Nationals attendance.

The sails are made by Banks, not Norths, but otherwise Tick is fairly close. There has been a period of change in the class, but we now have 2 sails available to buy, one dacron, one mylar, both now radial cut. Of course, there are a lot of cross cut dacron mains out there, so the 3 sails will be racing against each other for some time to come. Masts have changed simply because of trying to find a decent supplier. However, it has now stabilized, with 1 manufacturer producing a choice of 2 top masts, one a little stiffer than the other, to go on one standard bottom mast. This should increase the weight variation competitive helm, without creating a "gear war". The overlap between the masts weight wise is pretty large, so it is only really the top and bottom ends of the spectrum who will notice much difference.

However, this is all a little off subject - that of increasing Nats attendance. Membership of the Lightning CA has grown by about 25% this year, so I think that will start to show in attendance.

The other problem, which I'm sure we share, is that the Nats is on neutral ground. Our bigger opens may have 8 or 10 home boats sailing, many of whom don't travel. We are missing that boost at the Nats.

Yes of course Rupert. When the Nationals were held twice at West Oxford (the spiritual home of the class) turnout was very good and boosted by local boats. Are there any Lightnings at Northampton? Perhaps a Cookham Nationals might hit the magic 30? Hummmmm....

Originally posted by iitick ]GRF seems obsessed with beating Lasers on the water.

Simply because that's what the competition is, I struggle enough to do it in the EPS in confined water the Laser is quicker out of transitions and since my man bought a new sail he has me upwind at times, Offwind generally if I remember to let go the kicker thing I'm quicker. On the sea if I sail properly and hard I'll pull away, but I'll almost never win on handicap and, I've never ever won a race on that lake even when I get extraordinarily lucky with puffs and am back on the bank with minutes to spare.. It actually didn't bother me at all until they started putting names in the local paper which then winds you right up, especially if someone who one might regard as a complete and total muppet destroys all those years of newspaper glory and personal vanity chiselling away in a Streaker, you've got to have a pretty thick hide not to let that one bother you..

Edited by iGRF - 20 Sep 13 at 1:06pm

+1 Very true .... But he'll never learn .... And do we want him to

Lets put this into perspective. We will use young Fuller as an example.