National/Regional Circuits.

Broadly with Cirrus and Sam on this one. There is plenty of choice to be had, both on no choice tight OD rules, different rig choices under OD running various regimes and other classes that have a broader approach. Looking at my own class measurement rules all the sail dimensions are maximum with no minimum mentioned. 

Originally posted by Dougaldog Chris 249, just as with everything else in the sport, there is little that is actually 'new'! I've got the original paperwork from the 'semi-official' 2 person performance boat Trials that were held at Itchenor SC between Loosedrecht and La Baule in the early 1950s. Back then of course dinghies still reefed or, in the case of 14s, dropped their genoa when going to windward in a strong breeze. I was reading about how, with a forecast of strong breezes,  the 14 borrowed a suit of National 12 sails. This was clearly an accepted thing to do, for when John Westell was sailing his boat from Exmouth to Hunstanton for the POW event, he borrowed a suit of Nat 12 sails. Back to the Trials - the 14 was using the Nat 12s rig, so the FD borrowed the 14 sails....mix and match! D

Edited by Chris 249 - 12 Nov 16 at 11:49am

Just maybe it is the tendancy to be highly prescriptive in some quarters that is part of the problem on forums and around some clubs. 

If you keep telling or implying to others, even perhaps unintentionally, that their preferred 'model' is wrong, less 'proper' or even inferior you could even drive people away from the competitive side of the sport at the margin all together.  You certainly don't attract others to your way of thinking if you knock their current choices or ideas ...  you might even be doing the exact opposite !    

The too frequent negativity expressed by a few regulars simply cannot be dressed up, however they might justify it, as generally positive to the future of small boat competition.  'Debate' or discussion here all too often seems to seek out the lowest common forum demoninator - essentially 'my' choice of class of boat, type of racing, preference of location etc etc .. is superior to 'yours'.  So others like different boats, ways of racing,  class rules or formulas, location and have different ideas  ... whatever - Just accept it and go sailing.


Edited by Cirrus - 12 Nov 16 at 11:13am

You got away lucky with two sails - at one time in raceboards we were often turning up with two or three boards (all carbon/kevlar and hand made)and four or more complete rigs. The 18s at one stage were using four (or was it 4.5?) rigs. There's a reason why classes with multiple rigs are not popular - it's a huge expense and even when the boats are free, it's a huge hassle.

Edited by Chris 249 - 12 Nov 16 at 2:36am

"As for 1 sail for all conditions, I know 1 dinghy that does it very nicely thank you and performs well across most conditions."

...but being massively outsold by the one that isn't "really true class racing".