Uninvented classes

Yes - there are a lot of hiking singlehanders around.....  So then how about a maximum of 15 from each eligible class, handicap and/or pursuit format and results from the best 8 in each class to count towards a 'class' result as well as individuals result.  Now who's really up for it ?

mpl720

The suggestion of having a single-handers version or a non trapeze 2 man version of Fastsail makes a lot of sense as long as you are clear about what you are trying to achieve.

 

It’s true that since we founded Fastsail we have learnt one or two things.
Getting a Class committee to agree is one thing, getting a committee made up from seven Classes who in the past treated each other as sworn enemies is something altogether different.

However the Fastsail model works and is very much still working with more developments and more people buying into it, with the result that Classes are now seeing numbers increase in both boats on the circuit and new boats being built.

The Symmetric Grand Prix might provide a newsworthy press release or two but it’s all the other joint benefits that really make an impact on being a member of a joint Class initiative like Fastsail. Do not fall into the trap of thinking it’s just another event – Fastsail goes much deeper than that.

We are like minded people, sailing similar boats in similar places at a reasonable cost in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, without a corporate money making machine that will drop you like a stone once your model becomes obsolete.

If you’re really interested in creating a joint Class initiative for your Class we’d be more than happy to help and advise so you can avoid some of the issues that we found over the last couple of years.

Go to the fastsail site http://www.fastsail.org register and ask anyone who is there what we are about. There are usually several people on the site, in the shout box, who would be happy to help.

Or you can contact us: Mike@fastsail.org or Cath@fastsail.org

 

 

Edited by Javelin

It would certainly be good for the Europe who currently do not have many events having just lost half a dozen events in 2005 now they will not be in the UK Olympic classes National Rankers (after this weekend).

Find like minded people, sailing similar boats, in similar places, at a reasonable cost, in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere and your there.

So just a couple of issues for you to iron out Scooby but you get the picture.

It's not exactly the same. For one, the development class guys seem to get very dark whenever the word "one design" is mentioned, yet the Formula sailors are very happy to run one design sub-fleets inside their Formula events.

Secondly, the Formula fleets crack down on technology a bit, to ensure that the boats are cheaper; there are no carbon fibre F 18 cats. The minimum weight by some standards is high as a result, but the minimum weight for the N12/MR/N18 is pretty high too.

Formula-type restricted classes in dinghies has always sounded good to me, but it does require a bit of an attitude change, perhaps. Maybe the restricted classes would have to admit that the great number of sailors who like ODs are not ignorant fools, which (as someone who sails in OD and restricted classes) is often the attitude.

There was one new OD class down here (Australia) recently launched that was basically the same as the restricted 14' Javelin (big Cherub) but 1' longer. It seemed like a really dumb move; surely an OD version of the Jav, well managed, would have fitted into the class well? You can do what the Hobie Tiger does, and modify rigs and fittings etc to move with the times to keep pace with the restricted-class development.