One last comment,
I think you might have missed my point, or maybe just chosen to step around it. That's fine. I was being facetious when I suggested hiking boards, and I'm not advocating a macho attitude should rule the Laser Class. What I am saying is that if you want to talk about the 'Great Success' of the Laser and it's higher participation rates, you have to look at what happened and who was involved. It didn't happen as a junior's or master's boat, and it wasn't a women's alternative for a big boat. It was what it was and nothing more, like you said, for young, fit, males racing against one-another. The Lasers success is based on it's simple, well sailing design and aggressive nature.
I don't think rule changes to equipment (that will cost everyone a couple hundred dollars) is going to do anything positive to improve participation. In addition to a new sail and new top spar (minimum req'ts for any older boat), a cash strapped junior sailor will think she/he needs $200 dollars worth of Harken gear to race. Talk about giving them a good reason to stay in an Opti or ride the rail of the local PHRF racer. Can you specifically tell me how this gear is going to get more boats on the starting line? Give me specifics, has anyone done any marketing research? Anyone make a good effort to talk to a large number of owners with boats that haven't been out in a few years? Did they say, "Well, if the cunningham was rigged with Harken Blocks I'd race more..." I seriously doubt it. If we want higher participation rates, raising the cost to compete is NOT the answer.
Here in the North West, we've had a very strange rise in a new fleet. Lido 14's are now the second largest fleet of boats racing on the waters of Oregon and Washington. Five years ago, there were few, if any Lidos up here. Local clubs got together and mass purchased old (under $1000) boats from SoCal. Lottery tickets were sold, and a drawing was held to determine selection order. Anyway, they are racing Lidos everywhere up here now (except Seattle, oddly) and are attracting more annually. What's the secret? Cheap, competitive, one-design boats to sail. They are not very fun to sail, and not much of a challenge, but the racing is very close and inexpensive. How does this apply to Lasers and rule changes? Think about it.
I'm very sorry you don't like the Sunfish or Europe. They are great boats. The Sunfish is arguable the Lasers equal in many one-design ways. I'm way too big to be competitive in a Sunfish, but I like the boat, it does what it was intended to do very well. And the Europe, a very cool boat, has all the lines and goodies you desire to add to the Laser. I sailed a friends last summer on a 15 knot day, and they are a real gas! Very fast!
None of these classes even closely approach the past or current success of the Laser. It's success as a junior trainer and women's boat is because of it's popularity as the largest one-design. That popularity was earned on the race course in the 1970's and into the '80's. If we continue to dilute it's pure and unique nature, it will be no different than any other class....vanilla. Then we will really be fighting for identity and new members. No offence to Vanguard (I've owned a 470, CFJ, and Finn they built & all were excellent boats), but changing the boat so the manufacturer can make more money in the wrong reason. If the boat will not stand on it's own merits, something will replace it. Again, I doubt this will happen. Anyone racing O.K. Dinghy's anywhere, anymore?
With the new gear, we will effectively have to types of boats, 'Classical Lasers' and 'Vanguard Lasers'. Believe me, if the participation numbers swell, I'll eat my words publicly. If not, will you?
Humbly Submitted,
Chuck Queen
#134961
Old Dog, Old tricks....
P.S. Oh, and for the record the VW analogy is a weak one. The reason they quit importing VW Bugs wasn't due to lacking sales and competition from Toyota. The actual straw that "Broke-the-bugs-back" so to speak, was due to the exorbitant cost of improving it enough to pass the 5mph crash test. In Mexico and South America, the old model remained in production, and popular for years. Check your old Road & Tracks.
-----------------------------
Website for all answers: www.laser.org
Public Replies: laser@laser.org
To Unsubscribe: Send "unsubscribe laser" to majordomo@laser.org
Sending "remove" does not work
Questions: will@laser.org
