Structure

Originally posted by Sam.Spoons Originally posted by ian.r.mcdonald Originally posted by JimC Perhaps a touch exaggerated. Even clubs with strict fleet only policies would drop and adopt classes from time to time. What's ironic is that there were many more new classes introduced back then than there are now. A regular review is sensible. It's the acceptance of all boats with no consideration that stops the creation of support groups within clubs and the motivation to get out and race. I would suggest that clubs promoting "suggested boats" whilst allowing most others is a reasonable compromise. Agreed if we don't give new boats the opportunity to gain a foothold in a handicap fleet they will never reach critical mass.

Originally posted by H2 I suspect that clubs dictating what people sailed went out of fashion when the iron curtain came down and we moved away from calling each other "Comrade". Sometimes it does surprise me that sailing ever survived the boomers.

Dictating is not the way, suggesting is the way forward ( comrades). Rather than just promoting a club to get members with any boat, promoting a selection of classes and gently push those that fill a niche. Now of course every club needs a single hander for perhaps those moving on from double handers ,something that is easier to recover and with some class? I dont see that suggesting to new members and actively marketing some classes is anything but positive. And if someone wishes to join with the first boat in the club of a class fine, but once in perhaps they will be attracted by some of the small fleet groups talking after racing?

Originally posted by JimC Perhaps a touch exaggerated. Even clubs with strict fleet only policies would drop and adopt classes from time to time. What's ironic is that there were many more new classes introduced back then than there are now.

A regular review is sensible. It's the acceptance of all boats with no consideration that stops the creation of support groups within clubs and the motivation to get out and race. I would suggest that clubs promoting "suggested boats" whilst allowing most others is a reasonable compromise.

Edited by ian.r.mcdonald - 08 Nov 19 at 11:02am

Originally posted by Noah I think the structure is still there, but it has become a bit blurred by the proliferation of classes. World Sailing (ISAF as was) seem to have claimed the term 'World Championship' somehow so classes which are not recognised as international (Solo, Wayfarer) have to name their milti-national events something else. Solo : Nations Cup?  Wayfarer : Internationals?

And I believe that World Sailing has voted to have kite surfing in the Olympics? Clearly TV sales are more important that promoting sailing.

I can see the downside in restricting classes but if we had fixed at some point including the Laser we would also miss out on the diversity which reduces commitment to come and sail. And would have escaped from the horde of plastic moulded boats hiding in the nettles of most dinghy parks

The other issue is the " different rig" option boats. A smaller rig to get kids into the fleet is fine but having a range of rigs loses the advantage a lightweight or heavyweight used to have in extreme conditions. And the skills involved in adjusting the rig is not the important factor it used to be