Open Bic

Chris....you and Jim are the last people that I'd think of as anything but thorough, for I know that we share the view that properly conducted research gives a far more balanced answer than many of the knee jerk comments than some of these threads can attract. Take the oft expressed viewpoint that if the sport could but free itself of the so called 'farmyard classes' that we'd suddenly see a revolution in the sport. Of course people are entitled to their own views, to me though the baseline data just doesn't support the proposition.
In one of the talks I give I've some interesting slides that show that as you add sails/sail area whilst lightening the hull, that you end up with faster boats but a smaller pool of people capable of sailing them. This isn't 'the factor' but it sure is one of them! Another is taking the sailing 'experience' in it's totality - not just what happens afloat but the whole thing - from being part of a class, to having similar boats to race against, to being with like minded people.

Incidentally - you should remember this...with reference to iGFR's comments about box rules - just before the big bucks renaming from the IYRU to ISAF there was indeed a plan for an 'open' twin wire 15ft dinghy. This was indeed to be subject to a simple box rule and rig restrictions but got overtaken by events elsewhere and the idea died a death! Somewhere I still have some IYRU papers on this - will see if I can dig them out!
D

A sensible approach would be a box rule for both a fast single hander and twin hander single wire that has a few caveats to keep them real and within the sailing ability of those who could afford to buy and sail them by virtue of full employment elsewhere.

I.E. If it fails the falling over test when left at the dock unsupported

Or if it fails the standard health and safety lifting weight for average workers in the workplace. (32 kgs) (64 for two isn't it, something like that anyway)

People get put off by lots of things y'all don't often consider, being able to lift them is one..

Originally posted by iGRF A sensible approach would be a box rule for both a fast single hander and twin hander single wire that has a few caveats to keep them real and within the sailing ability of those who could afford to buy and sail them by virtue of full employment elsewhere. I.E. If it fails the falling over test when left at the dock unsupported Or if it fails the standard health and safety lifting weight for average workers in the workplace. (32 kgs) (64 for two isn't it, something like that anyway) People get put off by lots of things y'all don't often consider, being able to lift them is one..

Whilst I'm all for trying something different with adult boat choices, but putting a kid in some weird ass boat some adult decides is cooler is just cruel.

Let's have that hypothetical line up... but under the proviso the Oppy team can be led by its ex sailors, complete with their olympic medals, polished Team GBR pro sailing mantra and immaculate shiny teeth. And on the O'pan Bin line you can bring their champ, along with his guide dog, basin haircut and ASDA trainers.

Originally posted by iGRF The blinkered view that GRF witters on about is that Fast and High Performance needn't necessarily be difficult or unappealing to use. Even what we are talking about here, an old box with a gaff rig v a new wash through with a modern(ish) windsurf inspired rig, in it's way is exactly what is going on through the entire sport. That bloody awful Finn still being used at the very highest level thanks to the boys in Blazers, I'm sure that racing would be just as TV appealing in Phantoms. That other nice rig on the International class we talked about the other day, the Byte, ignored in favour of what a Laser Radial I guess. Extreme Luddism at every level as far as I can see..

Edited by Chris 249 - 08 Aug 13 at 2:22am