Multi-rig racing

I think it requires a stubborn git mentality to refuse to consider a laser again..... No way I'd borrow the club laser, just think what would happen if I liked it?!????!!!??

I'm delighted that you're enjoying your boat Washy, and the *eros will hopefully persuade some lapsed Laser sailors back on to the water, but don't forget that there's plenty of us that have no interest in them.

Your post also reads as if carbon fibre has only just been used for boats, whereas I14s, Moths, Cherubs, Finns, Europes and countless other "things designed four decades ago" or more have been using "exotic materials" for what, 2 decades? On that subject, I can think of very few classes of boats that are still as they were 40 years ago (aside from the obvious SMODS). Even my '97 Finn is a world away from a mid-80's boat...

Perhaps your non-sailing mates are paying more attention because of your obvious enthusiasm for your class, rather than the boat itself? Is this boat going to make them take up sailing? If so, I'd suggest they wouldn't stick with the boat long, as these are *sweeping generalisation alert* people that will spend a fortune on a new set of Mavics or a new groupset that is 15g lighter, whilst ignoring the 3Kg of gut and lovehandles that they're carrying around. They won't be able to pimp, love and fettle their SMOD so will soon lose interest, either dropping out of the sport or moving class to one that allows them to personalise and optimise, the way they do with their bikes.

The *eros are great, but they're not the answer to life, the universe and everything (42). I'm looking forward to racing against them in my Finn on handicap (and we shouldn't be that far apart on the racecourse - how much difference with over 70 years between the designs?) as the more the more the merrier on the water.

Edited by Bootscooter - 14 Mar 15 at 9:22pm

Jim- while on this tangent, do you ever recall much hull work with dyneema in small boat design and build?

(Reason for asking is my favourite windsurf board is built around a dyneema lay up)

I was being purposely cautious Jim, so as not to be called out on unsubstantiated claims
The point is that while these boats may feel revolutionary, they're not really in terms of construction, but perhaps in accessibility for the masses.

Perhaps I'm being a bit over-sensitive, but the "new is good, old is bad" from quite a few posters is beginning to rankle a bit (I expect it from Grumph ). I, and many others don't want a SMOD, don't want a perfectly designed hull, don't want "effortless speed" - I've been there, done that, and now I want to play the way I'm playing. I don't expect others to feel and want the same as me, so why do so many become "overly evangelical" about their choices?

Sorry for my leap there Washy, you're right that I've read it wrong (Doh!)
My points are still valid though comparing the *eros to other classes, but yes, they're a step-change forward from the Laser.