Here we go again
Constant (expensive) development of yacht classes
When the DN sandyacht arrived on the scene it became very popular and many of the DN events
rivalled the European Championships. Eventually the yacht was fitted with a wing mast and became
Class 3; and the ordinary masted DN died out mainly because the wooden wing mast was much
harder to make and also a new sail shape was needed. When the DN faded away I toyed with the
Class 3s with some success, but they started to become very expensive and were constantly
developing.
Class 5 (initially starting as Class 4 Windskates and Mantas) started a new inexpensive entry level
to the sport, but the regulations left too many loop holes ? we all know these ? expensive, hard to
make 26inch wheels and, at first, problems with tyres that did not last long (prior to the development
of the stronger mountain bike tyres). The next expensive move was to be the carbon Kevlar epoxy
resin seats that cost as much as the rest of the yacht.
Get the picture? The yachts became expensive and sometimes fragile and we can see that this
class is now about to disappear.
Enter the mini yacht, a cheap fun yacht and an entry level to the sport. Manufactures such as
Blokart and X-sail et al were already sailing in their own events and class associations and we in
the sport thought it would be advantageous to invites them to join the FISLY association - but this is
where we are about to make a mistake ? not by inviting them to join us; that was a good idea! The
problem is that the specification for the yachts to be raced, i.e. to fit within a 5.6 metre loop of rope
for the yacht wheelbase and width, a tubular mast and wheelbarrow sized wheels.
This specification is too open. What about the depth of the sail pocket? What about banning
camber inducers in the sail or Standart type stiffeners? What about banning carbon Kevlar epoxy
seats and titanium chassis; get the message, you will get (and are already getting) expensive mini
class 5s and you are about to lose the people you need ? the people who want to build their own
yachts and others like the Blokart pilots etc. How many times are they going to race with us when
they are being lapped by the high tech yachts that we are promoting. It may already be too late;
I hope not! Words of experience from Ian Dibdin K8