New Boat from Laser?

Originally posted by FRIENDLY SAILER downwind the boat twists a bit due to the tupperwarematerial

lol

What did the real-class sailors say to the Byte national champ? 

 

Originally posted by vagoowner What did the real-class sailors say to the Byte national champ?

A, if you take the time to read my post I was not suggesting that either was my opinion, it was simply a question about what opinions will be.

B, Secondly the Byte Nat champ also sails a laser VERY well and dabbles in F18s, so I guess they say 'Hi Nick would you mind coming out and doing some coaching' or 'fancy crewing for me this weekend' 

getting back to the point, my OPINION is that it will depend on the quality of sailors within the fleet, which is where perceptually many of these classes will struggle.  Unless you can pull established sailors in then it will take someone coming out of these classes and winning in those classes that are 'rated' by the wider sailing fraternity to convince people, rightly or wrongly, that the standard of sailing within them is high. Not that this is unheard of in other classes I just feel that the new breed of plasics will suffer from it quite badly.

Edited by tack'ho

Most classes have a few sailors who are very good at sailing their boat. There aren't many classes where you can borrow a boat and win easily at the nationals, unless you happen to be a Steve Cockerill standard of sailor. Some classes, however, have a much stronger strength in depth, and you can struggle to get into the top half of the fleet at the nationals, let alone walk off with the trophy. It is obviously these in these classes that we have the most respect for the winners, but this in no way means that the boat is somehow better or more enjoyable than one without the strength in depth.  

long exesparated sigh..... at no point did i say that the plastic boats, whether i like them or not, are not real classes, i asked if people would have a lower view of their champions because they percieve them not to be real classes.  It is possible to ask a question or argue a counter side to an argument without agreeing with it in an effort to establish balance and investigate thought and ideas, they used to make us do it at school its called debating!

Back to the point again.  The fact that Jo Richards attended the Vago nats and didn't win has instanly boosted the kudo of the people who beat him or got near him which has a knock on affect on the kudos of the boat.  supporting the earlier assertion that the new breed of plastic boats will need to draw thse established sailors to boost their standings.