Advertising via sail numbers? 55

Originally posted by iGRF ..... but all the time the vested interest of the luddite owners is appeased, it'll just be what it is, an antediluvian class that won't even wear lipstick.

It's actually in the interests of the majority of the class to ensure there is a reasonable depth of talent to race against.

I share your interests in developing new stuff, but when it comes to getting out racing, I would do better to ditch my RS400 (which is no longer modern itself) and race the local class with a 1906 hull design. But I want to strike a balance between fun performance, tactical racing and cost.

What you want is out there in the Moths and Inter 14's, but most of us don't have the cash to buy something new every two years, or the talent to justify it.

I think this era is a bad time for you, to some extent you would have been more easily pleased in the 90's when people were being drawn to the new classes a) because asy's gave them a speed boost, and b) because there was a lot of easy money about to pay for it. In those days it was easy to up your mortgage a bit and trade up your car with enough to spare for a Boss or RS800 or whatever. A lot of top sailors went into the new classes, now the best action is in older classes.

Sailboards seemed to meet all your ideas of 'better' but who's racing them at club level these days?
We used to have a dedicated club in Southsea, that's packed up due to lack of support.
You could say the same about cats, used to have mega fleets around here, a lot of their best sailors are now spotted in much slower boats getting a lot of fun from their racing.

Anyway if you want to develop the V2, buy this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fast-classic-International-Moth-sailing-dinghy-project-boat-needs-paint-/261166668092?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing_Boats_ET&hash=item3ccebf193c

Only kidding!

oi, leave the ebay moth alone, it's on my watch list.

GMYK, we all (OK, maybe not all - I can think of some exceptions) understand sailing better than GRF, but are nothing like as good at trolling.

By the way, GMYK - as a printer, I first wondered why you were listing toner colours till I saw the extra bit on the G, and saw it wasn't a C...

You've got an old style pre-amalgamation, and one with wings - any more than that? I've lost track.

This would fill a gap, but I'm sure there are variations which need exploring, even if not getting airbourne...

I have two with wings.....

the fireball is a superb boat and like the 5oh, the 470 and the contender, barely shows signs of age.  Most of these designs have lasted so well because they were ahead of their time, which was the root cause of their popularity when they were launched and explains their staying power.