LP refusing to charter

"At this point I don't think this is news or anything even resembling a big secret... LaserPerformance have decided they no longer want to participate in the boat charter business for major events like this. As I understand, the lone exception is here in North America for the High School and College Sailing singlehanded championships, but other than those they will not provide charter boats for any other events (US Sailing Singlehanded Champs, European Champs, World events, etc.).

Going forward LaserPerformance says it will focus entirely on boat building. All previous "support" functions once performed by LP will be transferred to their sister company McClaren which will handle sports marketing. Organizations once receiving "support" from LP can now apply for sponsorship to McClaren."

It means those that sail lasers and want to travel will have to do what the rest of us do and ship them out to the venue in containers.  At least lasers are relatively easy to pack - short boats, two piece masts etc.

^

Doesn't scale though. I am not a Laser sailor but I was at HISC when several huge lorries turned up packed with charter hulls for the Worlds. Upwards of a hundred of them. They were all unpacked and prep'd - as far as I know by the HISC marine team. It's a big logistical exercise. As far as I'm aware a lot of the sailors doing Laser international events pay the charter fee and turn up for some convenience international racing somewhere in the world. Organising it all yourself is another proposition.

Seems to me the wheels are coming off Laser sailing in it's present form and honestly - it's the class organisation that has maintained demand for the boats. Who'd buy a new Laser in this day and age if it wasn't for the class? This seems a hugely self-destructive move by LP.

More discussion at http://sailingforums.com/threads/tight-tolerances.23471/page-2

Or everyone will start sailing other boats :)

I know, my thoughts were of wishful thinking!