John glad the kids don't think the same way you do.

Last years 29er Australian Champion, this year is sailing a Hobie 16 with spinnker. Why? because it is faster downwind thana 29er and just as much fun upwind. I guess sailing both classes he is more qualified to comment than most.

From what I can understand there is 2 problem with the ISAF Youth system.

While anybody can design a light cheap boat, the problem is making the boat available to the whole world. As we are talking youth it means parents buying the boat. So you really need a big 2nd hand market to encourage youth sailors. From what I have read the SL 16 is an experimental boat and has less than 10 boats made. You can convert the SL 15.5 but again it cost money and there is less than 600 of these in Europe. They do not exisit anywhere else in the world.

Add to the fact that whoever has to supply the boats to the ISAF Youth Worlds at their own cost. Yes the manufacturers have to pay for their own transport and maintain the boats for the benifit of the sport. So who has the money and the backing to do this.