Dare I even discuss a new class?

Originally posted by rich96 So - you want a new craft that will compete/beat the Contenders, is light, easy to launch recover etc ? Perhaps start with a lightweight (20kg) hull. retracting daggerboard, approx 3.8m long, dispense with the wiggle stick and use a fixed 'mini rudder', set the rig from a track that slides fore and aft, dispense with those silly wire shrouds, install a flexible joint between the mast base and the track, dispense with those silly toe straps, stand more on it than in it, use your bodyweight to support the rig, cant the rig to windward, use feet and rig movement to steer Give it a suitable name - perhaps after a strong wind - Mistral ?, Tornado ? Cant imagine why you've not tried this ?

Originally posted by Rupert Captain Sparrow's post makes a lot of sense. More power, even within the current rule set, could just give you the nudge you need. If you can get planing at a point where the lasers are still displacement, you'll reduce the wind strength you need to beat them. That then gives on confidence in the boat, and a virtuous circle begins. And developing a new sail, even a new rig, is cheaper than a whole boat! And go visit other 3.7s for some mutual coaching/practice.

I agree and retain this as the current option, I've tried a fixed foil which had an effect but more negative than positive. The problem is that there aren't exactly T foil rudder shops you can just rock up and buy.

Re the sail I cut down a Vortex sail I had left over from the V2 and it does improve the off the start line capability in light airs and earlier trapezing so it is a thing I'm working on, I've asked my local sail builder who is unfortunately rushed off his feet with work in season and following his post I shall ask cap'n jack. We have a facebook page we chat about this stuff on but the problem is there are so few of us and we are all at the furthest points of the country South West, South East, Nosebleed West etc and some of the earlier class stalwarts that could help have had to give up through health issues.

But the big issue remains waterline length and as you suggested earlier, it needs stretching.

It's already like Triggers broom the bits I'm paying to have rebuilt, all in under two years of ownership and it's got to go back this winter for further repairs and upgrades. So sometimes you wonder wether it's good money after bad and better to clear the decks and start over, hence the quandry that started the thread.

Originally posted by Rupert Remembering GRFs comments in the past about how certain boats are impossible to sail (read, you can't just jump in and go) I don't think a low rider is the way to go.

And you'd be right. I once race officered for the Moth Europeans held at Hythe back in 1988 or thereabouts, we had a practice race it was a light force 2-3 maybe early 4 tops. They ended up scattered between Hythe and Seabrooke 2 miles down the coast almost every groin had a moth stranded ashore. Don't think I'll be headed in that direction anytime soon if I were going to I might as well go the whole hog and foil.

Jack's now got me pondering how much more performance I could squeeze out of the 3.7, it is such a joy to sail, just not a great race boat in a handicap fleet where it's difficult to beat bloody Lasers over the water, never mind the spreadsheet, not that that even worrys me that much these days if I've had a great sail and half decent over the water result.

Yes Jack it does look very good.