New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Ovington thingy.....
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Ovington thingy.....
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 910111213 19>
Author
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Jon Emmett View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 15 Mar 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 988 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jon Emmett Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Ovington thingy.....
    Posted: 20 Nov 12 at 10:44am
Originally posted by Kev M

You may have hit the nail on the head there James.

When you were a youth you aspired to the (best) adults singlehander at the time, the Laser, and because there is no junior version you go for a Laser with a smaller rig.

In double handers, the 49ers are the glamour boat and the teens have a 29er to be the vehicle for their aspirations.

In that case,  the teens might not get a proper single hander that is actually designed for them until the Laser is replaced at the Olympics with something else.  Imagine if the Laser was replaced with the MPS, the junior equivalent might be that smaller, German thing we were all watching the video of the other week.

 

The Laser is actively raced in more than 100 countries and is guaranteed to be in the Olympics until at least 2020. 

One of the best things about the class is what ever your level you always have someone to race against.


The Byte CII is a great little boat (yes I have raced them)...

However training really is the key to long term international successes and the class has very, very little compared to what the Laser has to offer.


To me the Olympics seems to have a good mix now with easy to get into classes like the Laser (and Radial for Women) as well as high performances boats like the 49er (and FX for Women).

Although the process for choosing Olympic classes has meant a very difficult six months for a huge number of people...< id="_npwlo" ="applicationpwlo" height="0">
Be Your Own Tactics Coach
Back to Top
Rupert View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 11 Aug 04
Location: Whitefriars sc
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Nov 12 at 10:56am
I don't think anyone is doubting the Laser's ability to put on good training and close racing, but it is a design based on a hull shape from the mid 1960's, with a sail based on those from the 1950's.

Whilst I really don't mind that (those dates seem pretty reasonable to me, as a classic boat person), surely 29er kids who want to sail singlehanded for whatever reason would be interested in something more akin to what their double handed friends are racing? But only if it had the same pathway stuff, so it really isn't going to happen.
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
Back to Top
pondmonkey View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 12 Aug 11
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2202 		Post Options Post Options   Quote pondmonkey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Nov 12 at 11:04am
Originally posted by Rupert

But only if it had the same pathway stuff, so it really isn't going to happen.

nope, it's not.  As Jon says, the Laser's green-lighted for 2020 - before even the host city has been chosen!!!  And why not, Xu's proved that emrging economic nations can muster not only a champion, but an ISAF sailor of the year - all made possible by the ubiquitous Laser Radial dinghy.  Although personally I put it down to her training regime...


Edited by pondmonkey - 20 Nov 12 at 11:04am
Back to Top
iGRF View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 07 Mar 11
Location: Hythe
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Nov 12 at 11:37am
Originally posted by tick

]Oh.....and GRF could get one and he would be happy!


I could and may well get one anyway, nothing the RYA may or may not do would ever influence my decision. They have shown over the years if there is exactly a right and a wrong answer to a situation they can be virtually guaranteed to take the wrong one.
Snow Equipment Deals    New Core Kite website
Back to Top
maxibuddah View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 06 Mar 09
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1760 		Post Options Post Options   Quote maxibuddah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Nov 12 at 12:01pm
Saying that kids want sexy boats is fair enough but all its faults the laser looks good on the water. Lots of them, kicking up a ton of spray in moderate breeze and tons of photos showing how much fun they are to everyone .......


The fact that they are accessible to all nations thanks to the relatively low cost means that they are always going to be there and thereabouts.

A good boat doesn't always mean being the best to sail but one that allows people to sail and I'm afraid to say but that is exactly what the laser does that so many others don't.
Everything I say is my opinion, honest
Back to Top
Kev M View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 05 Dec 11
Location: Landlocked
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 346 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Kev M Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Nov 12 at 12:58pm
New Lasers don't really seem any cheaper than any similarly sized single hander to me, the only time they're cheaper is secondhand because of the shear volume of them.  Does that mean we're never going to find a replacement that capitalises on advancements in technology?  I'm starting to see where GRF has been coming from.
Successfully confusing ambition with ability since 1980.
Back to Top
alstorer View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 02 Aug 07
Location: Cambridge
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2899 		Post Options Post Options   Quote alstorer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Nov 12 at 1:01pm
All this is why the only way to deal with the Laser "problem" (if it really is one) is to replace every single one overnight with a technically superior, "cooler" boat, possibly "dissapearing" the more problematic members of the class associations at the same time. Needs quite a bit of money, sort of thing Donald Trump or Bill Gates could do for giggles.
-_
Al
Back to Top
Jon Emmett View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 15 Mar 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 988 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jon Emmett Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Nov 12 at 1:07pm
It is probably worth noting that there have been many updates to the Laser since the 70's (although I guess you could argue that they have all been minor alterations) and there will no doubt be more to come...
Be Your Own Tactics Coach
Back to Top
Guests View Drop Down
Guest Group
Guest Group
Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Nov 12 at 1:14pm
Originally posted by Kev M

New Lasers don't really seem any cheaper than any similarly sized single hander to me, the only time they're cheaper is secondhand because of the shear volume of them.  Does that mean we're never going to find a replacement that capitalises on advancements in technology?  I'm starting to see where GRF has been coming from.

They may be expensive for what they are, but there is no doubt that a new laser is quite a bit cheaper than a new 300, blaze, Solo, phantom etc. Not necessarily better value, but certainly fewer £££.

It is only a matter of time before a thermoplastic boat comes along that is both cheaper and 'better' than a Laser.
Back to Top
Kev M View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 05 Dec 11
Location: Landlocked
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 346 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Kev M Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Nov 12 at 1:42pm

I don't think you're really comparing like for like there though Peaky.  I'd say they're all big boy's boats, more boat to cope with more lard and therefore more costly (although I know this isn't an absolute given lighter helms can work them to effect in lighter winds).

I'd say something like a Supernova which has had appreciable development during it's life by comparison to the Laser, is a better example of price within a similar sector.
Successfully confusing ambition with ability since 1980.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 910111213 19>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy