New Development Classes

Originally posted by JimC Lighter weight crew than an RS400 I would have thought.

Very much the same, I'd have thought. It's the simple ratios which dominate, not the finer points of design. Which makes it for heavies. Nothing wrong with that, provided it is the intention. The demographics tend to favour boats for lighter weights though e.g. compare the numbers sailing Merlins versus RS400. Lighter weights bring mixed teams more into the frame.

Hm....how does the Laser fit into that picture? I wouldn't really agree that the Merlin has all that wide a competitive weight range these days either, but it does tend to fit adult mixed teams pretty well.

I don't get what point you are trying to make, Chris.

Bumble argued that the popular classes are those with a wide competitive weight range. However the Laser has a narrow range compared to, say, the Solo. Nevertheless, it is evidently highly popular.

Originally posted by Stefan Lloyd I don't get what point you are trying to make, Chris. Bumble argued that the popular classes are those with a wide competitive weight range. However the Laser has a narrow range compared to, say, the Solo. Nevertheless, it is evidently highly popular.

The point is that surely you CAN'T validly compare the Laser's weight range to the Solo's weight range.

One is a class which sails basically in the UK and in Holland and does a very good job of giving amateurs like us something to race. To become competitive at the top level, you obviously have to  be a damn good sailor.

The other is a class which is sailed to world champs level in about 65 countries, many of which have basically pro Olympic sailors. To become competitive at top level, you have to be able to beat Ben Ainslie regularly.

The level of competition just can't be compared. The Laser is vastly more competitive. Therefore what is needed (in terms of weight) to be competitive just can't be compared, surely.

Comparing what is needed to be competitive in Solos to what is needed to be competitive in Lasers seems a touch like comparing the level of dedication needed to be competitive in some parochial sport like Royal Tennis, to the level you need in a major international sport like football. Or like assuming a local amateur car racing class (like HQs we have here) is as demanding and competitive as F1.

Interestingly, the Laser's competitive weight range is wider at Masters Worlds level (which still attracts about 20+ times as many nations as Solo sailing, including ex Olympians who train damn hard). There's a distinct link between the level of the racing, and the width of the competitive weight range.


Edited by Chris 249

Personally I think the best solution may be a semi development class like the 505 or the Swift Solo that I am building.

Design a modern hull that is a good compromise between the attributes discussed here and then basically fix this part of the design. The rig would only be limited by agreed max sail areas and prohibitions on hideously expensive materials. This then lets people put on a rig which suits their size and also allows for innovation in the class. The class could be bought off the shelf or people could be free to do their own thing.

Advantages

• No overnight obsolecence - fixed hull shape.
• No extreme designs as hull shape is fixed. 
• High quality as hull can be built by anyone - competion!
• Wider competitive weight range - rig selected for desired weight range.
• Control of the class by the class. 
• Competition and innovation in rig, foils and controls.

Disadvantages

• Eventually becomes outdated (505)
• Probably more expensive than a SMOD boat.
• Less marketing muscle behind it as one manufacturer doesn't have the same vested interest in promoting the class.