Olympic Classes for 2012

Originally posted by Scooby_simon How many 49ers were there around when it was selected?

Hmm, good point...

Digs out spreadsheet.

The 49er was designed in 2005. The Torbole 49er trials were September 1996. The boat was selected at the November 1996 ISAF Conference.
In the 1996 Racing classes review the 49er claimed 110 boats sold for latest sail number 120, and 14 boats at the UK Champs.
In 1997 they claimed 390 sold for latest sail number 506, and 78 boats at the combined UK/European Champs.
In 1998 they claimed 100 sold, latest number 570 and 38 at the UK Champs.

The 29erXX was designed in 2005. The Hyeres trials the 29erXX attended were May 2007.
In 2006 it didn't feature in the RCR.
In 2007 it had no numbers in the RCR.
In 2008 there are no stated sail numbers or sales figures, just a comment that no championships were held.

I'm somewhat staggered by just how big the disparity is!

Edited by JimC

Upgrading the 470 rig would be a pretty unwise thing to do. Experience in the development classes suggests asymmetric kites don't work unless they are a *lot* bigger than conventionals and the hull is an all out planing one. And extra sail area seems to have amazingly little effect on performance.
IMHO what the 470 needs more than anything else is a set of hull construction rule changes so they can be bult cheaper, lighter and with more longevity.

Hmm I'm inclined to disagree, but then I would.

A 470 hull does plane.

It also has 'displacement' qualities which give good light wind
performance.

As far as I see, the assym rig forces the "dog legging" of downwind
courses and obvious opportunity to get the angles and shifts wrong.
Coming as I do from a one design back ground where both options are
open, i.e sail high and fast or low and deep, dead run even on the run
section of a triangle sausage setup, indeed it was probably us lot (Racing
Sailboards)that opened up the dual scenario but i don't know that for
sure.

Now the way a 470 is currently set up, you wouldn't even try sailing high,
you'd bung up the kite and dead run, they even plane dead downwind and
wth a certain history of close racing against one in an assym boat with
similar handicap, you have to get it spot on to nail one down wind.

I reckon, strip off the bow and fit the RS500 rig and set up to a 470 and
you'd have a unit that would be faster on all points, except obviously
dead downwind, but hey would it not look a whole lot more modern in
front of the worlds TV media.

And if the Olympics showcase as it is, were to attract newcomers, what
better craft with the simplicity of the RS500 rig set up and the relative
comfort of the 470 hull.

Now and again when an activity gets stumped for direction, there's
nothing like a bit of revisionism.

No brainer as I see it, I'd order one tomorrow.

Edited by G.R.F.

Grumpf - even in a symmetric boat, we don't sail dead downwind unless there's a VERY good tidal reason to do so. The 470 is a great boat, it doesn't need any changes to the rig. Some updating of the construction would be good, I agree. And thankfully, there is no way to "force" changes on the class. Any changes to the class rules have to come from the Class itself, which ISAF would then ratify when they recieved a submission (used to be the Centreboard Committee, anyone know where these go now?).

As far as I can see, there is no advantage to be gained by "modernising" what is already a very well-developed and understood rig. If you think there is, put your Asbo up against a decently-sailed new 505 and see how long you can still see their transom.

Originally posted by Chris Turner Perhaps there should also be a submission to dispand the commitee's, its the second year in a row the Exec have overturned the decisions, this year three commitee's decisions, why send 150 people at your MNA's expense for 10 days when the 30 odd exec's can do it in one day?

It does seem that the council seems to do their own thing ... begs the question what is the point of all the other committees of experts whos submissions keep getting overturned.