A half decent showcase of all that is modern and progressive about sailing, no idea if we have a big enough population for it, but it could at least offer an aspirational handicap circuit for all these pro jocks and semi pro ringers to show what modern boats are capable of rather than have them shoring up old dross.

It could also provide somewhere to go if you've failed to line the appropriate pockets to get on the international class approval list, so small builders could benefit.

They might also leave the genuine lovers of everything that is tired old and has been to stay that way.

Just a thought.

But in the season eh? Make it at least halfway attractive to humans, rather than aliens from the planet grim.

 

All a bit subjective really...

 

EDIT - Gordon beat me to it!

 

EDIT 2 - GRF - you seem to think that there are significant problems with some new classes too (eg your views on the 500) so are you just talking about an event where you choose the boats you like the look of?

The idea being the goal of a modern boat that sails well in all conditions and suits all types of course, rather than the current trend of designing the course and the event to suit b**tardised designs that don't work.

Put up some half decent prize money like we did for speed week and have different divisions, single hander, twin etc..

So no if it's an old minger mutton trying to be lamb, do one, there's plenty for them already.

No it wouldn't they'd have to launch something new, oh let me think, like a Blaze with a kite.

All that talent from the Sailjuice Series is wasted, they should run a summer series say two on res's and three on estuaries .

As I see it, Boats like the Alto, Aura, D1, Icon, Rs100,500, and anything else modern gets to enter and new stuff encouraged, with  young guys getting some credibility in winning it, with a manufacturers prize, a la F1.

All off the same start line, maybe split between two and single sails.

21st Century Sailing Association.

Join here.

 

Re-the regatta, the laser was launched in 1971 and would therefore be out...but what about the 8.1 (2007).  Thinking along the same lines, how about boats that had new [GRP] hulls launched post 2000?

New Designs it says.

That does not mean tarted up Pigs.

I'm trying to come up with an idea that will drag your sorry screaming luddite backsides into the 21st century, thereby endowing your youth with light and hope for a better future, instead of forcing them into their grandads coffins.

The criterion should be designed and built since 2000.

I.E it's a 21st century design.

A modern sailboat. Not an old tub made nearly modern.

Yes sadly it would be short on numbers, which is exactly what we're all concerned about and goes some way to explaining why.

So give folk some aspirations and see where it takes us, what have we got to lose? There are plenty of events for the old dross, this could take us in a new direction with a bit of vim and vigour and less whinging.

 

So lets make a list then. Alto, Aura, BlazeX, D1, Icon, Punk, RS100,500,900, Rebel, V3000, X1

That's a dozen boats, there must be more, sad really that the sport can only field a dozen examples of modern thinking yet if it ran an even for 1960's or 70's designs it would be 100's.

 

Prize funds are evil

They'd soon change their ride if there were ten grand up for 1st prize and generous fringe benefits from the sponsor..

Good idea but one big flaw. Although these are new designs, surely to qualify they must have some aspect of new innovations within the design. Even Mr Lyons in another thread said the Icon has been built from drawing from previous designs and pooling of experience from the past. Surely this is the same for the RS500, RS100, BlazeX and so on. Which part of these designs are innovative and new to dinghy sailing and thus prgressive? If the answer is nothing then you just have a race of recently designed boats rather than a 21^st Century Spaceage race to challenge existing ideas and be progressive (which I think is what you were after to start with).

 

 

Originally posted by G.R.F. it had a new name, it wasn't until later I realised what had happened, so technically, new name , new builder, bigger foils, bigger sails...

So if I put a 600 sail and Laser foils on my 300 and rebrand as DS 300600  (Dics Special 300600) would I qualify? Just changing componants does not seem to be very inovative or progressive - more pot shot.

Laser Vago?

I've only every won handicap races in our old Vago...

pretty sure Clive Everest tried that a few years ago and it didn't go as well as hoped...

(though it wasn't laser foils, he had it on moth foils. the moment i went past in my non-foiling 300 i knew it wouldn't be a great commercial success)

would it be easier and cheaper to just give a GRF a trophy? 

none of them, they are all bandits and mostly made of wood, so in GRF's eyes, the devils work and all should be burned at the stake...

What's worse one came past me on Sunday, flying a spinnaker on an upwind leg this in itself is proof of witchcraft, so both the boat and crew deserve the stake surrounded by faggots with me nearby with a zippo.

do you need gravy too with that, or won't that burn with a zippo?