Tasar PN

Surely in all classes new sails are likely  to be faster than old sails? So by definition any Tasar with new sails is likely to be quicker than it was. And as the performance gained is more likely to last, we might eventually see a slight decrease in PN. That would of course depend on sufficient returns (unlikely), and of course that the relative performance of Tasars at clubs sending returns is actually better.

If the sails are bigger and performance improved, then the class should perhaps suggest a revised PN to clubs, but then why should they? Development classes don't, nor do 'one designs' when advances are made or for instance Carbon masts are allowed - so why should the Tasars get themselves penalised for a marginal improvement?

Its diffcult to see how a 2 man boat minus spinnaker which isn't extreme (in beam or sail area) could get below 1000... Remember the Fireball is around that (976 I think) and it has a kite and a trapeze.  Tasar is a good boat but not that quick!

The new sails are marginally bigger, use a 'better' material and supposedly offer better gust response - they should therefore be faster.  Frank Bethwaite is on record as saying he believes they are 5% faster, but that could just be marketting talk.  The Aussie Tasar forum claims they are consistently much quicker than the dacron sails (except in the lightest of winds), but the UK site reports mixed results so far.  I would have thought that a PN around 990 would be a fair first stab.  Why I read these sites I don't know, I don't own a Tasar!

I don't know if its relevant but when my club had a good fleet of 505s. one boat converted to a Kevlar sail plan and the rest were still on dacrons. Nobody considered asking for the PN to be changed on that boat. Reckon the Mylar sails on the Tasar is more to increase the life of competitive sails than to enhance performance and also make the boat more aesthetically pleasing.

Any views on the upgraded sails from Austrailian forum members?