Farr 3.7

Originally posted by jeffers And that is why it will not work. I, for one, like the diversity we have in the UK. there are choices if you want to fleet race and choices if you want to sail a boat you like sailing. To have a class dictated to me by the RYA or other would turn me away from sailing in an instant.

Originally posted by Do Different This argument is the same old, same old thing going round and round and it will for evermore because for as many people who see sailing (and racing) as a sport at least as many if not more see it as a pastime with a competitive edge. Most people signing up to a sport pretty much willing accept tight rules and equipment regulations. A pastime / engrossing hobby is a completely different thing.

Actually pretty much every sport has a bunch of people telling you what equipment you can or cannot use. Try turning up with non approved tennis racket, cricket bat, golf ball, golf club, javelin etc etc and see what happens... even in lawnmower racing there's a host of regulations about what you can and cannot use...

And just look at Cycling, still riding diamond frames which originated in the 1880s and real development stopped by the old cycling bufffers.

Been reading John McEnroe's autobiography. His opinion is that the game of tennis would be much better off at pro level with wooden rackets, as the modern ones give too much emphasis to power. Same with baseball. Aparrantly, you at to the major league, you can only use a wooden bat, because it is harder to use. Javelins were made less aerodynamic so they flew less far. We seem to have this conversation a lot. As far as I can see, sailing isn't like the javelin, it is like all field sports, where there is something for everyone. What is odd is that we handicap javelin, discus, hammer and shot, in effect.