R Speculation

Originally posted by iGRF What good do class associations do for a builder?

I'm with GRF on this one too. 😰

The CA is like a fan club, it shouldn't really have a say in commercial aspects.

Originally posted by iGRF Originally posted by Medway Maniac Class assns do a lot for builders, not least by organising events which provide a reason for buying the boat.  Just ask a builder.  No class assn, no opens, no nationals.  Not that you dare appear at either of course after your drubbing at your first. You're a little bitch tonight, tell me, what have you ever won? Some 'National Championship' of two dozen boats? Make you a National Champion does it? Big Hero? You people and you're silly value structure. Class Associations organise things for their own self amusement/self aggrandisement, it doesn't do the builder any good whatsoever. New customers is what a builder needs and to assure that, constant innovation is required.

Edit: <> added in view of subsequent discussion.

Edited by Medway Maniac - 27 Sep 14 at 10:03am

Doesn't the ca keep the interest in the class alive that the builder benefits from. If there is no ca then normally then there is no championships, no opens, etc which keep the class interesting for potential purchasers. Without them the builder has no customers. Therefore the two are intertwined. 

If the manufacturer has enough 'sway' in the decision making process things can work fine, but the moment the decision making process as to what it does or does not build is influenced by those who don't want change to protect their own investment, then it's a recipe for stagnation or slow extinction, getting ISAF involved is another recipe for disaster.

That's why there are so many disparate classes, because the product doesn't evolve, there is no choice but for another to happen along in the name of improvement.

Edited by iGRF - 26 Sep 14 at 11:32pm