D-One - open sailmakers?

Why would open sail rules mean cheque book sailing?  Is it in the Solo, Phantom, GP14 etc.  I think you find that most people will gravitate to whatever sail is used by the top boys.  Like in any other class.  For me whats interesting about the whole thing  is that no truelly modern class has gone down the open sail route.  So in that respect if the changes come through, i think its fairly exciting.  I also think it would help with the longevity of the class a whole. 

It comes from the world of black platinum cards doesn't it, they stopped using chequebooks eons ago, don't they have PA's for that, all those rich farm boys?

Originally posted by Peaky The benefit of open sailmakers is that you get multiple companies sailing and promoting the class, which must lead to more interest. But if the sail design is open, it will lead to spiralling costs with fancy clothes and battens. That might be okay in a 'premium' boat like the D1, but wouldn't suit all classes. If the design is closed then it seems a bit pointless - the only differentiator is price and do you really want to buy from the guy who is prepared to live off the least amount of money (probably in China)?

Thats not strictly True Peaky.  I will try and get a copy of the rule discussion, but as i understand it the limits to what a sail maker can do would be limited byt the class rules and measurments.  Fancy battens and flashy cloth i suspect will be outlawed, the point is that the class can decide where to buy there sails from, so if someone want to buy sails stiched together in a backalley in china then fine.  Personally i wouldn't and would be happy to pay a premium for that.  But the choice is there, you would not be forced to do anything, which with current SMOD format you are.

I'm sure one of the reasons the Solo, FB, Merlin etc continue to be popular is that the commercial interests of the sailmakers, mast makers etc keep the class vibrant with new ideas and steady, continuous progress. If the Solo was stuck preserved in 1973 mode, it would surely be obsolete now.

Does the D1 proposal cover foils too?

The only point I can see for having different manufactures is to have different cuts out otherwise if you have very rigid rules on the cut of the sail they will all have to be the same. Then it's down to price of materials, assembly costs and profit. You'd be better off lobbying north to reduce their price.

If you allow different cuts then you are using the sail to cater for different weight ranges which defeats the point of the weight equalisation wing positions. Perhaps vote for it within a set of parameters and get rid of the extra fittings on the floor and fix the wings in one place.

I like the option of different sailmakers as it brings options to sailors across the weight ranges. Certainly the phantom wouldn't have taken off a few years back if the sails were strict one design and only cut for fatties.

I certainly hope that the class get this right as is growing nicely as it is and the last thing it needs is a shot in the foot. Good luck in your decision making.