Moths

Following the International Moth taking to the skies and becoming an aeroplane, so moving it out of the reach of average sailors on small water, has the time come to re introduce the Moth roughly as it was pre unification, with a 5' max beam, a min waterline beam, 7m2 of sail and a light minimum weight? The Americans have kept the class alive, in a way, with the Classic Moths, but they seem more interested in recreating 1960's designs. I would picture something with a more modern rig and hull shape.

As a British Moth sailor, I can safely say I was picturing a development class, rather than the ultimate treelined river one design! I'm sure 74 years of hull design development could be put to good use, or even the 46 years since the Europe was designed.

I think the chances of starting an open rule class in the UK these days is just about zero.

Nemo said   "I think the popularity of the Blaze shows that this is the kind of thing the majority of sailors want, but they've had to update once already - which shows the problems SMODs face".

You don't have to be a SMOD one design to see occasional changes in 'one designs' make sense.  Fireball - originally no spinni or trapeze, only wood.  Phantom - originally only ply and a  metal stick with an old Fireball main.  Many other examples out there.  One of the posisble failings of many SMOD's is that they are a snapshot in time - never developing whatsoever as manufactureres see no need to 'tinker' with a money machine.   Then as the class appears dated (needelessly)  they churn the market with a 'better' class.

As a class we started with a rig that was powerful but only gorilla's with big attitude could sail it in a F4+  -refining the sail and reducing the area transformed it.  This is an example of a worthwhile update ! However Blaze hulls are ALL out of the same mould, all use the same stick and a single suppler sail.  This keeps things relatively inexpensive but we do review the boat from time to time and  will no doubt do so in the future as well.  WE intend to be there in 20 years time but you do need a strong CA !

Blaze '720'

As for classes with wings...how many Lasers sell compared to Blazes?

Very few of course -  and very few Moths as well but that is hardly the point.  Lots of people drive  the ford  focus - not a bad car of course but it would be exceedingly boring if that was all that was available ..... 

We could as easily say that the original Topper outsells the Laser in the UK  - or that the Optimist has the greatest following at its Nationals.  The Moth like the I14 has led development for many decades and has infuenced many many classes across the planet, spawning a lot of them in their wake.  Its probabaly unlikely that a new development class will result but if it does it will be because people want that to happen.  

Each to their own ?

Blaze  '720'