Whoa Whoa whoa, one thing you forget to mention is that the moths were experiencing a significant downturn in participation before foiling techology was developed! Now they've got many companies around the world (some very large ones too) not able to build them fast enough to keep up with demand!!! Moths are experiencing a world wide resurgence since they introduced foils!!! So how can you say that foiling has hurt the class!!!
There was also a discussion about banning controllable surfaces on the foilers early in their development. The top guys just said, "ok, we'll learn to sail them no matter what the rules...control surfaces or not..."
Admittedly the marketing of moths has helped this resurgence.
Don't fear the technology. We'd still be in the dark ages if we feared technology.
You wouldn't be banning the boats retrospectively, just the components!
But in order to build an efficient variable trim boat; you would not build it the same as a standard boat. The beams would be in different places. The boat would be set up differently, the hull shape would be different. The stress loads are in different places, The boat would not look like a current F16.
Agree the Moth has florished as a result of the change. My point is that this technology would change our boats completly and as a result, we would ALL HAVE TO CHANGE our boats.
Remember all the Moths were trying to do is fly (i.e. reduce drag in the water)- I do not believe that this can be done within the current F16 rules and the changes proposed for this year). Variable trim rudders allow you to create RM and thus change the boat in a fundemental way.
Also interesting to note that the Moths are now talking about building boats that have a lessor aerodynamic profile and so fly batter (again increasing the obsolessance of the older boats).
I think I've said all I intend to say on the subject now. I feel people now know my views. These boats could be built, but as I've said I do not intend to (unless someone gives me some dosh). I (and others) believe this is possible and I am as far along the road as design for rudders to be automatic upwind and a single re-set downwind.
