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Classes fading in popularity
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redback View Drop Down
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Posts: 1502 		Post Options Post Options   Quote redback Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Classes fading in popularity
    Posted: 20 Jun 05 at 10:57pm

This subject often arises in the conterxt of Single Manufacturers One Designs (SMODs).  There is little doubt that some classes will always be with us.  The International 14 will not fade due to its continued development which keeps it at the forefront of dinghy technology.  So to a lesser extent will the other development classes such as Merlin, Moth, N12.  And then there are the not so strict ODs like the 5o5, Scorpion, Wayfarer which by some judicious updating manage to keep popular.  But remember the Maruader and the Mirror 16 to name 2 strict ODs which have faded?  What other classes will fade?  What classes will manage to persist and why?  That's the topic for this thread.
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Stefan Lloyd View Drop Down
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Posts: 1599 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Stefan Lloyd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 05 at 6:41am

Good question.

It's easy to say it's about the boat, and it is the good boats that will last. But as someone who helped run a class association for a few years, I know there is more to it than that. A lot has to do with the energy of the people who run the class, and the willingness of enough class members to put in some work into the association so that those whose enthusiasm for committee working is waning can stand down and be replaced with new blood. Too many class associations (and clubs come to that) are run by slightly jaded individuals who would love to stand down but can't because nobody will take their place.

The Merlin is a class I've sailed but I haven't been involved with the class association, so I can comment without blowing my own trumpet. It is a lovely boat but the main reason the class thrives is the people. It is a class a lot of people stay in for life, everyone knows each other and there is a good range of people prepared to contribute to the running of the class. That is why it manages to withstand the onslaught of similar SMODs with much larger marketing budgets. I remember when the Merlins were worried about the number of Merlin sailors defecting to ISOs. A lot of the younger forum members have probably never seen an ISOs but it was SMOD flavour of the month for a while: here today, gone tomorrow like so many others.
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TheSeaFalcon View Drop Down
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Posts: 345 		Post Options Post Options   Quote TheSeaFalcon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 05 at 7:51am
Well, maybe the boats that didn't last were just ones that gave poor performance! The topper lasts because it's so simple, fun and it's good for all ages - likewise the laser. I think it's also the atmosphere that certain boats have. Some events are really fun because the fleets are so big, and aren't too competative to a certain extent. Others tend to forget the fun side, and this isn't an attraction to new sailors.
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Peter Rhodes View Drop Down
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Posts: 171 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Peter Rhodes Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 05 at 8:01am
the effect they have had on the sport has a lot to do with it for example the mirror has been incredibly popular because of its marketing by the newspaper and has thus revolutionised the sport, now everyone knows what they are about and do not know what simalar boats like the heron and rs feva are like
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Posts: 0 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Guest Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 05 at 8:36am

This thread is in danger of becoming a SMOD 'v' Traditional classes thread.

There are an equal number of successes and failiures in each category.

I think the formula for success is;

1) The boat
2) The people that love the boat and promote it to others

I don't think weathly manufactures can create long term successful classes with their big budgets if the above issues aren't correct. Just look at the RS300, Laser EPS, ISO etc etc ... it has to be a great boat that people love.

In the short term hype can drive a class but when the money runs out so does the hype.

Rick
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nathan View Drop Down
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Posts: 143 		Post Options Post Options   Quote nathan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 05 at 8:37am
I wouldn't say the iso has disappeared.. over 30 boats at the nationals this year. I think the laser eps is up there for least succesful smod class?
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lozza View Drop Down
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Posts: 262 		Post Options Post Options   Quote lozza Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 05 at 8:48am
Originally posted by Guest#260

Just look at the RS300, Laser EPS, ISO etc etc ... it has to be a great boat that people love.

In the short term hype can drive a class but when the money runs out so does the hype.

Out of the 3 classes you have mentioned, only the eps has really disappeared.  The ISO seems to be coming back as a big class.

OK, LDC made a big mess when they launched the 300 and labeled it as an easy to sail single hander that is comfortable to hike in.  It is now recognised as a high performance single hander that is for top club level sailors and as a result, the numbers are increasing at traveller event.  At the recent scottish champs, there were more 300's on the line than 400's!!!
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Posts: 0 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Guest Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 05 at 8:50am

Most of the "failed" SMOD's achieve some level of "end of life" status as they offer very cheap sailing.

However; new boat sales are the best indicator of success for the long-term. If sales have dropped to near zero then it's just a matter of time to the end ...

Rick
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guytoon View Drop Down
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Posts: 82 		Post Options Post Options   Quote guytoon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 05 at 9:43am

I would had the emotional attachment a boat can create.

For exemple I find Int 14 and Cherub endearing while a Laser 4000 or a topper doesn't evoque anything to me (I'm not discussing about their interest or performance...)

While I'm promoting skiffs in france I love Merlin Rocket and National 12 for the same reasons as above.

All old classes which can create some emotion are still alive if they are well driven. All others are simply disappearing when a better boat come to the market (except the 420  )



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Jack Sparrow View Drop Down
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Posts: 2965 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jack Sparrow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 05 at 9:44am
It's all relative.

QUOTE..."In the short term hype can drive a class but when the money
runs out so does the hype." RICK

One of the big issues is exactly the statement above. And in principle this
is how companies make money, it's called 'CHURN' or ROTATION.

But has an unfortunate side effect on the sport of sailing. MARKET
FRAGMENTATION.

I am not anti SMOD but I would like to seem more long termisum in some
of there product launches. In fact to counter what I have just said, allot of
the SMOD classes that have been talked about above come from a time (
not so long ago) when there was a bit of TERRITORY war going on. And
now things seem to of settled down a bit the manufactures are focusing
much better on long term classes.

Through out all of this it is interesting to note that the Breithwaits have (
in my opinion ) show the way it should be done.

Dev classes on the other hand are very difficult to start ( these days,
because the market requires brand status, and in practice this means a
big Ad budget ) but due to there coop nature tend to around for a long
time ( run by the people for the people ). But can also run out of steam
because there isn't a commercial driving force behind the brand.

So it's a difficult situation for all classes. But I do feel that there should be
some sort of control put on new classes moving into a market. Call it a
Racing Class Manufacturing Licence, may be run by the RYA.

I've done it now- that will get every one talking
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