dyzzypyxxy
Member
Folks, sorry to dredge this subject up again, but in my experience, rule changes that benefit the builders' bottom line get through to a vote by the members, and those that don't seem to disappear.
Reason I know this is because there WAS a sail designed and a prototype tested by me, Fred and Eric Faust among others some time around 1999 - 2000. Can't remember. Anyway, it had (surprise, surprise!) bigger reinforcing patches, better batten pockets, a redesigned sleeve and was modified slightly to account for the mast joint - all specifically aimed at improving the competitive life of the sail.
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.
If you went to every sailmaker, and said "design us the most durable, best sail you can using 3.8oz dacron and our bendy, wierd 2-piece aluminum mast" a lot of those guys would smile and shrug and walk away.
What the Class needs is a new rule limiting the number of sails each sailor may purchase. Many OD classes have this, specifically to keep the playing field level for those who can't afford to buy new sails for every regatta. Isn't this what the Laser Class is all about?
Anyway, I just wanted to suggest this as an alternate idea, make my point about the limitations of the cloth, and REMIND YOU that you need to keep this subject alive, and keep after your Exec to move it through to a vote. Then VOTE FOR IT!
Reason I know this is because there WAS a sail designed and a prototype tested by me, Fred and Eric Faust among others some time around 1999 - 2000. Can't remember. Anyway, it had (surprise, surprise!) bigger reinforcing patches, better batten pockets, a redesigned sleeve and was modified slightly to account for the mast joint - all specifically aimed at improving the competitive life of the sail.
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.
If you went to every sailmaker, and said "design us the most durable, best sail you can using 3.8oz dacron and our bendy, wierd 2-piece aluminum mast" a lot of those guys would smile and shrug and walk away.
What the Class needs is a new rule limiting the number of sails each sailor may purchase. Many OD classes have this, specifically to keep the playing field level for those who can't afford to buy new sails for every regatta. Isn't this what the Laser Class is all about?
Anyway, I just wanted to suggest this as an alternate idea, make my point about the limitations of the cloth, and REMIND YOU that you need to keep this subject alive, and keep after your Exec to move it through to a vote. Then VOTE FOR IT!