SMOD Upgrade

I think it is vital for a SMOD to rejuvinate if it wants to survive because I don't believe the identikit nature of SMODs is the most important reason why people sail them (else why haven't Laser closed the tiller loop hole?). 

In my opinion there are 3 main reasons why most people buy a SMOD.  In order of most to least important:

They are easy to buy - well marketed, no confusion as to who to buy from, available off the shelf

They are cheaper, faster and easier than the development class from which they are usually derived

They look contemporary - this is more important if the class is sold as 'high performance'

If you lose any of these avantages, folk will flock to something else, whether it is another SMOD, a traditional one-design or a development class.  Success breeds success.  People buy into classes that are perceived to be growing (and conversely sell from classes perceived to be shrinking). 

Equally I don't believe that the majority of Merlin Rocket and N12 sailors sail those classes because they like to tinker.  They sail them because they like modern, high quality kit and the development aspect means that they don't fall behind the times (unless the rules get in the way).  Most N12 sailors don't design new hulls or try out new rigs, they just buy whatever the winner is using because it is proven to be fast and effective.

There is a lot of pigeon holing of SMODs and development classes, but in reality the boundaries are more blurred.  Most people like sailing something that is modern and looks good.  The development classes offer this, at a price and with no compromise towards comfort or practicality.  The SMODs also offers this, at a good price but only for a limited period of time before they look dated again.  Twenty years on they show their age, so they have to adapt or die.