Advertising via sail numbers? 55

Does a class need to be affiliated to the RYA to be an official class? I don't think it is as simple as unilaterally calling yourself the NearlyLaser class if you use a replica sail and wish to circumvent class rule issues, because the new class is not recognised by the RYA (even if the host club is prepared to recognise it).

However, the downside of that is that new classes, like the Icon, can not affiliate until 30 boats have been sold (I believe). So is the Icon legitimately allowed to enter? Surely the answer is yes?

Originally posted by SoggyBadger Originally posted by fudheid Errrrr i think not. (nice myth that they are carrying on British built my arse!) Think you will find that these speed sails/banks sails (tape drive copies) are from China Sail Factory. They are easy to spot as The tape drive / 3DL / D4 membranes are PATENTED so all CSF can do is straight lines and not follow the catenary paths of the loads like a true load path sail....... Yes they still make sails in their loft but they also import from China Sail Factory...... There are not that many facilities to make this sort of sail so unless it is a Uk tape drive, north 3dl or a Dimension polyant D4, ullman membrane, you are likely to be looking at a China sail membrane. Speed used to built tape drive sails in their loft in Aldridge. The technology is available to any sailmaker who cares to buy it. That the tapes don't exactly follow the load paths is immaterial on a dinghy sail.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXglPI5G2mo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Good to see that expensive sail cloth does not tear when it catches  a passing shroud/trapeze hook/head of helm 

Originally posted by fudheid If it is immaterial then why bother? It is not immaterial to the patent holder. ask north /doyle/ sobstad who spent alot of time and money deciding who could do what.....

That has to be the most horrendous mis-comprehension of a simple English sentence I've ever come across. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Originally posted by fudheid tape drive is a trademarked membrane (just like everything in sails these days) owned by uksailmakers (butch halsey). Any sailmaker can buy it if they have an account with a franchise like north/doyle/quantum/ullman/velman/China Sails/UKsails - i'm not sure if Hydes have a 'string' sail, but as an independant sailmaker you cannot buy these products unless you have done a deal with the larger loft.

You're very good at contradicting yourself. Also are you aware that the patents on all this technology has long since expired?

Originally posted by fudheid The only membrane sails an independant sailmaker can buy is DIAX2LP or D4, one is Bainbridge and the other is Dimension polyant - both are cloth suppliers and not sailmakers.

I'm well aware of both Bainbridge and DP and their products having dealt with them both when I was in the trade.