Demographic Changes

Well I sailed the Alto lots over a roughly 12 month period, and I class it as one of the best boats I've ever used. It's not perfect (what is?)but it gave me some of the most satisfying sailing of my life.

The media discussion is important,  there are 109 International Classes and numerous others,  so massive fragmentation -  for the outside world very confusing,  which of the 109 potential world championships should you follow ?

Well i disagree with 'Is that not almost a' approach.  Especially with OD's.  People think that these classes develop very slowly if at all, but in theory they develop much like the development classes but in a different way.  New classes are launched and challenge their market space, if they are successful largely the old class (should in theory) decline.  The fact is that many new designs have not been good enough or have not met the brief to replace some of the legacy OD classes....(Well in theory thats how it should work in my warped mind).  Now I am sure there are instances where better boats have failed, perhaps they hav their price point wrong, or have now marketed effectively.  Again this reflects back on the lack of proper media in the dinghy arena

Well at least these days media includes social media - which includes things like this forum (c.f. RS100) - for the promotion of classes and to create an interest. So it can also be a do-it-yourself promotion.

Null,

Jim C was spot on, when he talked about there being a lot more in the way of fragmentation through the arrival of new classes back in the 'golden era'. Yet, out of all these boats, few made it through, the attrition rate suggested a very harsh environment. In addition to the Darwian 'survival of the fittest' there were clearly other factors at work, as there were some really exciting and innovative boats that flourished briefly, then vanished from view.

There is a danger in trying to 'over-write' the story of any boat, new or old, without a clear picture of what that boat is all about. This needs far more than just a boat test or two, but a wide ranging observation, over a period of time, as to what the boat is doing, for whom - and why. A good example of how NOT to do this would be the early writing about the Blaze. The first generation of this boat provided anything BUT an enjoyable sailing experience, despite what the writing of the day suggested. Then the 'Blaze X' came along with a 'chalk and cheese' change in the overall experience - the boat was enjoyable to sail and offered - and still offers, a huge amount of fun. Add the Halo rig on and the boat is a real crackerjack.

There is a really good piece of advice, "be careful what you wish for". Wanting media focus 'now' can only provide the thinnest of stories, for the simple reason that none of the new boats have yet shown that they can create and then successfully occupy a niche. You've not even had a Nationals yet, so what is there for a journalist to write about. Now, as it looks as though I'm the PRO for your Nationals in May, I'll have a grandstand view of how the class is developing. But with yet more new classes expected to be hitting the water soon, what I will write is still a long way from being clear. But I can assure you of this - I will be writing about these boats when there is something to say!

D