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A new class of dinghy?
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turnturtle View Drop Down
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    Posted: 20 Sep 18 at 10:27am
I’m sure there are many contributing reasons as to why the icon flopped - I’d say the naff red sail trim was more damaging than any actions by the PYAG, but hey, that doesn’t suit your vendetta. 😘
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I don’t think any small independent could launch a new class now. 

What was the last non-Laser/Topper/RS New class that actually achieved a 50 boat nationals?




Edited by Old Timer - 20 Sep 18 at 11:28am
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Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Sep 18 at 11:36am
Originally posted by turnturtle

I’m sure there are many contributing reasons as to why the icon flopped - I’d say the naff red sail trim was more damaging than any actions by the PYAG, but hey, that doesn’t suit your vendetta. 😘


No it doesn't, wether it was a spat between suppliers, or something more sinister, the world has been denied another nice boat and here we are waxing lyrical about exactly what it was, a more modern and simpler to operate Tasar.

It's a poison chalice for anyone even thinking about entering this market with all the vested interest ranged against them from whichever quarter it comes.

Sadly Old Timer is spot on.

Edited by iGRF - 20 Sep 18 at 11:37am
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Originally posted by Old Timer


I don’t think any small independent could launch a new class now. 
What was the last non-Laser/Topper/RS New class that actually achieved a 50 boat nationals?



It obviously took a while, but Supernova springs to mind.
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Posts: 1020 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Oli Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Sep 18 at 12:13pm
Originally posted by Bootscooter

Originally posted by Old Timer


I don’t think any small independent could launch a new class now. 
What was the last non-Laser/Topper/RS New class that actually achieved a 50 boat nationals?



It obviously took a while, but Supernova springs to mind.

how new is new?  if manufacturing started in this millennium then the only dinghy class would be musto skiff, if last decade then none.
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The success of any class is basically about the class association. Even more in these days of social networking I suspect. A good number of enthusiastic charismatic people working with the builder could go a long way. But I think for that to work the class would need to be potential owner led rather than builder led.

Mobilise, I dunno, a hundred or so potential owners to work together, put down deposits etc, and the job's half done. I imagine a lot of use have seen the situation where one respected and popular sailor moves classes and a whole lot of people follow...

Heck, get 100 deposits lined up and there will be builders queuing. Of course all those cats will need herding which will be decidedly non trivial but...

Edited by JimC - 20 Sep 18 at 12:59pm
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Originally posted by Old Timer


I don’t think any small independent could launch a new class now. 
What was the last non-Laser/Topper/RS New class that actually achieved a 50 boat nationals?



Phantoms the weekend before last. Solos I expect too. But not new in any sense.

I think new classes from anything other than a big manufacturer will always struggle now. There aren't enough people in sailing anymore and they'll stick with fleets that guarantee participation on the whole. Not many people will take a gamble on a new £8-10k boat knowing in a year or two they won't be able to sell it on without taking a 60-70% hit
Everything I say is my opinion, honest
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Originally posted by Old Timer

I don’t think any small independent could launch a new class now. 

What was the last non-Laser/Topper/RS New class that actually achieved a 50 boat nationals?



Don't know but I think the next will be the H2, 18 out of the 35 boats sold at their first Nationals  Thumbs Up
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Posts: 3011 		Post Options Post Options   Quote RS400atC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Sep 18 at 1:15pm
Originally posted by Old Timer

I don’t think any small independent could launch a new class now. 

What was the last non-Laser/Topper/RS New class that actually achieved a 50 boat nationals?



Are people who buy into new classes necessarily seeking a 50 boat nationals?
If that was your prime concern, you'd probably put up with the downsides of existing fleets and join in.

It seems to me The H2 is a success. AIUI, happy owners, builder not gone bankrupt.
Not everyone has the same success criteria as RS, who need to sell a lot of product, that's their business model, not knocking it, but there are others.
Different MO, different success criteria?
You could say foiling moths are a new class?

But there are few new classes, because nobody much is really trying to market anything that's significantly better than the old classes. However you measure 'better'.
Maybe that's because nobody is demanding it?

My local club created its own class by telling a designer what they wanted and ordering a dozen boats. There you have it. Fleet racing any shape you like. Demand driven. Not 'marketed'.
That was before the war of course.
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Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Sep 18 at 1:16pm
Unless of course something singlehanderish priced about three and a half grand and suitable for pond use were to surface, I'm sure that might get some traction.
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