The RS400 Rumours thread.

Originally posted by Rupert . If you want to race against other boats the same, then that is a different kettle of fish. You then are agreeing to use a set of rules, whether it be "it must be 14 feet" or a tight set where everything is the same on all boats. If you don't abide by those rules, what is the point in joining in at all?

Do non SMOD classes have a replica problem, and if not, why not?

Originally posted by Norbert Originally posted by RS400atC Norbert, I understand your logic, but I would be afraid of sailmakers buying old boats and developing the sails, for instance making a flatter or fuller sail to suit a Nationals venue. An old boat in good condition with fittings that work can be fully competitive. I'm sure there are some that are beaten to death and flexible, but I'm equally sure there are some that have been looked after.... Hmmmm, i was thinking more along the lines of replica sails not opening them up to a rules based development

I don't think you could control the fullness of 'replica' sails without a very well defined measurement set up. A bit more or less luff round etc....

kites particularly must be open to interpretaion of the shape?

As I understand it, replica's are not like photocopies, they are designed to a set of measurements using a sailmakers cad program to be equivalent to the standard item. Very easy to tweak the camber should you wish. For a general purpose sail, the outcome is unlikely to be significantly better than the original, but you might make a better reaching kite or a main for light people etc.

Maybe a dedicated RS400 forum, with a for sale section would work better than the current CA website, where ads are only from CA members and heavily moderated. You'd have to draw in non CA members to make anything happen.

One of the big costs and problems is carriage/postage.

One of the reasons i suggested ebay was that anything will sell provided the price is right, auctions will do just that for you. If you have a for sale section inside a closed community the non traveling / open meeting attending sailors who see little benefit from belonging to a class association would not be able / feel comfortable in participating especially as these are the people who's increased performance will lead ultimately to joining the CA.

Furthermore i am of the opinion that sellers are overly optimistic as to what their 2nd hand sails are worth and put up unrealistic sale prices.

Put up rubbish 15 year old sails in an auction and you will get a rubbish price for them, but at least you will have got something and the new owner will probably have something better than he has already. Put up a set of 2 year old sails that won the nationals and have some sort of mystique about them then who knows they may sell for more than a new set.

The RS Sails eBay Shop would be rather esoteric and the usual fears and concerns would probably not appear.

Regarding cost of delivery, i pretty much reckon i would drive 100+ miles to pick up/deliver/meet in the middle rather that use freight, especially if the sail sale cost was a veritable bargain.

[edit] spello


Edited by Norbert

Originally posted by RS400atC Maybe a dedicated RS400 forum, with a for sale section would work better than the current CA website, where ads are only from CA members and heavily moderated. You'd have to draw in non CA members to make anything happen.

Why reinvent the wheel? CA memebers can post adverts to the for sale section for free, but you can pay to get adverts put up there if you're not a member, and you don't need to pay to look at them...

OK - you could make it entirely free for everyone to post, but the CA members are loosing a benefit, but for the benefit for the class as a whole - perhaps.