New Rule 87

To me this is counter-intuitive. I design mechanical parts (mouldings, castings, pressings etc) which we used to only have made at a single Polish sub-contractor who obviously got all the volume. When we started assembly in China and Mexico, the prices got keener everywhere despite the lower volume at each location.

That's competition for you, with a single source there isn't any incentive for the manufacturer to find a cheaper source of materials or to incorporate improved techniques to get cost out and you just keep paying the same price forever (and accept manufacturers cost inreases) as there is nothing to benchmark against.

James,

Why do you feel a need to write a S.I. to do this ?  Can;'t you just rely on the long established practice in club racing that you do not protest out beginners for infringements to measurement rules (or other minor rule infringements).  You could also extend this to have a gentlemens agreement among the more experienced sailors to use your practice sails for normal club racing.  After all these rules can only be enforced by taking someone to a protest.

Writing this down for everyone to see could well mean that Class Associations may start thinking of actions they can take to get their equipment rules applied.  The obvious action I can think of is removing any Class Association events from your club.  Do you really want to spark off a war between clubs and class associations ?

If the members of this forum really feel strongly about this issue isn't it time they went along to their class AGM with some rule change proposals.  I am sure many class associations would appreciate an opportunity to properly debate these issues with club sailors.

Mike

Not sure there Paul, my mate recently turned up at the final wessex laser travellers event of the year in an old boat with a sail that was 15 years old, it was magnolia in colour (the sail) batten flutter galore and tbh i wouldnt blow my nose with it.  He smoked the first race and came second overall, the standard of the fleet was apparantly high.  (i came mid fleet, which i was chuffeed about as i had only just stepped back into a laser after a 12 year break)  Now you could argue that if he had a new sail and boat he would of won, and you would probably be right.  But it just shows that its the nut on the tiller and not always the gear. 

For the record i'm for club racing with replica sails as i agree that the laser sail is over priced, if it were me i would buy a new laser sail for open events and use a replica or old sail for club racing/training.  You should get a good life 2years plus out of  a laser that way.

But I would rather have the choice of a range of sailmakers and/or quality than a single high-cost source of indifferent (or arguably worse) inconsistent quality.

But the templates will have some tolerance in them due to wear (even if they are electronic there is machine wear) so it then becomes a lottery if you get a good one.