The development cost of a Laser campaign is not $1, sure you buy equipment, masts, sails, hulls. but you are not developing new stuff. Simply consuming it in the course of training and competing.
The Cost to run a Laser campaign is a lot lower than a Finn for example, simply because you do not have the option to throw money at special bending masts and new design sails.
Macca,
You need to spend more time around Laser sailors; When I was in the UK development squad the laser guys used a hull for a few big events and then got rid; Ditto masts (Esp top sections). I hear it is even worse now and Hull gets changed after each big event.
Stories of hours at laser dealers picking the best Hull; Mast section, tiller bits and sails.
Cost of the hardware is almost not an issue. It is the travelling that costs (as I am sure you know).
