The World's best race boat

There are two questions that should be asked before complaining about the cost of keeping up with the jones's in any class but especialy a dev class

Could I win in the champ's boat?
Could the Champ win in my boat?

If the answer to the first question is no then you need to sort yourself out first. Practice till you nail every tack, start, shift, hoist and drop. Once you have done that you will probably find yourself alot further up the fleet.

If the answer to the second question is no then look at your boat and decide what needs to be changed.
Blocks ropes and sails. these are consumables and need replaced over time no matter what class you sail. Foils you just need to spend time out with the filler and wet and dry sandpaper (I bet the champ has done that even on new foils)

Maybe that is too much work and it is eisier blame your boat for your poor performance and then complain that you cant afford a new boat.

As for what is the best race boat? it is obviously the one I sail. or possibly a different one that I want to sail

only 2?

Combining the Merlin class and the Rocket class might make for a good 14 foot boat - oh, rats, been done already...

Well, I've spent a couple of days idly wondering about Charlie's interesting question.....still no idea. Cross a Laser and an Int 14????? Sounds a bit like an RS800 with an option to sail singlehanded as well (which, off topic, may be more of an option with newer designs and is great in cats).

Re "Oh yes! I'd still like some thoughts as to why people sail whatever it is they sail. Anyone?"

Here goes.....

Laser....the ultimate in big fleet racing. A brilliant boat if you are either just messing at club level (simple, cheap, plentiful) or going hard for it (extremely competitive, cheap at top level, and it's great to have something so simple that with a LOT of work you could get to a level impossible in more complex boats, and play with the top guys). A great boat for close-quarter racing, roll tacking etc. Have much more respect for the design after learning about hull shapes etc and knowing why it is the way it is, and how the "simple cures" lead to their own problems.

Bad points - not sociable (here) above club level; everyone is well mannered on the right end of the racecourse but runs away to their masseur after the race. Nasty in mid-fleet at champs. Weather helm even when sailed right. I still race regularly, though, and will get stuck right into it for the '08 Masters worlds.

International Canoe.....the ultimate upwind performer. An amazing feeling to be suspended right out and playing with 49ers, yet have a featherlight helm. Wonderful history. A stunning way of carving through the water and obviously enormously sensitive yet (unlike some other boats) stable enough that you can turn off between races. Stunning to look at, very different. Must get a kite fitted!

Bad points - not really what I personally consider the best boat to race (slow to tack, speed-dependent, small fleets). $$$$$$$$ to win the nats with a competitive boat. On the trailer due to lack of time to clean up the old boat and lack of incentive due to lack of fleet; must get ready for nats soon.

Tasar - Great fleets here in Oz. Tactical and tweakable. Beautifully balanced upwind. Incredibly durable as a competitive unit. Efficient rig, light hull that slices like a charm. Lots of women in the class = make your girlfriend into a sailor, or make a sailor into your forward hand into your girlfriend (or vice versa for women skippers of course). Tweakable but strict OD. Very sociable class here. Reaches quickly in a breeze. Comfortable hiking.

Bad points - you need a crew and mine is too busy sailing other craft so the Tasar is loaned out. Used to have expensive sails but new ones are cheaper. Not the world's best boat to tack IMHO. Was thinking about selling it as I was too busy with other boats, took it out for the first time in ages and thought "oh wow this is a great boat". Main bad point......takes time to train with a crew.

And then of course there's the windsurfers, cat and yacht......

i sail a feva.

good points: the hull is durable, its great in waves and wind. tacks like a dream easy to learn in. just right weight on helm unless its on its ear. oh yeh the sailors nice too. good open calendar cos of rs association. great training in the winter.there must be more.

bad points: needs a crew (most people anyway but i can manage it in f3-4), kites to small, im too fat for it. hulls are plastic so not stiff. the older ones have a habit of snapping in 3 at the transom. and anything else you lot can think of.