Dinghy development: Replica sails

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Replica sails

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=400
Printed Date: 13 Aug 25 at 12:16pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Replica sails

Posted By: moomin
Subject: Replica sails
Date Posted: 19 Jan 05 at 4:28pm

The question has been asked at our club as to whether replica sails would be allowed for club racing. Many sail lofts now manufacture replica sails for OD classes much cheaper than the official sails. This would allow members to preserve the pricey genuine sails for opens etc and use cheaper sails for flogging round the club each week. Have any of your clubs tried this and with what results?

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Moomin

Replies:

Posted By: Harry44981!
Date Posted: 19 Jan 05 at 4:41pm

I use my topper trainin sail at Redesmere and Elton sailing clubs in the North West and so do other topper sailors, noone minds.

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Posted By: sailor girl
Date Posted: 19 Jan 05 at 4:54pm

Loads of people use replica sails for club racing here and it's very rare for any complaints, apart from in the very competitive classes or just fussy oppy parents! lol

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Sailor Girl, Queen Of The Forum!

Posted By: Rob.e
Date Posted: 19 Jan 05 at 9:05pm

Portchester allowed "training sails" from last season, no problems!

Posted By: Adds
Date Posted: 21 Jan 05 at 1:45pm

I don't believe any one minds, unless you go out and win all the races or get a benifical effect from the sails.

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Cheers Dudes

Posted By: Contender443
Date Posted: 21 Jan 05 at 2:29pm

Lancing Sailing Club are allowing them for next season.

One discussion we had is the possibility of having 2 "handicaps" for lasers. One for Lasers with class approved sails and one for replica sails. The first year the handicaps can be set at the same figure. If at the end of the year one type of sail has a significant advantage then we can adjust the handicap.

In effect we could end up with 2 separate classes - Lasers and laser replicas.

This of course would be very extreme and we do not see it happening.

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Bonnie Lass Contender 1764

Posted By: Rob.e
Date Posted: 21 Jan 05 at 5:12pm

I don't think speed is an issue, it's just cost. The replicas are cheaper, but are not strictly class legal. It does allow you to wear out your cheap sail, and keep the good one for opens and special events. It only seems to apply to Lasers and Toppers at the mo', so we are often talking about young peoples boats, and any savings are welcome to hard pressed parents or students!

I know it's slightly cheating the manufacturers, but if Laser came up with a sail that lasted more than 5 mins, it wouldn't be an issue!

Posted By: Chris Noble
Date Posted: 23 Jan 05 at 9:36pm

Largs have aloud it for years as one of the topper sailors (also in the national and scottish squad) uses training sails made by his dad who owns saturn sails right next to the club, he also makes the cheaper equivalents for the club boats, which is probably why it isnt an issue.

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