Cavi
Member
Again, I will rephrase, Other than Greed from PSA and LP I do not see why ............
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I still don't see it, if you make the size and panel shape regulation and the weight of the Dacron, then they should all be about the same, some may be sown better, but that would only go to longevity.
That knife cuts both ways. People see someone else winning with X piece of equipment that is much more expensive and assume that is the reason. That's why you have $2000 blades for Optimists.I still don't see it, if you make the size and panel shape regulation and the weight of the Dacron, then they should all be about the same, some may be sown better, but that would only go to longevity.
The difficulty with multiple gear manufacturers is that whilst as Cavi says it "makes no difference", so often when people are less successful than they would like, they look for a cause - and blaming different gear is far easier than identifying the real problem (i.e. their own performance). So rather than look to do more training, study tactics, analysing where they went wrong, etc. they decide they need the same brand sails/hull/foils/whatever as a boat higher up the results, often ignoring the old beaten-up boat with the yellowed patched 20 year old sails that actually won the race.
Ian
The point is Old Dude that having a free sail maker will open up an arms race where each sail maker will work to produce a sail that still measures but that they will claim is better than any others.
There are a lot of classes over here in the UK where open sailmakers are allowed and whilst all the sails measure there can be several different cuts and styles that suit different sailors. This is not how the Laser class is.
I agree that for far too long the builders have had things their own way which is why the class now has such a huge issue with replica equipment being in the system (and some of it clearly being counterfeit as you cannot tell it from the genuine article).
What the class can do about this is limited. remember the class is only part of the story. The rights holder and the builders hold most of the cards, the class is a bit of a puppet in some respects. The new sail has been ready for release a long time now but because all parties can't (or won't) agree it will simply stay there gathering dust. It is the same with the new top section, this is pretty much there but we are unlikely to see it until the mess between BKI and LP is sorted.
This situation is allowing other new and established national classes to gain a foothold in what has traditionally been Laser territory. A lot of UK clubs that I know of have (rapidly) diminishing Laser fleets in favour of other national classes (the Solo) and new classes (the Devoti D-Zero and RS Aero range).
People are starting to vote with their feet (and their wallets) and that can only damage the class further in the long run.
Agree with alot of what Jeffers and other are saying. All the class issues including the law suit and sails could/should/will damage the class but one ray of light. Look at the class sign up ratios for Barts Bash http://www.bartsbash.co.uk/. 176 lasers full rigs, 56 radials and 14 4.7's. No other class gets close.
One sad fact. No laser's signed up from United States for Barts Bash! Is the "sail issue" more of a issue in one part of the world like the US then in others?
I'd like to sail in that, but I don't think my hull would fit in the overhead bin on the plane.
Realistically, sailing is just dying over here (seems to be healthier in the UK from what I have read). Twenty years ago, CORK in Canada used to have registration numbers like that. In recent years, the numbers look to be way down.
As far as the sail issue, I don't think people are leaving the class just because of that. Just part of the overall decline in interest in sailing, though the sail issue certainly doesn't help.
Jeffers is right, you could get a event running on your side of the pond. Agree, don't think any airline would allow a laser as carry on. If no club taking part near you, come to UK. Am sure the UK sailors on this forum could get you a boat to borrow and bed for the night.I'd like to sail in that, but I don't think my hull would fit in the overhead bin on the plane.
Jeffers is right, you could get a event running on your side of the pond. Agree, don't think any airline would allow a laser as carry on. If no club taking part near you, come to UK. Am sure the UK sailors on this forum could get you a boat to borrow and bed for the night.
Just by looking at the pictures, I think it's the same thing. The Radial sail (with the capital R!) "radiates" only from its clew.Is this Bi-Radial 4.5 oz similar to the ILCA prototype? Wasn't that more like the Laser Radial sail?
I wouldn't touch one (even if I did still have a Laser).
LP are bang out of order making this move, all they are trying to do is force the hand of the other parties.
How is LP forcing the hand of the other parties?
I just think that a year or so from now, when the dust will have settled around the legal issue(s), this new 'practice' sail will be considered a big (commercial) mistake.
I certainly won't buy one...
Good idea but it won't happen.
ISAF has ruled on the issue and that will be the end of the story for more than a year, I am afraid.
Fine, you can, I can't so despite my exceptionally strong objections to 3rd party gear, looks like this delay will be pushing me down that route ... to join the group of people no longer sailing Lasers.... But as I already said, I can wait.