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Nationals attendance.
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JimC View Drop Down
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    Posted: 19 Sep 13 at 1:03pm
Originally posted by iGRF

that is the only game in play right now and is being used rather than the production of new designs


You could argue that there's not much point in introducing a new design if its not significantly better than what's already out there. Relaunching a decent design that for one reason or another has lost its way in the market has a number of advantages. I don't think I've seen many cases of companies attempting to revitalise one of the dead dogs that have deservedly been consigned to the dustbin of history.

"Igor"
"Yes master"
"fetch me the electrodes, the publicity handout kit and the polyester resin"
"Yes Master"
"Igor"
"Yes master"
"today we will revitalise"
"Yes master, tell me master"
"The Skipper 14!"

[with apologies to Niven and Pratchett!)

Edited by JimC - 19 Sep 13 at 1:07pm
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RS400atC View Drop Down
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Posts: 3011 		Post Options Post Options   Quote RS400atC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 13 at 1:11pm
Originally posted by iitick

Every thing that has been mentioned so far has been done by the Lightning Class but still numbers are stable. That is what puzzles me. Next year I may attempt the Nationals myself and swell the numbers by one.  Who knows I might even be competition for........
 
You might think that Northampton is a delightful place for a family break, others may think differently?
 
What you have to do is identify sample individuals who don't come, but are your targets.
Start with people who come one year then don't come back.
Find out why.
Who owns the boats?
Not everyone wants to do a nationals, and  those that do will possibly pick a class that has the type of nationals they want.
That may mean coastal venue, school holidays, or not school holidays, style of racing, number of days, the people to race against.
What's the event like socially? Too directed towards a certain demographic?
 
 
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fleaberto View Drop Down
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Posts: 302 		Post Options Post Options   Quote fleaberto Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 13 at 1:39pm
Tick,
We actually had 27 register on the first day, but a couple of the guys weren't able to actually race due to one thing or another.
You know the class and it's people very well and you also know that we've tried to keep things as un-cuthroat as possible, whilst also providing good racing throughout the fleet.
The last few years may have seen a stabilising of numbers, but the fleet is more compacted than ever.
For example, I reached the heady heights of 7th in one race at one point (Yes, ME!) but infringed another boat. Fair enough, but my resulting 720 dropped me to 14th .... a couple of years ago this may only have lost me one or two places such was the spread of the fleet. (Rupert also commented that it's now as hard to get to 8th/9th/10th as it was to get to 3rd/4th/5th just a couple of years ago)
I also almost lead into the windward mark (yes....ME!!!!) - but got scared and dropped to 14th again! LOL (...or was it Robbie and Paul laughing at my shock of being where I was that put me off??)
 
I guess the point is that we've worked hard to make everyone feel included. Everyone is aware of everyone elses results and we're always encouraging and imparting advice, be that the likes of Robbie at the front or me down at the back. People were genuinely interested in who beat who out of Emma and Tony for last place for another example - applauding them over the line. (Paul even helped me reset my dodgy kicker on the Sunday morning to help me sail better in the big breeze).
 
30 boats would be a great turnout, but the quality and friendliness of the racing has been the primary objective for the class. However, with gentle increases in Nationals turnouts over the last few years, we've gradually bought the boat back from the brink - with a deliberate agenda and ethos at the heart of this progress.
 
Numbers aren't always the be all as a measure of success, the measure to us are the number of smiles on and off the water.


Edited by fleaberto - 19 Sep 13 at 1:50pm
Lightning368 'All the Gear' (409), Lightning368 'Sprite' (101), Laser (big number) 'Yellow Jack', RS Vareo (432)'The Golden Rays'
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timeintheboat View Drop Down
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Posts: 615 		Post Options Post Options   Quote timeintheboat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 13 at 1:53pm
There needs to be new boats being built and reasonably priced competitive 2nd hand boats coming onto the market to expand the class.

I suspect - though with no figures to back it up - that the percentage of boats (any class) competing at some class event over a year is reasonably static without boat churn - with the occasional bubble everynow and then. These bubbles are what is interestsing and what provokes them. Usually a change to the boat or new blood in the CA.
Like some other things - sailing is more enjoyable when you do it with someone else
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iGRF View Drop Down
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Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 13 at 2:07pm
One of our guys has one of these I think, is it a lightning 368?

It is so far behind it destroys his confidence not to mention being lonely and boring.

So fit it with a bigger sail, so it can keep up, actually over the water, don't even tell anyone you've done it and watch the banditerati flock to your cause...

It's the only way - you know it makes sense, if for no other reason every one else will have to buy the big rig eventually, yes they'll whine, but then dinghy sailors whine all the time, just buy ear plugs with all the extra cash.. (the wink means joy at the extra cash, not that I don't mean this, it's exactly what I'd do if were were Mr Lightning Builder)


Oh and JimC what have you been taking? I very nearly had a coffee keyboard moment

Edited by iGRF - 19 Sep 13 at 2:10pm
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Rupert View Drop Down
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Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 13 at 4:07pm
The sail is plenty big enough apart from in a drift. Speed wise, it compares with all the other 12 foot boats out there, really, barring ones with big front sails and trapezes. Waterline length is what it is.
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iitick View Drop Down
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Posts: 392 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iitick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 13 at 4:22pm
If you read my original post fleaberto I applaud the efforts made by the class. In my opinion you did everything right. It is just that when I look at attendance figures I wonder why they have remained fairly static after that effort. Also, congratulations on your personal performance I am impressed! Next year I hope that team Saunders will be back with two boats, If I do sail it will move all the fleet up one place......

Young Fuller, I am sure that all your "guys" are kind and pleasant people as any friend of yours must be but it does not imply that they can sail. Perhaps if this "guy" gets fed up he might contact the Lightning Class Association where there is a shortage of boats. 
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RS400atC View Drop Down
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Posts: 3011 		Post Options Post Options   Quote RS400atC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 13 at 4:34pm
Originally posted by iitick

...... Perhaps if this "guy" gets fed up he might contact the Lightning Class Association where there is a shortage of boats. 
 
You should be more encouraging, like telling him he'll learn lots coming to an event or two.
So he can boost his club performance to super GRF beating levels.....
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Matt Jackson View Drop Down
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Posts: 962 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Matt Jackson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 13 at 4:45pm
Originally posted by iGRF

Originally posted by maxibuddah

That may be the case in some classes grf if you are being unkind but in the phantom it certainly wasn't. The changes were made to stop the class going into extinction, to make it easier to sail and so make it more accessible. As a result admittedly the boat has got faster than it used to be. More of a by product than an intention.


...what a pity the Contender class didn't react in the same manner... 

Is this the same Contender that has had Nationals attendances between 40 and 60 just about every year for the last 15? What's wrong with that?
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iGRF View Drop Down
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Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 13 at 4:52pm
I remember now, the story goes, another guy had it, good sailor, ex youth champ did OK on v rare occasion on handicap, but stil trod a lonely path, upgraded and bought my pals old Phantom and then as all good sailors do to us ex windsurfers, beat us with our old boat and we're in a new one.

However it still proves the point, it's too slow for the sea. Now the reason it caught my attention was when it was briefly for sale it looked like potentially a good Lake weapon, it still has a ridiculously small sail did I read 6 mtr somewhere, which puts it struggling to hold a streaker.

Bigger sail or die - simples.

Edited by iGRF - 19 Sep 13 at 4:52pm
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