Foiling for the masses

Originally posted by Merlinboy Originally posted by tgruitt Originally posted by Merlinboy Originally posted by The Moo I would suggest £15k is not for the masses OK then, how much is a new Merlin, N12, Phantom, Moth, carbon foiling 6, 505, Fireball once you actually kit it out.  I could have said £10k plus your bits (how most dinghies are sold) we are talking a high end product.  Perhaps the masses was the wrong term because that would mean Laser sailors or a like.   I guess what i am trying to get at is that even if a foiler was available for everyone, i am not sure it would be that popular.  Not just yet anyway.  As i understand it the development within Moths is at a stage where an 85kg bloke can compete with the rest. I think the latest fully tricked N12 on the water won't leave you much change out of 11k and I have heard of Merlins pushing nearly 20k...... According to P&B order form when you add the bits and the vat its just over £13k for a DCB, so is £15k miles out for a new foiler?

Oops sorry I didn't see that it was not inc. VAT!

do the masses really want foiling or just think they want foiling? do they actually know or understand the issues? not many clubs would be able to handle a foiler, you need huge amounts of space, the speeds and distances are insane.

Originally posted by turnturtle Originally posted by Merlinboy ... so is £15k miles out for a new foiler? erm yes, if you want to sell it in 'reasonable' numbers and compete against Phantoms, RS100s, Devoti-Ones, Blazes etc

James you are kind of missing my point fella.  I actually don't think there is a demand for a foiler of this type.  For several reason mentioned by all of the above:

Surely it would be pretty easy to scale a Moth up to 13 or 14 feet, put a bigger rig on it, strengthen everything and then send it out with a lardarse on board? If you want a class that can develop, make it as simple as the Moth rules, get out there and build some. Can't see any point in making something as innovative as you want this into a one design, really.
So the rules would be:
Max length
Max width
Max sail area
Max luff length

and get on with it. Find 6 people willing to give it a go, get out there and sail them, and others will either want to join in or not. If you can't even find 6 people, then the idea is dead.

Perhaps a way forward would be a new 'box rule' development class?

Once upon a time, the RYA National Classes mattered. Time for a new one?
This niche of sailing is not mature enough for a SMOD.