What classes will survive ?

I have to say that as I see it part of the problem with RS is they are always adding other boats in to their range aimed at similar targets. E.G. The 200 and Vareo seem to be targeting the same people. Dito 600 & 700.

Laser did the same thing with the Dart 16 replacing the 15, although that doesn't seem to of worked as the Sprint 15 has kept going, where as there does not seem to be much interest in the Dart 16.

The traditional boats (Ent, N12 Laser etc.) seem to keep going and I think the high techs have got to change to remain high techs. I'm just not sure what happens with the medium tech boats, those in the Fireball target type.

 I’ve long felt that either of the following would be good for sailing and a way of controlling the plethora of classes that we have in this country. Either…

Get away from handicap racing and move over to class racing. I don’t mean all sail the same boat but all sail a boat to an agreed standard. For example a Large single trapeze asymmetric class might put 4000’s, ISO’s, Alto’s etc together, small might have 3000’s, Buzzes, Vago’s etc We then get larger fleets, yes the bad boats would slip out the bottom but the good ones would have a much healthier target to aim for.

Or

After five years any new boat design becomes the property of its class association. That way if it needs bringing up to date it can be. If the manufacturer isn’t supporting the class the way the owners would like then a new supplier can be found. It would force the manufacturers to either do a better job or at least think seriously about the potential for a new boat before introducing it.

Or at least that’s what I think!

Ian

I wholeheartedly agree James but can't see it happening unfortunately. This has been discussed on the 300 class bulletin board (something else that could do with updating in this modern day and age), and there was a rather blunt reply from someone high up in rs class association. Probably a good choice going for the phantom, as much as i love my 300 I am seriously considering joining you....

It depends whether you want to be doing handicap racing or not? For handiap racing dont bother but for general sailing around in its not too bad. When i was choosing a boat i originally wanted a vareo as it had the kite and looked more exciting than a laser. But after sailing one it really wasn't very good so i bought a 600 as it was a lot nicer to sail and we have a reasonable fleet at Alton so it depends what you want from it.

Yeah dont get one then!! The only reason i liked my laser was because there was always someone to race against!! I've never sailed a solo so i can't really comment on them. But does it have to be hiker because i found that when i compared the 600 to a vareo it was a bigger challenge, faster and had a bigger grin factor!! If you dont mind a steep learning curve theres a really good bunch of guys on the circuit and its soo much fun!!

Or what about a contender? The new ones look really nice!!