I have read Tom Whitehurst's description on the new rudder design and wonder why we have a small group of people deciding the fate of class for the rest of us? We sail and race Sunfish because of the way they are.
The Sunfish is a boat that all size people can sail, so far all modifications seem be benefit the smaller sailor while taking away for the larger sailor (Jens, Reefing, etc.) The new rudder will make the boat easier to handle in heavier conditions, again helping the smaller sailor. Part of sailing a Sunfish is being able to overcome the idiosyncrasies of the boat, not changing the boat.
Also, the new rudder is suppose to save on maintenance. Why not just go with composite of the current blade, like the ones that will be used in the upcoming Worlds boats? A composite rudder would fix the splitting, regular refinishing, hole elongating and when the rudder is kicked up, we won't have to worry about water damage to the wood.
Before too long, someone will want to change the Sunfish's lateen rig and we will have upgraded ourselves to a Laser.
The Sunfish is a boat that all size people can sail, so far all modifications seem be benefit the smaller sailor while taking away for the larger sailor (Jens, Reefing, etc.) The new rudder will make the boat easier to handle in heavier conditions, again helping the smaller sailor. Part of sailing a Sunfish is being able to overcome the idiosyncrasies of the boat, not changing the boat.
Also, the new rudder is suppose to save on maintenance. Why not just go with composite of the current blade, like the ones that will be used in the upcoming Worlds boats? A composite rudder would fix the splitting, regular refinishing, hole elongating and when the rudder is kicked up, we won't have to worry about water damage to the wood.
Before too long, someone will want to change the Sunfish's lateen rig and we will have upgraded ourselves to a Laser.