2 per 1 trap Asy's - where to next?

Following on from the yet another Alto thread I have just compiled the Nationals figures for single wire, two person asymmetric dinghies: -

	PY	Number Built	2006	2007	2008	2009
29er	924	1600	81	56	57	48
Laser 4000	908	711	41	41	28	24
RS 500	972	312		30	38	18
Buzz	1005	1200??	16	13	13	14
ISO	926	1208??	27	17	16	13
Laser 3000	1032	600	11	12	8	10
Laser Vago	1000	1000	23	18	7	10
v3000	1000	20		4	5	6
Alto
			199	191	172	143

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(the number built column is sometimes a wild guess).

So is there really a need for another one?  It appears from this that the only trend you can pick up is that the more classes we have in this category the less people actually get around to racing them.  In fact, it looks like the diversity of these classes is just driving people back to the Fireball and 505. 

So is there anything we as sailors can do to reduce the number of classes in this segment?  Surely this is what needs to happen if any of us is going to get some decent racing without moving into a different type of boat.  Unfortunately the trend seems to be to revamp all the older classes instead, which in my opinion can only prolong the problem.  May be a scrapage deal is more appropriate!

Mike

they could run all there nationals together as one race so they have big fleet racing and good social in the evening race off scratch as they are fairly simular in performance.

dead class nationals or something like that

Edited by sten

I've posted a few times about the idea of grouping classes together under an umbrella class.  For example, the ISOs and 4000s are very similar, they were just marketed by rival companies.  Create an "ISO4000" class that combines them both (and probably the Alto as well).  United we stand, divided we fall and all that...  The class would be a measurement based class, like a development class, but with very restricted development allowed and perhaps a max allowed retail price for any design.  That way, when RS (for example) decide they want to sell an ISO type boat, it does not fragment fleets, it has a ready made class association and a few years later they can introduce an updated version into the samr class.  If the RS design is better than the 4000, laser may be tempted to launch a 4001.  This way, the companies get what they want - new streams of boats when sales start to drop and the sailors get what they want - modern boats, big fleets and competitive prices.  Its basically the way F18 cats work, and has been a big success for them.

........and we could call it the Trapeze and Assymetric Association (TASA)

I think you can rule out the 29er CA wanting to get involved in such an endeavour for the time being- it is a healthy class thanks to its position as an international youth class with RYA squad support, with plenty of boats even at circuit events.


On the other hand, I guess the few adults who sail them would relish events with less kiddies.


I still maintain that the speed gap between an ISO and 4000 is not as big as the handicap makes out. The ISO is slightly too high even with the old Sobstad sails, and the 4000 slightly too low. I think as long as their current weight equalisation rules are enforced they should be sailing off the same handicap.