4000 Facelift by Rooster

Originally posted by yellowwelly just a suggestion, but maybe because anything much quicker than a 29er doesn't really suit inland sailing at smaller locations... not unless you have a penchant for certain classes and sailing styles therefore you are willing to accept certain compromises to sail what you want.

There is a lot more to life than inland sailing on small waters.

Originally posted by Blue One Originally posted by RS400atC Originally posted by yellowwelly just a suggestion, but maybe because anything much quicker than a 29er doesn't really suit inland sailing at smaller locations... not unless you have a penchant for certain classes and sailing styles therefore you are willing to accept certain compromises to sail what you want. There is a lot more to life than inland sailing on small waters. That's so true. The problem is more people sail dinghies on small waters than anywhere else.

Edited by yellowwelly - 23 Jan 14 at 2:02pm

The truth is that around here, even if I wanted to, most of the clubs I could join wouldn't accept the Laser 4000 due to PY boundaries preventing it.  Or there are other weird and wonderful safety rules- South Cerney for example has a 'no racks' policy (except for the Blaze which has dispensation I believe).  

Edited by yellowwelly - 23 Jan 14 at 2:59pm

Originally posted by Rupert That Barnt Green Assy handicap band might not be such a bad idea, so long as people buy into it - I'm sure the boats get better racing than if you had a 49er at one end and a Feva at the other.

Club racing used to be the starting point for a lot of 'occasional sailors' who first got into the sport by being 'encouraged' into the Ents, Fireflys, N12 or whatever by their sailing friends, neibours, partners or parents.

These relatively simple 2-sail boats could be sailed, raced and enjoyed by these informal 'newbies' as long as the owner (helm) was reasonable.  They would be lent a lifejacket etc and off they would go ... very informal by todays  standards.  If they liked it the sport had another active member whether they were kids or adults - because the boats were simple and accessible.  The nearest of the current batch to allow newbies in easily enough might be the RS200 ... but I am biased of course and still believe there is a lot of mileage in 2 sails so I'd naturally promote Icon of course as a modern 2 sail as well as the traditional 2 sail classes.   They all allow you to throw a (nearly) novice crew into the front !   ;-)

The 90's boom  stressed speed (which is always fun all other things being equal) but boats became more and more technical and complex, often requiring different or 'better' locations as well - in other words like boards they became quickly more specialised.   That was great for the exisitng community perhaps but the 'informal' route into the sport simply got reduced cos the kit became not as 'crew newbie' friendly.   You could just not grab somebody out of the clubhouse or dinghy park if you were short of crew in your Iso, 4000 or whatever, they had to be relatively experinced already as well ....  and so there must have been  quite a few possible converts who have been lost to the sport.

Steve will I'm sure sort the 4000 out both quickly and well in my opinion .. and critically there is a large pool of equipment out there and it will not require too many changes  to revive this particular class in my opinion.  Low cost entry to a performance class is very very attractive to many on a tight budget... it will need a bit of money, and a bit of time but the basic core product is already there in real numbers. 

It does not directly address the newbie issue - that first club racing experience for some who might not otherwise catch the bug but it might prove very attractive for those who then want to pursue the performance route later.  

Remember there have always been crew shortages - this still applies whether the boat is 2 or 3 sail - so whatever class is involved keep it simple and manageable, accesible .. and fun.  I owned a couple of Iso's in the distant past but think the 4000 was always a better looking boat and with more potential to revive now.  ... Good luck Steve !

Mike L.