V Twin

Originally posted by Peaky What are we supposed to do... Therein lies the problem, because what is best fir us as individuals (buy a cheap old boat and fleet race) is not what is best for sport (buy new, buy frequently, keep a thriving industry in business). This contradiction is an interesting new branch of science combining evolution and game theory, but I don't have a solution (yet!). An aggregation of classes might help (that way you could view the Lightning as a newer Solo and a C2 as an even newer one). Race off scratch, with prizes for sub-classes. Going incommunicado now.

I think that's a classic case of confusing the sport with the industry.
What's good for the industry is the maximum number of people spending the maximum amount of cash.
What's good for the sport is the maximum number of people enjoying the best racing they.

The sport feeds the inddustry but they are not the same thing.

Originally posted by JimC I'm curious about something... The poor old Solo is taking a slating here as being supposedly the epitome of hopelessly outdated boats that should be superceded, but I don't see an awful lot about how it should be replaced. Why don't you guys see if you can get a consensus as to how it should be replaced/updated? However lets put just one limitation on that: the general performance profile, speed in light airs relative to strong winds, handling and so on mustn't change, because that must be a major factor in its current popularity - increasing slowly but steadily since at least the 1980s. I shall be very interested to see what you come up with.

Originally posted by pondmonkey There's a fleet of Streakers at Redoubt, I do wonder if he'd enjoy racing in a class, as when it comes to dinghies I don't think he's really experienced it yet.

Tickle, that Lightning anecdote is a perfect example of the dilema. That's great for the individual that they can win in an old boat, buy it's not good for the class as there appears no need to waste money on buying new. Without a need to buy new, the class won't grow.

Jim, that's a loaded challenge because there will never be concensus. However, my 2p (off the top of my head). The proportions of the Solo are fine - the hull is neither too cramped nor too spacious, it carries weight, has good initial stability but not too much and the sail is about the right size. But the hull shape is based around what is achievable with ply rather than what is necessarily best to sail, so there is some scope there. Maybe the sail could be squarer in the head to help gust response? Maybe the traveller could be replaced with other forms of sheeting. The boom could be carbon. The cockpit could have a variety of materials - there was an F18 at Ally Pally with dashboard type plastic on the hulls, that would be nice to sit on. There could be a proper dashboard with recesses for iPhones etc, for speed, heel, etc. Rather than a foam hull and tin rig, how about a rotomould hull and carbon rig - proabably cheaper, faster and easier.
But this is only one persons first go. The Ford Escort was fine in it's day. It had a few facelifts to keep it fresh, but eventually Ford accepted the chassis wasn't up to standard any more and the Focus was born. One day that will be replaced too.   

Yes Peaky but new lightning orders are strong for those who can afford one, however this frees up old cheap boats for the young or poverty stricken. The class is growing. Last years nationals showed a blip in the trend for outside reasons but I bet that this years entry will be close to 10% of all the boats ever registered including number 21!

Having looked at Solo when fixing it I would get rid of the thwartythingy that carries the traveller so that it would be easier to get forward and........I'll tell you next week.....