Hardware development

Having said that, possibly the biggest change from 'state of the art when I were a lad' is dyneema. In 1980, splicing was something old blokes did on gaffers. Now we use it a lot to simplify the string. But easily spliced plait dyneema is not new. One of my favourite upgrades is a spiro/'rocket launcher' kite pole system, but that was available when Ford Sierras were new.

Another big step I thought was boats like the RS400, where the deck moulding and some of the fittings/fit out were actually sorted out in a joined-up way. Still a t lot new-ish boats which look like someone bought a bare hull and then went shopping for blocks and cleats. And wedges and shims!

What have we actually done this century? forgotten about hydraulic rig adjustment? (that is perhaps not a bad thing?)

Clam cleats on main halyards are probably the one thing I've replaced on every boat that's had one (or two). But I wouldn't choose to go back to those hook racks and wire halyards.

Soft attach blocks are great sometimes, other times a more controlled fixing like a flip-flop block is better.

I'm not a huge fan of stuff like LF rings or soft shackles just for the sake of it.

Best upgrade in my experience is auto ratchet blocks, but they are not a new invention. Anyone want a tufnol one for a classic dinghy?

TBH, most of the gear which makes up a scary sum on a new boat has not changed all that much in about 40 years.