Farr 3.7

Originally posted by PeterG We can't get back peoples time but we can get fleet racing back and I truly believe this will help participation I wouldn't want to put words in salmon80's mouth, or take them out, but I'm beginning to see a large shoal of red herrings being created here. A statement suggesting fleet rather than handicap racing is a worthwhile activity seems to be being assumed to mean he favours RYA regulation of what can be sailed? Perhaps I'm wrong, I certainly wouldn't interpret it in that way. I do think fleet racing is a far more worthwhile way to spend my time than handicap racing, like salmon I take steps to do that, though it may mean sailing a boat that might not be my first choice taken in the absence of considerations about fleets. I also used to sail a Contender and, unlike salmon, would probably rate it at or near the top of the boats I'd choose to sail. But I don't, in fact I now sail a Devon Yawl, something completely different, and the reason is simple, I've moved and I can enjoy good fleet racing at my local club in the Yawl with a social side to match. That's worth far more to me than the details of the boat I sail. So yes, if we want to we can get back to fleet racing, it doesn't mean going back to clubs or the RYA specifying classes. It means making the choice. To me that a complete no brainer, though clearly to many here it isn't - which is perhaps no surprise given this the Dinghy Development forum!

The idea that there is a dinghy class for everyone is one of the great aspects of sailing in the UK, but it's also the worst part of it. Rather than developing skills in the same boats as others, people pfaff around sailing in crap boats that allegedly suit their weight but provide them with no indication of how they are developing their skills because they have nothing to judge themselves against.

I love all these comments about other sports not having regulations because it's all bul**hit. Every sport I know including all of the racket sports have rules that aim to reduce the influence of the equipment. Rules on racket head size, string material and tension, tread on shoes, frame geometry on bikes, geometry on archery bows, engine size or even specific models in motorsport, material of swimsuits.

The older I get the more I believe that development or progress does not come from freespirited types doing their own thing, they tend to create a negative vibe which is often more damaging to the sport they claim to enjoy. The big gains come from those understanding how best to work with the limited equipment they are provided with.

The diversity of sailing in the UK if allowed to proliferate too much longer could have a significant adverse effect on UK sailing.

The diversity is certainly not helping class associations. We are one of the only countries in the world where significant numbers do not join their class associations because we typically sail in handicap fleets at our home clubs. Other countries with fewer classes tending to race in fleets even at their home club, can only race their boat of they are a member of the association! Just think what your class could do if nearly everyone sailing your class in your country was a paid member?

Originally posted by JimC Originally posted by salmon80 I support this model and think that it increases participation. It clearly doesn't. Almost every club that used to have designated fleets only has dropped the policy. If fleet racing were popular then as soon as you got a reasonable nucleus of boats of a class at a club it would snowball, and you'd get more and more, but time an time again I've seen the nucleus of a fleet start, usually propelled by one enthusiast who works hard at it, but then time and again it all slips away again. It seems easier to put a nucleus of a fleet together for a season or two than it is to maintain one. If fleet racing were popular it would be the opposite. Its one of those things that everyone says is a good idea, but when it comes down to it few support.

Lots of clubs with designated fleets are doing pretty well in keelboats. Maybe it helps that body weight of one person is not so critical with 3 of you and a ton of boat. But if anyone enjoys the tactical side and the subtlety of getting that extra 0.05knot, give it a try!
But something light and quick is another facet of sailing, surely nobody really thinks one boat meets all their needs?

Originally posted by iGRF ....., If dinghies were like bikes, we'd have automatic devices to adjust rig angle, steering attitude, sheeting angles, all adjusted from the tiller grip, the whole boat would weig....

I was thinking Merlin up to this point.....

It's impossible, really, to please everybody.. I sail single handed, so what should I sail?