V Twin

I am reliably mid to bottom fleet in my C2 sailing off 1140. In a week or so my ancient Solo will be on the water sailing off 1153 I think. This is a perfect opportunity to actually see how well it goes. Regarding new replacement designs that do the same thing, do we need them? Look at what John Claridge has done to the Lightning? Totally updated and so much nicer but the last two Nationals have been won by a 30 year old, old style boat with a dacron sail. The same can be said of the latest Supernova's.

Originally posted by JimC I'm curious about something... The poor old Solo is taking a slating here as being supposedly the epitome of hopelessly outdated boats that should be superceded, but I don't see an awful lot about how it should be replaced. Why don't you guys see if you can get a consensus as to how it should be replaced/updated? However lets put just one limitation on that: the general performance profile, speed in light airs relative to strong winds, handling and so on mustn't change, because that must be a major factor in its current popularity - increasing slowly but steadily since at least the 1980s. I shall be very interested to see what you come up with.

There isn't really any need or point in replacing the Solo.
The fleets/classes that want replacing are all the wannabe Solo replacements that can't  muster a decent open series or championship fleet.

I'm curious about something... The poor old Solo is taking a slating here as being supposedly the epitome of hopelessly outdated boats that should be superceded, but I don't see an awful lot about how it should be replaced.

Why don't you guys see if you can get a consensus as to how it should be replaced/updated? However lets put just one limitation on that: the general performance profile, speed in light airs relative to strong winds, handling and so on mustn't change, because that must be a major factor in its current popularity - increasing slowly but steadily since at least the 1980s. I shall be very interested to see what you come up with.

Edited by JimC - 24 May 12 at 8:57am

What are we supposed to do...

Therein lies the problem, because what is best fir us as individuals (buy a cheap old boat and fleet race) is not what is best for sport (buy new, buy frequently, keep a thriving industry in business). This contradiction is an interesting new branch of science combining evolution and game theory, but I don't have a solution (yet!). An aggregation of classes might help (that way you could view the Lightning as a newer Solo and a C2 as an even newer one). Race off scratch, with prizes for sub-classes.

Going incommunicado now.

[QUOTE=fab100]So here is a question for you GRF: do you throw out your PC/ipod/TV/car/trousers/whatever and buy new every time a slightly updated version comes out? Perhaps you do.