the Dynaflite heavy duty high start says it has a 1/16” wall which seams a little thin. I am thinking you would get a better launch with the smaller Art Hobby plane.

[buildscapeinc]

Thanks for all of the info guys, great advise & much appreciated.

I seem to have had a mental break though yesterday and have found a solution. I really like scratch building planes.....bagging wings, molding pods etc. The only draw back is the time it takes to get one finished up. I often get burnt out half way through & my "half" of our large kitchen table/work bench is simply an eyesore for everyone to see & my very patient wife can only be patient for so long. Most of my building is done by staying up to 3-4am a couple of nights a week trying not to take away from the wife & kid time.

I remodel houses for a living & have decided to just take on some small jobs here & there where I can work on them after hours. So instead of staying up late to build I will stay up late & go to work. The money earned working at night will go to purchasing a new plane, probably an AVA in this case. The way I see it the kitchen table will be cleared off much more often, the end result of the plane will surely look & fly better than one I scratch build & I will spend much less time up late at night (can definitely earn money faster than the time it takes to build one from scratch). I'm sure I'll still build a few originals here & there but not for the big stuff like I am looking at now.

Anyway, thanks again for all of your input,
Brian

Oh yeah, anyone want to get rid of their AVA? To be sure you need a more challenging plane to fly by now.