18 footers trialing foils

It's a bit like the Formula One Formula Windsurfing (after they received a 'cease and desist' from Bernie Ecclestone) debacle. They followed a blind alley that killed grass roots windsurf racing stone dead. Thankfully, dinghy sailing is not a manufacturer led sport so the builders can't persuade the IYRU sorry, 'World Sailing' to outlaw anything not built by the "big three" (or was it four, or five..... GRF?......) manufacturers....  

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Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3401	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Topic: 18 footers trialing foils Posted: 11 Dec 17 at 11:10pm
	It's a bit like the ~~Formula One~~ Formula Windsurfing (after they received a 'cease and desist' from Bernie Ecclestone) debacle. They followed a blind alley that killed grass roots windsurf racing stone dead. Thankfully, dinghy sailing is not a manufacturer led sport so the builders can't persuade ~~the IYRU~~ sorry, 'World Sailing' to outlaw anything not built by the "big three" (or was it four, or five..... GRF?......) manufacturers....
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Chris 249 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 10 May 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2041	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chris 249 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Dec 17 at 10:19pm
	I don't think they'd look as good as they do now, particularly for non sailors. Speed is part of the 18's appeal but so is the spray flying, which makes them look fast. The 18 may just become a slender two-handed cat-rigged boat, about as spectacular as a Marstrom 20 or A Class, and with the same lack of spectator interest. I just don't understand a lot of the foiler hysteria. Cats have been faster than 18s for eons. Fans and sailors just accepted it, just as people accept the fact that you score more points in rugby than in football. It's not going to take long before people put foilers into their own category and won't care if they are faster, just as skiffies didn't worry that cats were faster and Mothies didn't worry when windsurfers were faster. 18 Footers are a lot like the AC, in that their long history of trading off ultimate speed for improved economy and accessibility is ignored by a bunch of superficial writers. While the class has obviously developed dramatically, on many occasions since 1908 they have slowed the boats down to make them more spectacular according to the conventional views, or more economical. Staying away from foiling would be just as much in the class tradition as adopting it - in fact arguably more so. The way that foiling is seen by many people on SA seems in an odd way to be evidence of their narrow minded attitude. When cats, windsurfers, offshore multis and kites first started going faster than equivalent monos they were largely ignored by many people, just as they ignored seahugging Moths despite their performance and interest. It was only when foils started to be used in dinghies and then the AC that the whole "foiling is the future" rubbish started and has now got to the stage where foiling boats are seen as the upper end and the future. It's almost as if things don't exist unless they are in monos or the AC. 'Scuse the rant. Edited by Chris 249 - 11 Dec 17 at 10:32pm
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Jack Sparrow Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jack Sparrow Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Dec 17 at 4:42pm
	You mean, after three goes in a new, old uk 18 for a few over enthusiastic newbie teams. A load of old 18's then sit in dingy parks around the UK disintegrating. With the same amount sailing them in the UK with slightly newer boats, as averagely as they did before? After the death of one of our sports great spectacles. I take it you are in the indifferent camp ;-)?
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Oli Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 23 Mar 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1020	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oli Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Dec 17 at 4:34pm
	Cheap 18's coming to the market, with a second life in Europe, potentially the makings of a larger fleet in the northern hemisphere.
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Jack Sparrow Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jack Sparrow Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Dec 17 at 4:10pm
	Well it has been done before, but only in the context of one off's, not in the context of a dramatic change to the league run from the home of the 18ft skiffs. It's a similar discussion I grant you, but this is a legit potential rule reboxing of the oldest sponsored spectator sailing league. It could potentially mean, if they don't do it, the death of the 18's in Sydney, if the Superfoilers hoover up the available sponsorship. Or it could kill the 18's because it just makes the boat dull but fast, and doesn't draw the sponsorship or spectators. Do sailors feel good, bad or indifferent to the change of what could be argued the sports biggest Poster Boy class?
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piglet Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Jan 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 514	Post Options Post Reply Quote piglet Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Dec 17 at 3:23pm
	Been done before though: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2159&title=foiling-18-skiff

Jack Sparrow Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jack Sparrow Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Dec 17 at 3:15pm
	According to the Sydney Flying Squadrons camera cat commentary as of a couple of weeks ago, they 'let slip'? that the 18's were doing some foil testing. Apparently they are looking at semi foiling, and the hard numbers have been done. With work underway on the test set up. I guess this testing is in response to the SuperFoiler Grand Prix? Which may threaten the sponsorship available to the 18's. So what cha' think about 18 footers going to foils? Bad idea, or Good idea?
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