Grafham D-Zero Demo Day

Originally posted by Null Graeme, I wouldn't pay too much attention to the Great Lakes handicap.  To be honest I think they have done the right thing.  There is little (no) data for them to py off, so if they guessed at 1050 and a zero or aero walked an event there would be uproar.  Better play safe then sorry, the right thing to do is just sail your boat.  The py will come out in the was and will be reflected on real life data, but as with any new class you will have to put up with the perils of en py for a while. Motives the numbers of boat that have sold there should be enough data to get an en for the start of the next season. Chill out dude!

They didn't 'guess' at 1050, Dan sailed the Punk off 1050 for three years, he did the FOM off 1050, the same event the Icon sailed off 1020, they are driving the Laser ever slower and of course the Laser is constantly being 'improved'. Try explaining that to folk who don't exactly 'get' the system in the first place.

The whole shoddy sport is riddled with corruption, wether it's clubs protecting classes, event organisers trying to create an environment to sway their numbers, builders using the system for commercial advantage, either way it's individuals like me that are getting screwed and we don't like it. We don't want to have to 'work' a system to get in the results just because others do and that the environment is being created and used for commercial gain. Then even if we try to buy 'fresh' the f**kers are there to ensure your fun is spoilt because you didn't buy into 'their' system.

It's wrong and it's f**king up a previously great sport.

Graeme. Chin up, don't let those persecution demons get to you. It is a great sport, concentrate on the sailing and forget the numbers and paper results. You only need one mate with the same boat and you're in business for some pure boat on boat action. It really is in your and everybody else's own head & hands to choose not to feel like a PY victim.  

Edited by Do Different - 03 Jul 14 at 8:07am

I'm not a victim, nor am I a fool, and I certainly don't like being treated like one by a bunch of dinghy wide boys.

I wouldn't mind, but I gave up a weekend to help a chap in distress, what I witnessed was a keen enthusiast and his wife, working against systematic odds stacked against him. He's afforded a young up and coming designer a chance, he doesn't need to do this any more than I do, to be humping boats in the pissing rain and freezing cold, spending hundreds in transport costs, to find his demo has been railroaded by the Commodores favourite brand, you can't blame those boys either they're just doing their job, wasting their time with a handful of chance passers by. Nevertheless out flagged, out flanked and other than a couple of customers he'd brought along it was a complete waste of time and money.

Don't even start me on all the vested interests that support the status quo and deny any new craft a fair chance, I doubt you'd have to scratch too deep into the surface to find some pathetic link, wether by a sponsored jockey, a bit of a deal with a supplier. I'm also only too aware of the dubious ministrations at the heart of the RYA, you forget commercial vested interest there screwed our sport back in the nineties and all I see is another sport I love been f**ked over by the same forces.

Existing classes also have commercial suppliers, jockeys on deals and journo's probably in on the act.

Victim? We're all victims.

Graeme I wouldn't be so concerned, I have faith it'll settle in the right place, especially if plenty of people sail them at breezy sea venues, ie the number isn't cooked by being sailed predominantly in the lighter shorter course inland stuff where this boat will alway punch above its PY weight.
What I don't see is a front page article about the upcoming demo day at hythe, champagne forecast for sea sailing! That'd be a good outlet for your enthusiasm, given you are sailing sec right?
Dan

Graeme in a Phantom......he is a little short and light you do know that...still could be good watching him try to launch through the famous Hythe shore dump.....