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What classes will survive ?
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    Posted: 18 Jun 08 at 7:37pm
Hi all,

The UK seems to have a wider variety of classes than many countries but which classes will wither away ? ..........and if so why ? Classes like the RS600 seemed to be fizzling out at one point, yet the class now seems to have re-emerged with a new group of sailors + the foiling option which seems to have increased interest in the class,

Nigel

P.S. Please don't use this thread just to sl*g off other classes ! Angry
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Posts: 842 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Skiffybob Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 08 at 7:57pm

Well I reckon that most development classes will survive, mainly because they have the ability to change with the times (which has already been well proven). So N12, 12, Cherub, I14, IC, Merlin, etc) All great boats bcause they are not "locked in time".

As far as the one design classes go, my view is that some are designed because they're inherantly a good idea, and as such tend to be designed and built up to a spec, rather than down to a price. Good examples of modern classes like this are the B14, and the RS600.

A lot however, are a feature of our current "ikea society" where the class is designed around fashion and built down to a price, with not real regard to longevity (either of the boats or the class). I shaln't comment on the examples of the latter for fear of the men in black balaclavas.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 08 at 8:24pm
Not something I actually like to think about but I think the RS700 is slowly
on its way out. A shame because it's a good boat but I just can't see it
competing with the musto.
Whilst again I do also love the Laser 4000, I like crewing it and I like
helming it.... I'm not sure how much longer the circuit can keep going.
Though in my ideal world the guys in buzz's and Iso's would transfer
over to the 4000. At least that way one would be saved instead of all
three fading away. And thrown in there you'll notice are two other classes
I don't think have much momentum left.
I've no doubt there will always be plenty of these boats club raced but I
assume we're talking about having a racing circuit with a national and
even an international regatta.
Anyway, classes I think that are on the out
RS700
RS400
RS300
RS vareo
Buzz
Iso
Laser4000
Wayfarer
Vortex
L/V3000
I think the only boat in the above list I wouldn't want to sail is the ISO,
the others I think are fine boats but I just don't know how much
momentum these guys have got.

P.s I'd love to see what the 4000 could do on a mass diet, low weight hull
and carbon spars...... A hull that can aready plane upwind whilst having
enough length, hull round and rocker to roll tack and keep driving in the
lighter breeze.... interesting.

Doug.H





Edited by Doug.H
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Posts: 1991 		Post Options Post Options   Quote timnoyce Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 08 at 8:32pm
Wayfarer on the out? I think if you saw our order book you might change your mind there Doug   
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 08 at 8:55pm
Originally posted by timnoyce

Wayfarer on the out? I think if you saw our order
book you might change your mind there Doug   


Well if your like any other two bit boat builder this country has your lucky
to have an order for anything.

Don't talk to me about boat builders and order books.

Classes becoming extinct? a Governing Body that ignores any group other
than kids, the whole damn Industry doesn't deserve its continued
existence the way it conducts business and organises itself.

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Posts: 146 		Post Options Post Options   Quote laserboy404 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 08 at 9:08pm

oh dear, a rant already!

I agree with doug that the vareo may be on the way out, (just look at the ads in DSM) however, I can't see the 400 going anywhere in a hurry . And I'm afraid we may be stuck with lasers for a while yet

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Posts: 1991 		Post Options Post Options   Quote timnoyce Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 08 at 9:22pm
Originally posted by G.R.F

Originally posted by timnoyce

Wayfarer on the out? I think if you saw our order
book you might change your mind there Doug   


Well if your like any other two bit boat builder this country has your lucky
to have an order for anything.

Don't talk to me about boat builders and order books.

Classes becoming extinct? a Governing Body that ignores any group other
than kids, the whole damn Industry doesn't deserve its continued
existence the way it conducts business and organises itself.



We've got one or two thanks GRF, thanks for the concern
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Posts: 534 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Webmuppet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 08 at 9:22pm
Originally posted by laserboy404


I agree with doug that the vareo may be on the way out, (just look at the ads in DSM)


Unsurprisingly, as a Vareo sailor,  I'm interested in that comment Confused Last years nationals was very well attended (48 boats) but there does seem to be a high turn-over of boats - It'll be interesting to see how many turn up for this years nationals. I suspect that there will be a lower turn-out, but I'd very much like to be proved wrong,

Nigel
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Posts: 408 		Post Options Post Options   Quote tickel Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 08 at 9:34pm
If a class is built in plastic in reasonable numbers and is updated from time to time it will take a long time to finaly die even when it is looking geriatric. GP 14, Ent.,Lark, Lightning Tasar ect. It seems to me that the "flash in the pan" boats are most at risk, like flared trousers, they go out of fashion. How are "flares" doing in the acceptability stakes right now? Are supernovas here to stay? At the end of the first Planet of the Apes film Charlton Heston sees the top of the Statue of Liberty poking out of the sand. Civilisation failed, he falls to his knees........replay the scene but this time its a ......laser, please!!

Sorry, rambling again. Back to the rest home.
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Posts: 1211 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Contender443 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 08 at 9:56pm

There is one other factor that will ""kill" dinghy classes and that is fuel prices.

People will look at the cost of getting to events much closer than they have ever done before. There will certainly be a lot of looking at the forecast at the last minute before deciding to go.

And if you are one of the less active classes then this may kill an open meeting circuit.
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