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Classes fading in popularity

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Jon Emmett View Drop Down
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    Posted: 27 Jun 05 at 9:47am
I still believe the 29erX is going to require far more skill than the 29er. A lot of Topper and Oppy teams jump into the 29er, no problem. I do not believe this could happen with the 29erX. The 29erX will be far more responsive and although the weight range is likely not to be too much greater (but remember the 29er is pretty underpowered) the skill level is likely to be much higher. In the upper wind strength it may well seem harder than the 49er, although not as powerful it will be far more twitchy due to its short length.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote squeek Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 05 at 11:18am
im a 29er sailor and i see the 29erX as a step(quite a big one) up from the 29er. you can happeily step from a 405 into a 29er and  sail it reasonabily competivly within a month. oppy sailors and topper spend 3 months swiming( im not joking !!)
29ers are quite a handfull and adding a bigger rig and an extra trapize is goint to make  the 29erX even more of a handful. its NOT going to be possible for oppy n topper sailors to go straight into a 29erX regardless of size. i can see it could seem harder than a 49er coz of twitchyness and aldo think of the amount of room you have in a 49er comnpared to a 29erX. the wings on a 49er make it fairly easy to tack but in the X you wont have any!! smaller space to do everyfing not as much leaverage etc etc......andyone have one i can have a ride in
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Post Options Post Options   Quote yellowhammer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 05 at 12:32pm

All this talk of sailors jumping from one class to another depending on the latest thing on the market ... we (Joe Public) are obviously driving the swings in popularity.

What happened to class loyalty? Improving within a class and gradually working your way up the results tables. The Dev't or less strict OD classes suit this, as it allows the boat to be optimised around your perferences as you discover them. You also become part of an 'extended family'.

Many SMODs are for the people who treat boats like cars ... change them every 2-3 years for the latest model and never get involved in their class ... who needs them anyway!

Maybe that's why the 'big three' tend to market them more and more as leisure boats, without sail numbers in many cases.

One or two long-term gems may emerge though.



Edited by yellowhammer
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Matt Jackson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 05 at 12:54pm

I think that's probably a little harsh. I'd say a lot (if not most) class changes are because of factors other than 'having the latest thing' like geographical moves, family changes, personal development and change in financial situation. There aren't many people these days whose personal circumstances are static for extended periods.

Personally I've changed class at least 6 times but none of those have been because I want the latest hyped boat. There are people who have such a class loyalty that they carry on sailing boats completely unsuited to them and hate every minute of it but peer pressure dictates they struggle on.

I don't believe anyone has the right to judge others choice (or change) of class.

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Post Options Post Options   Quote yellowhammer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 05 at 1:21pm
Originally posted by Matt Jackson

Personally I've changed class at least 6 times but none of those have been because I want the latest hyped boat.

Have you joined the Class Association each time Matt? If you have I'll forgive you



Edited by yellowhammer
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Matt Jackson View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Matt Jackson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 05 at 1:35pm

Mostly - but I don't think that's relevant. You wouldn't expect every car/motorbike owner to join an owners group no matter how passionate they are about their vehicle.

At some points of my life and with certain classes I would have seen no benefit whatsoever in joining a class assoc.



Edited by Matt Jackson
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Post Options Post Options   Quote yellowhammer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 05 at 1:53pm
Originally posted by Matt Jackson

At some points of my life and with certain classes I would have seen no benefit whatsoever in joining a class assoc.

The active associations manage the rules and direct boat developments on behalf of all owners (or members), which defines the basis on which you race and helps maintain boat values, etc

On this basis, surely every racing sailor benefits from the work of the active associations, whether or not you go to class events

It's a bit like the arguement over non trade unionists benefitting from salary increases etc won by union members (but we won't go there!)



Edited by yellowhammer
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Matt Jackson View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Matt Jackson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 05 at 1:59pm

I don't think there IS a rule that says you must be a class assoc. member to race unless it's in the sailing instructions (my club certainly doesn't require it) I could be wrong (it's been proved here on a few occasions) but can you point me to where it says this? (response to the pre-edited post)

These are benefits the class gets from me being a member not what I get if I just want to race my boat locally and never intend selling it. It's NOTHING like trade unions by the way.

Hypothetically - if I don't go to TT events I see no benefit from being a class assoc. member. A car sticker certainly doen't cover it!



Edited by Matt Jackson
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Post Options Post Options   Quote yellowhammer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 05 at 2:03pm
Matt ... see the edit (crossed wires)
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Post Options Post Options   Quote brys Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 05 at 2:04pm

Yar vill pey ze claZZ associazion fee Meiner frund! or elze be zent to zee spezial kamp fer der nun payerz schweinen!

Come on we are not a total police state (well not quite yet..........)  !

 

 

 

 

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