gouvernail
Super Opinionated and Always Correct
Let's just suppose the Laser Class.. (That is those of us who pay dues to OUR association which establishes and controls OUR rules of teh game WE decide whether or not to play )
would decide next week to adopt the Intensity sail as the ONLY class legal sail for sanctioned races..
If that were the case, every participant in the Midwinters might have to purchase a new sail?
What would be the impact of this new rule we flung upon ourselves??
First off, Midwinters costs a lot for most of us. In my case, coming from Texas, I cannot accomplish a midwinters trip for under $1000. Some sailors who get hotel rooms, charter boats, bring spouses, and travel on planes spend multiple thousands. Unless the trip is already on the cusp of affordability, a couple hundred bucks one way or another really isn't all that important.
Then there is the expense of sails. Most of those who expect to place in the front half of the fleet breaks out a brand new sail for the event. My guess is 50% of the sailors buy brand new sails for Midwinters.
Do the math...
That 50 % new rags assumption says $300 per sailor will be spent on new sails.
We could team up and supply the entire fleet with BRAND NEW IDENTICAL Intensity sails for only $200 per sailor.
Now you might say, but half the sailors were not going to buy new sails and your proposal forces them to spend money they don't have...
.... odds are a certain percentage of the half who are not buying will not be buying at $600 but would be buying at $200.
You might say... But this forces everybody to spend money just to sail.
....Yes it would. Please note, we all had to spend money to get official Laser equipment in the first place. We understand having to purchase the OFFICIAL Laser.
So...a very small percentage of sailors who attend major regattas will not be purchasing new sails in 2011. Every single one of those who will be purchasing at least one sail would save $400 per sail.
How about this?? We still have time to say, The entry fee for the North American Championships will include $200 ( or perhaps less due to a bulk purchase) for a brand new sail.
As the North Americans is a "break out a new rag or be slow" event, everybody who plans to do well would save $400 and many others who just buy new stuff would save money too.
Bottom line.
If we do this...
Our North American Championships would be a more one design event than it has ever been and we would save at least $100 per competitor.
would decide next week to adopt the Intensity sail as the ONLY class legal sail for sanctioned races..
If that were the case, every participant in the Midwinters might have to purchase a new sail?
What would be the impact of this new rule we flung upon ourselves??
First off, Midwinters costs a lot for most of us. In my case, coming from Texas, I cannot accomplish a midwinters trip for under $1000. Some sailors who get hotel rooms, charter boats, bring spouses, and travel on planes spend multiple thousands. Unless the trip is already on the cusp of affordability, a couple hundred bucks one way or another really isn't all that important.
Then there is the expense of sails. Most of those who expect to place in the front half of the fleet breaks out a brand new sail for the event. My guess is 50% of the sailors buy brand new sails for Midwinters.
Do the math...
That 50 % new rags assumption says $300 per sailor will be spent on new sails.
We could team up and supply the entire fleet with BRAND NEW IDENTICAL Intensity sails for only $200 per sailor.
Now you might say, but half the sailors were not going to buy new sails and your proposal forces them to spend money they don't have...
.... odds are a certain percentage of the half who are not buying will not be buying at $600 but would be buying at $200.
You might say... But this forces everybody to spend money just to sail.
....Yes it would. Please note, we all had to spend money to get official Laser equipment in the first place. We understand having to purchase the OFFICIAL Laser.
So...a very small percentage of sailors who attend major regattas will not be purchasing new sails in 2011. Every single one of those who will be purchasing at least one sail would save $400 per sail.
How about this?? We still have time to say, The entry fee for the North American Championships will include $200 ( or perhaps less due to a bulk purchase) for a brand new sail.
As the North Americans is a "break out a new rag or be slow" event, everybody who plans to do well would save $400 and many others who just buy new stuff would save money too.
Bottom line.
If we do this...
Our North American Championships would be a more one design event than it has ever been and we would save at least $100 per competitor.