There was an article in Y&Y a few months ago about similar classes sharing events ... I offered to Laser that VAGOs could share our Laser/V3000 events whilst they get their own circuit established, but was given the cold shoulder ... Laser say they are planning to try a couple of opens in 2006, one at Grafham in May, I think

Sumo, or any VAGO owners, if you would like to join 3000 events I'm sure you'll be very welcome. Subject to the clubs agreeing, you could share the start and it'll be interesting to compare performance, very similar on the water I imagine. We've some very good long-term class sailors who'll be more than happy to pass on single trapeze asymmetric sailing tips, and we have occasional training events which there may be spare places on, which VAGO owners could take up

We've 7 events scheduled through the year, in the North, Midlands and South of England, with some great venues. We're just waiting for one to be finalised before publicising them on the website.

It would be great to see the established/emerging single-trapeze asymmetric classes sharing events, although RS500s would possibly choose to go for the RS cirsuit.

Anyone interested please contact mailto:info@3000class.org.uk - info@3000class.org.uk , or post a reply below

Sounds like an interesting idea, especialy as the 3K and the Vago should be able to share the same course.

It would be a very informal arrangement for the odd Vago owner who wants to gain from some additional asymmetric class racing experience. We'd have to agree it with the clubs out of courtesy, but I can't see them objecting.

Entries could be included in our TT series results table, but not be eligable for class prizes, and the Nationals wouldn't be an option.

btw The 3000 website is http://www.3000class.org.uk - www.3000class.org.uk , keep an eye on the Events List in the Events Menu at the top of the homepage.

Want me to pursue it? Any other thoughts?

Good idea as there is no sign of laser helping to set up a class association or class racing.  Vago owners themselves are getting the cold shoulder so I'm not surprised you have as well.  Which is strange, because when I handed a cheque for a Vago to them at the Jan 2005 boatshow there was plenty of assurance that the class association & racing would be sorted for 2006! 

I predict there being a lot of disenchanted vago owners around next year with shiny new boats and no-one to race against wishing they had gone for a V3000.

Laser - please help!

Vago owners - if you are willing to help setting up the class association make sure Laser know

I'd gathered some VAGO owners are disenchanted from posts elsewhere on the forum. We finalised our 3000 events list last night so I'll post it here tomorrow. Pick one or more that suit and let me know.

Laser are providing a springboard, but like you say it's up to owners to develop the class. A link with a similar established class might help. The Laser 2000s help us out with events, as we did for them in the early days. 

Yellowhammer, a question for you, do you allow single handed racing in the 3000?

One of the things I will be quite keen on when/if the Vago class association gets off the ground is allowing single and double handed racing for the Vago, especially as the Vago has been actively marketed as being single or double handed.

Yes we have allowed single handers with no handicap penalty at open meetings (but not the Nationals) either hiking or trapezing, and solo sailors have taken prizes and counted their result to the series, although the class rules state two crew.

We're not a National/International class and don't take ourselves too seriously, just aiming to maximise enjoyment for as many owners as we can attract. Very few choose to race single handed but you'd be welcome to come along solo.

Here's the events for 2006, anything of interest?

13-14 May              Carsington (Derbyshire) with the 2000s

4 June               Queen Mary (London) with the 2000s, possible Saturday coaching

2 July                Burghfield (Reading) possible Saturday coaching

29-30 July              Bassenthwaite (Lake District) as part of their Regatta

23-25 Aug              Royal Torbay (Devon) for the DSSA run SW Championship

30 SEP-1 OCT              DRAYCOTE (Rugby) for our 10^TH ANNIVERSARY NATIONALS

14-15 Oct              Rutland (Midlands) with the combined Laser asymmetric classes

Our first 3000 Class event of the season is in a couple of weeks time, and we're down on numbers, so Vago/RS500 owners out there are very welcome to come along and share our start

We're sharing the event with Laser 2000s, with six races over two days, on a windward/leeward course ... the racing is suitable for all levels of ability. There's a band on at the club on the Saturday night.

Visit http://www.3000class.org.uk - www.3000class.org.uk and click the drop down Events Menu/Events List/Carsington at the top of the homepage for further details, or contact mailto:info@3000class.org.uk - info@3000class.org.uk

We had our first Vago event last weekend at Rutland, which was a training and race event. The event attracted over twenty boats and was great fun and very informative on setting up and sailing the Vago. Laser have arranged a number of events for the year as follows:

27th/28th May, Grafham, Laser Asymmetric event

18th June Queen Mary, one day open event

12th/13th August Weymouth, Laser Vago Nationals

14th/15th Rutland, Laser Asymmetric event

So any Vago owners come and join in!

Originally posted by yellowhammer You'll be joining "The Down-Trodden Classes" one day soon, so don't be too smug!

Or should that be "so don't be too smod!"

the vote on the new 3000 class rules to accommodate the V3000 is out at the moment, verdict due on 5th June

the V will be at Carsington with the proposed North sails: 29er cloth with black edging and batten pockets and a larger, battened jib ... demo's available (good opportunity for a plug)

when the time comes, i.e. sales drop below 40/year, will you be able to find a small builder to rotomould Vagos? (there isn't a 'tongue in cheek' emoticon)

BTW, it's excellent that you've got 20 Vagos out for your first open, a very good sign for the class, with a strong committee it could follow the L2000 success