What classes will survive ?

I think the thing you've all missed, is that attendances are dropping in
most competitive sailing arenas. Windsurfing numbers have been on the
wane in direct proportion to the more "technical" nature and expense of
the craft.

Gone are the days of two three or even four hundred competitors except
on one of windy dumbed down "fun" events. It's a dumbed down world
and it exists with increasing Fuel costs, not to mention traffic congestion
and credit crunch.

Positively, the classes that I see surviving will be obviously those with
Olympics as an end result and the easy access popular single handers like
the laser which seems to be undergoing a bit of a resurgence in our part
of the world simply because its cheap and they are a no brainer at the low
end and the expensive and technical "macho" elitist classes that offer the
would be hero a none Olympic platform although they'll need to attract
outside sponsorship for longevity.

This shouldn't turn into another "Industry future" thread that my earlier
rant might suggest, apologies for that, the yard building my boat have
been lying again, very frustrating, in my world customers like me are rare
and you dont lie to them and frick them around or they will punish you.

I did think that mixed assym class should have a future, there, it left such
an impression I've forgotten its name already, but the idea is sound, One
Design classes always will self limit by human nature not wishing to be
that badly quantified, Open fleets bring lots of other reasons for defeat.

I can't see RS going away, but they need some other boat to rejuvenate
their fleets imo. And there will always be the old guard eking out an
existence whilst they look for the elephants graveyard in which to hold
their last Nationals..





Edited by G.R.F

Originally posted by Doug.H Originally posted by timnoyce Wayfarer on the out? I think if you saw our order book you might change your mind there Doug    True enough and for what I'm next about to say, DO CORRECT me if i'm wrong but I thought the Hartley wayfarer hulls didn't measure up under the rules and so can't be raced (possibly too long on the waterline)? And so the ones that are being ordered from Hartley are for cruising only? Meaning they wouldn't contribute to the racing longevity of the class? Doug H

Any measurement issues have been resolved now, but you're right, there were initially some 'issues'. We've got 3 sets of new moulds now in constant use so enough to keep us busy for now.

The measurement discrepancy was a rule regarding chine height at the transom which was initially out by a couple of millimetres. Sorted now and all boats can have measurement certificates.

We've built nearly 50 Wayfarers since we started last April and have a similar number on order. 10 or so of which are racing boats. So not bad for a 50 year old class

I can't see the RS400 fading for a long time and the 200 too - they are just so good at what they do.  As a 4000 owner I have to admit I think it will fade but it does have its good points and as yet there is no direct competitor (except perhaps the ISO) and so it will be a long time going.  It would be a fabulous boat if it had a carbon rig and lost 20kg or would do a lot better if it had a handicap of about 915.

What will be interesting is the 3000.  It is now so much faster than the old boats it will be interesting to see if this damages the fleet - or re-juvenates it.

The Wayfarer is a classic and no other boat quite hits that spot.  This may be the case for the Enterprise but anyway being built in glass fibre there will be many around for many years even if few are made.  The Laser will stay, the Contender, the 5o5, the Firefly and the development classes will too. 

I think we are going to see more turnover in the high performance classes, since it is technology that makes these boats do what they do and technology is always moving on.  Hence the 700 is on the way out, along with the 5000 and the ISO.  The Boss has gone along with the Dutchman.  There’ll always be a few diehards who’ll keep sailing these classes but that’s not the same as being mainstream. 

I wonder in a few years what we’ll think of the Topper, Buzz, Osprey, Lark, 470, 420, Vortex, 600, Stratos and I’m sure there are more I could add to the list.  They are in the balance.

Aye, there's one- or two of the large roto molded boats at my club, but they tend to be amongest the less-often seen parts of the fleet- our launching facilities really don't help in that respect, there's definitely a lot going for having a lightweight boat at King George when the tractor breaks down!

I have to say it is true that the 4000 is dying when i sailed one they had reasonable attendence at the events etc. But the boat always felt heavy and clumbersome. Have you picked up a set of 4000 foils? I suspect it will be the same for the laser 2s aswell and unfortunately i think the 6 and 300 will dissapear.
Cheers,
Alex