RS500 ...

I have to agree; I'd love to review the market segmentation analysis that shows the gap in the market.

Perhaps the chaps at RS should read this page.

http://www.marketingteacher.com/Lessons/lesson_ansoff.htm

Rick

There is a very cropped shot on the "other" site.

Rick

The markets we have identified for the RS500 are as follows:

• Young racing sailors – post Feva / Mirror but outside elite youth squad group >115kg
• Adult racing sailors – club and regatta circuit sailors <145kg
• Young or old – sport / recreational sailing
• Institutions – sport sailing / performance training

The first group mostly aspire to a trapeze boat. Currently they have the choice of 420 and 29er (4000 / Fireball are too big). The 420 is user friendly but expensive and many youngsters would prefer a modern asymmetric boat. The 29er is modern and asymmetric, but only the most talented youngsters are good enough to handle it  (therefore stifling fleet development at club level) and they also have to be light to be competitive. So there is a significant need here for the 500. We’re very close to many of these sailors right now and we’re hearing it directly from them and their parents.

Adult racers - The 500 will suit moderate sized adults as well as the younger sailors, deliberately aimed at transcending the usual age 19 break point. This will be relatively unique. Loss of sailors from the sport at age 19 is known to be a big issue. The 500 will be a boat you can sail at “any” age - that can be used by all the family – that is really easy to handle but loads of fun – that is very reasonably priced. This is another big slot in the market.

Ref the last two groups - recreational sailors and institutions – these two don’t affect the class racing debate, so I’ll not delve into them here.

This just highlights the stupidity of a marketing-driven approach to dinghy design. How on earth can anyone say that pairs of sailors between 18 and 23 stone are not catered for??? For God's sake, 9 stone helms and 14 stone crews are not uncommon in FD world. Anyone want to make a list of suitable boats that have established circuits, freely available entry-level boats and are a lot of fun. Starting with the Fireball, maybe?

Don't let this nonsense influence you, people. The loss of sailors from the sport at 19+ has NOTHING to do with a lack of classes for them to sail.

This stuff may be good for RS growth figures, but does the sport of dinghy sailing nothing but harm

Maybe someone should tell all the teenagers currently sailing the fireball that the boat is to big for them.

The guys who won the silver fleet at the fireball worlds are 18, the guys who won the bronze fleet are both 14 and I can think of several other 14, 15 and 16 year olds currently sailing fireballs without any trouble at all.