Stifled Development

It would make it easier to adjust the outhaul ... and make it quicker to rig and de- rig; now that really is a benefit.

Rick

I was sailing Fireballs at the time most of these changes went through (won the nationals in 94) and most of us in the fleet felt the changes were quite radical at the time and all supported the progress. I guess it depends on your outlook; if you sail a development class it probably looked like small beer but for a one design they changes were quite significant.

Rick

The Fireball never went through any radical changes (apart from in the sixties where someone added a trapeze and a kite)

Foam sandwich appeared back in the late 80s, and the only real change in the shape was not a rule change anyway...the Aussies worked out there was a loophole in the rules allowing you to build with slightly fuller bows, giving better manners on the sea.

Winder boats have built the bulk of the recent UK boats, but there were a lot of Swiss built Duvoisins at the worlds this year (as well as Aussie YMS boats) plus a huge amount of older manufacturers' and homebuilt wood, all FRP and composite boats.

Fireballs have always been very conservative indeed WRT rules changes, and the kevlar sails change is still open to debate.  Many teams were still using Dacron instead, although hopefully initial problems with kevlar durability are now sorted with design development from the major lofts.  It is just that the Winder hull is such a good and well made product it looks a bit "samey" round the boatpark.  However, it is this controlled development that has allowed old boats to stay competitive...the 10th placed boat out of 179 at the worlds was GBR13945, that is now almost 1000 boats old, and probably dates from the 80s!

Although I personally would not like to see carbon masts just yet, as let's face it, with a rig as sensitive as a Fireballs, you're gonna need to build a mast to an exact set of "numbers" to use the Finn analogy, which is outside the scope of home builders, I can't see that allowing carbon in poles and tillers will make much of a difference, and is possible for the keen DIY amateur.

The one I struggle with is why FB's never went to a loose footed sail?  There's probably a good reason, and sailmaker care to comment?

Can't comment on the Scorp but the Fireball went through some pretty radical construction changes to get where it is today plus developing beyond dacron sails.

Rick