back strap

As far as I know "most" SMOD's class rules generally evolve a little ...

Just look at the Laser and the new controls (which I think are a huge imprvement BTW).

Rick

yes totally agree but to be honist it isnt needed so there is no need to change the rule. 

Out of class on a 4000.  Its a strict one design so you should fit the Laser ones which look a bit naf.  Due to the pole being so long on the 4000 the bow stays up and the crew don't need to go that far back - so they're never used - some crews even tape them up so that the tiller extension can't get into them!

Due to the short waterline length and the high power of a 12 foot skiff, I reckon they'd be a pretty rough ride on all points of sail, hence the reason for having so many foot straps. Even upwind misjudging a wave could see either the crew flying, the extra straps would go to a certain extent of not allowing this to happen and give the crew a bit of reassurance. As boats get longer, their longitudal stability increases, however the more power you put in a rig, the more you increase the chance of the nose going down as you crack off the wind (the rig accelerating quicker than the hull can keep up causing the boat to trip up). Thats basically why the 49ers have hoops at the rear of the wings on top of the fact to keep the crew secure to the boat at high speed. A good tip in high winds within any skiff is to stab the boat down wind on the bear-away instead of a gradual bear-away because it stops the rig from loading up halting it from accelerating at a greater rate than the hull. Sorry for going off-track a little, hope it's helpful Luke.