Your feedback

From Phil Laycock
The Finn still the ultimate single-hander? As Bob Fisher said, if there were only one Olympic class it should be the Finn. Technically and physically there is no finer boat to sail which is why some many of the world's top sailors have raced Finns. With the new stiffer carbon rigs and the technological developments in sails the boat is becoming quicker and more difficult to sail well, consistently. Getting up to speed in a Finn, for the average club sailor can take a couple of years, during this time the learning curve is steep and a lot of fun. The Finn is the Ultimate Single-hander!

From Gavin Sharp
What would you do differently? Under no circumstances introduce a weight limit for the crew. In the article the point was raised that the one of the markets was for the older dinghy sailor. Older sailors by a fact of biology tend to be a little heavier than their younger counterparts, therefore a minimum weight may exclude one of the very markets they are trying to sell to. The potential for a modern 3 person keel boat is large however to exclude any potential group is merely reducing sales. Over time an optimised weight will undoubtedly be found but this should not exclude others from enjoying sailing such a boat. Finally The Laser Centre are not experienced in the keel boat market and one of the greatest differences they must understand is that crews can regularity change making this process more complex with a weight limit could also discourage potential sales.

From Helen Marsh
RE feedback about Fairer than Endeavour from Ian Renilson: Having competed at both the Endeavour and the Silver Salver I felt I could add a few comments. The Silver Salver is UK champion of champions handicap race, run by Draycote Sailing Club in a pursuit race format, for the top two winners in each class plus two local club boat entries. Some people may well see this style of handicap racing as unfair if the conditions are not 'right' for their boat and have personally experienced this sailing a cherub on numerous occassions.

Luckily I also competed at the Endeavour Trophy one year, but have found that event also potentially quite unfair as well. Having won a championship crewing in 1995 I wasn't asked to sail with my helm at the Endeavour because the event was in RS400's and I was apparently too small for him to sail with competitively. Thankfully I had a second chance to go to the event and unlike him decided to sail with my normal crew that I sailed with in that class as I felt we as a partnership should be there (In a two man boat its not only the helm that wins the races!). We were 19 stone all up and unfortunately over force 2/3 were totally uncompetitive. We found it just not possible to alter the rig settings enough to set a boat up for 18 stone when it was designed to carry about 24/25 (which I believe the 400 is).

I feel that Ian is a little narrow minded when he says that class racing is the only thing that matters; both style events have their merits and are enjoyed by anyone who competes in either but for different reasons. I personally enjoyed both events for different reasons. I enjoyed the Endeavour for the way it was run, very efficiently, over a weekend and was very intense racing; but I knew I'd never have a chance of winning. Having to borrow a boat, because I wasn't connected to the industry or the chosen class, meant that I didn't have a top flight boat and even a 'little time working on the boat' wouldn't have made it possible for me to win (it was in fact lent by a generous member of the sailing club near to me who, though he didn't know me, was trusting enough to lend his pride and joy).

Conversely I enjoyed the Silver Salver because it was a one day event and many more classes were represented than at the Endeavour as it was more accessible due to people being able to use their own boats. I knew the equipment I was sailing with was able to compete to the highest level as it was our own and had been tried, tested & set up over a long period of time which made the racing far more enjoyable. Every year I went for 6 years I always started the day believing we had a chance to win. In summary I think Ian is being a little dismissive of the different styles of event and at the end of the day I'm sure we all have much more important things to argue about than which is better. Any winner of both events is a worthy winner, though it may be for different reasons, and as long as all parties who compete enjoy the experience then surely thats the most important thing as for the majority of us its our hobby after all.

.................................................................................

Anyone can join in with our From the Feedback features, all you have to do is click on the blue question link at the bottom of each article, or hit the My Feedback button at the top of every page.

Each contribution may be subjected to a rigorous process of editing for language, taste and imparted wisdom. The opinions expressed in From the Feedback do not necessarily reflect those of the management, staff or investors of madfor sport.com. Instead, and much more importantly, they reflect your views.

Editor's plea. If you write to us and you want to see your thoughts in print, then please include your full name and where you come from on your e-mail. Anonymous contributions will not be published.