Replica Laser/Torch parts

Originally posted by gary145 Originally posted by fdsailor Head above the parapet here...duck!!! I don't wholly agree with Mark's article and many of the comments. Yes it would be much better for the club sailor (i.e. the majority). But there are implications.The Laser phenomenon at grand-prix international level is a class which hosts very professional level events, often with builder supplied boats, with all the peripheral 'circus' that goes along with prestigious events. The money for these events has to come from somewhere. Whilst there are sponsors, I suspect that at least part of all this has to be subsidized by a margin on spare parts.   why should the club sailor subsidize the top events?  Shouldn't they be self financing?

They're expensive enough (ie at least as pricey as equivalent regattas in smaller classes without an ailing quasi Marxist philosophy) so I suspect again that nothing from the several hundred percent markup on the price of your boat or parts is going there - somebody is on the take from the new boat cash once again.

Originally posted by fdsailor Head above the parapet here...duck!!! I don't wholly agree with Mark's article and many of the comments. Yes it would be much better for the club sailor (i.e. the majority). But there are implications. The Laser phenomenon at grand-prix international level is a class which hosts very professional level events, often with builder supplied boats, with all the peripheral 'circus' that goes along with prestigious events. The money for these events has to come from somewhere. Whilst there are sponsors, I suspect that at least part of all this has to be subsidized by a margin on spare parts.

Just to set out my turf here, I think that the status quo of clubs turning a blind eye to non-official kit whilst ILCA or whoever insist on genuine kit for the full circuit is probably the best option. They just need to make that official kit better value for money - i.e. make it last longer and perhaps be honest about where that markup is going. Open up the replica market in full and those (possibly circuit subsidizing) markups will have to be found somewhere else (probably through the class subs). The replica sellers will look good as their sails will still cost the same, but the class will have a real expensive administrative headache ensuring consistency, and will have to pass those admin costs on to their members along with circuit subsidization costs. Thats a good idea to remove any trace of where the sails were made though. Just my opinion !

I remember a fascinating speech from the CEO of a company that was a successful, profitable and long lasting monopoly. His secret, never make so much money that your customers think you are profiteering (either due to cost or poor product).

As soon as people think you are profiteering it invites other potential competitors to try and muscle in on the money. If you keep below the radar, then people just accept the niche, that it is working and therefore too difficult to compete against. That leaves the monopoly to just be a healthy long serving company to it's customers.

I wish more CEOs were like this and more importantly able to keep shareholders on board that this is the best strategy.

If anyone thinks allowing multiple manufacturers would reduce the price of sails I suggest they check out the price of North Optimist rags... Competition within a class puts up prices, because fastest sells best, its only competition between classes that reduces them.