Top sailors are also going to fly to Europe, Australia and the Worlds each year, where they will sail chartered boats. Presumably if a one-sail-per-year rule was in effect, they would charter the sail that goes with the boat, too.
Tracy, what cloth did Hyde use for their prototype? Is it something with similar characteristics to the 3.8 oz. ?
I do strongly approve of any effort to make a better, more durable Laser sail provided it doesn't necessitate a new mast, or other major changes. If Hyde used different cloth, it's going to take some long-term testing to be sure of this, right?
As far as limiting the number of sails, that would be practical in a smaller class where with one or two major events a year. However the Laser class, ignoring even Olympics-oriented events, has several major events per month all over the world. I think trying to track, manage, and enforce a limit on the number of sails purchased would be a logistical nightmare for the class.
To me it's kind of like the mandatory US Sailing measurement issue. It's hard enough to find volunteers to run the class and regattas. This would just be one more added burden.
As far as the major events all over the world, the use of charter boats with a chartered sail to go with them solves this question.
At our club, we get the Scots and Melges owners (the two classes I sail now, both of which have sail purchase limits) together and agree to use our old sails for local events. A guy in our club who bought a new Melges actually went out and bought two used sets of sails so that he could race with us on Friday nights.
as a parent purchasing 500$ sails so my kid can race a 4.7 in a class legal event, is way over the top.
I just left a post under the sailing section regarding sails for junior sailors, as a parent purchasing 500$ sails so my kid can race a 4.7 in a class legal event, is way over the top. The price on a "club" sail is reasonable and though I can't get my son in class events with it, is great for getting him sailing and doing some limited racing in club events. So I will continue to buy 0 class legal sails at that price. I own at least 6 used legal full sails most of which are way past their prime but until my kid gains 60 lbs I can't send him out to race with those, (though he is a good swimmer and can right the boat single handed even with the full sail). If the "builders", as we refer to them, want to help us bring kids into the class the price of the 4.7 sail and mast section should really be looked at. IF the club sails can be sold at a profit for what they sell for then we know the builder's are making a killing on the class legal sails, they are entitled to some of that to maintain standards, but they should consider the effect on recruiting new juniors into the class. Clubs and districts should also look at programs to bring radial sails down to new sailor's as well.
A fully battended main would significantly reduce wear and hold its shape better but I would think that there may be issues with the mast. what about just somethign as simple as what Rooster has done with the 8.1 - A mylar leech is apparently suppose to reduce wear where it will start to flutter. Now I have never seen one of these sails other than pictures so I dont know whetehr this works or not but if it will get us through a full season of high performance racing or two seasons of club racing then it has bound to have advantages to everyone, not just the sail manufacturers and the laser brand.
my 0.02c
Many sailors don't think the sail is competitive after more than a few regattas. They buy two or three sails per year - IF they can afford it. This gives them an advantage over the guy who CAN'T afford it.
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A point that was missed in the last thread about this is - the 3.8 oz. dacron we are stuck with using for Laser sails (because using a better, stronger, more modern sailcloth would necessitate a whole new mast, among other changes) is going to determine the competitive life of Laser sails no matter how they are cut or reinforced.
---snip---
As for Tony in Oz, you are already doing exactly what I envision people would do if there were a limit on sail purchases. You're satisfied with your sail's performance over the year's use, but some sailors are not.
I'd suggest you walk the boat park at the end of the first day of racing at the next regatta you attend. Talk to the guys who finished top ten in the fleet, and ask how many sails they buy each year. Betcha it's a bigger percentage than you thought - especially amongst Masters sailors (who can afford to buy performance when they don't have time to get it by fitness and practice).
In conclusion, let's not go someplace where we have no good reason going.