Video of the week

I don't think it's as simple as that.

I seem to remember that when we asked, there were a number of hoops to jump through, and I think we had to have a minimum of 30 boats in the UK to start with (which kinda put a stop to it).

Please correct me if that's not the case.

I dont think RYA support is the issue your making it out to be. Ok it costs more for a non RYA affiliated class to show off at Ally Pally, but if your reliant on a single show to get your class going then your doing something wrong.

A fair few classes in recent years have dropped their affiliation, preferring to spend the money on other priorities and administer their class themselves with great success.

The success of the 12ft in the UK will be determined by a) demand and b) sales & marketing. If the class cant market the boat successfully then even if there are people looking for a stupidly over canvassed, twin trapeze boat thats only 12ft long, they wont know where to get hold of one and so they will compromise and buy into an alternative class that is well marketed. Succesful marketing will rely on demonstrations, easy access to information, and the advertising (best to have a few well known household name dinghy stars win a few of the big events in one). At the moment I dont really see this happening, the class is simply trying to copy a model used in NZ where they already have people bought into the idea. The bit thats been missed here is that people arnt yet bought in!

Originally posted by craiggo Ok it costs more for a non RYA affiliated class to show off at Ally Pally, but if your reliant on a single show to get your class going then your doing something wrong.

There is only really a single show in the UK, or had that escaped you?

I think Bob's point is valid: the show would be better with the 12s there, just because they're the sort of boat a lot of people like to look at and talk about.

I don't suppose the 12 Association have the slightest attention of attempting to outsell the Laser or whatever: it would rather miss the point of the boat.

The exorbitant (if you're a small class without commercial backing) fees for Sailboat to make life very difficult. As I expect I've said before there's an interesting contrast to be made. My partner's hobby is dogs. Every year the Kennel Club runs two events called Discover Dogs, which are very much like sailboat: exhibitions with all the breeds represented. But the difference is if you show your breed at Discover Dogs you get free stand space, free stand, meal tickets for the exhibitors etc etc...

omg!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_ExqQ80T5g

crew was lucky not to get trapped by the
kicker