Hi all,

my original post was shortest time scale possible, just to start the conversation. I think it should be longer, maybe 2 1/2 days for Sloops and then Cats. With the option to sail classes concurrently if blown out on other days.

I intentionaly, put the Cat rigs last as that gives largest number guaranteed at final night presentation, most spinnaker boats would be there anyway as they sail other formats, so if you had a couple of sloops that didn't hang around so be it, that happens anyway at times.

Thanks for the information.

As a newcomer, I don't want to stick my nose in too far too early, but in my experience in all sorts of football clubs, basketball clubs, various committees, and my line of work I have found that usually trying to please too many people is often (almost always) counterproductive.

By nature I embrace change and innovation, but in this instance I think that altering the 'tried & true' will actually marginalise/segregate some competitors. It opens up the event to be perceived as 'more hassle than it's worth' or 'Mickey mouse' for many who are only thinking about coming.

I tend to agree with Peter's comments. The idea is not bad, just not suited to a 'Nationals' format, perhaps a '3 day event' outside of the Nats?

Gents,
From my point of view, I think we need to access the fundamentals of what we are trying to achieve and be concious of the demographics of all our members. We have new mozzie sailors, stalwarts, young sailors learning, old sailors returning to sailing, social sailors, cat, sloop, +/- spinnaker and keen racers.

To cater for all of the above and encourage large fleet numbers, I think we should maximise sailing opportunities for all. Once we get up to 100 boats at a Nationals perhaps then we can break it up more.

Luke

The suggestion is to put the two fleets back together, not break them up.

We currently have around 10 sloops and 22 cats on average. The idea is to have 20 sloops and maybe 30 cats racing by putting them together.

Many cat sailors own jibs, and all sloops can be sailed cat rigged (some might let the crew have a go at skippering for a change).

Some of the cat-sailors family members who are usually on the beach would be able to get out in the racing for the sloop part of the event.

It is a radical idea, and it needs a lot of thought, but it's been suggested because there are a lot of good reasons for it. Principally getting more people involved, and more boats at the start lines in the National titles - without requiring any extra boats.

hi all
is it not best to have all boats on the start line at once
so have the nationals with 5 days racing with plenty of races so the most consistent sailor wins
the vyc handicap rating works out the results
or is that not what the handicap is about
because in am from queensland I would to sail (race) as much as possible
it would be hard for me to wait for 2 days a change of class and then wait for presentation
I think if you could 50 boats on a start line that would be the best thing for this class
this is just my opinion

the hobie 16 nationals do this, they have youth class and womens in the first 3 days, then masters and grand masters, in the next 3 days , then the open which has over 70+ boats on the start line, how do i know? my brother was there cross the whole fleet on port on the start line 2 years ago and got a trophy for it.

I am really encouraged by the continued topic of discussion that was first mentioned at the 2013 AGM. I aired my concern then because I only had one boat, not three. So I have undertaken a project to get another. Might have two ready for the three-way nationals (or 4 or 5 or whatever) when they are mooted.

The Mosquito class would never do that. It would make the Titles results dependent on some arbitrary set of yardsticks which the class has no control over.

Titles should be decided on the water, not back in the office, by the number-crunchers.

Hi,

I like the idea.
The sequence of rigs / races probably matters.

I would sail the spinnaker either one up or two.
Then my youngest would probably join for a sloop run.
Then the cat section on my own and yes Hamish could have a run at the cat on his own with a wish for light winds.
Sure....why not...

Sure I understand Darryn's comments about travelling for a short few days.
I also get it may not work for all.

The idea of all in at once from Brett would be a sight but you would have to choose one rig and only race that.

Phillip's idea of having multiple boats is a real winner.
That may make second hand boat value go up, retention of boats by the fleet or more new builds.

We will all need double decker trailers as well.

Lets keep talking about it.

It's all about getting and in the long term keeping more boats on the water in each rig . After all who wants to sail a Nationals with less than 10 boats in it , when there are boats sailing at the same time in other rig formats that you could be racing against . To me holding the Nationals for each rig variety on different days can only increase fleet numbers and that has to be good .

As for worrying about pot hunters you could have a rule that you can only win one National Title if that makes people feel better .

I think this is more of an attempt to increase the number of boats that use a spinnaker then to increase Nationals numbers.

The spinnaker has been around for a long time, those who wanted one have had plenty of opportunity to get one but most haven't.
Darryn
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Thought I'd put up a poll to see who's got a kite for their Mozzy... next thread up. Cheers,

I like the poll, good idea. Nationals numbers and home club also give a good idea of what is going on. Spinnaker uptake seems centered at GLYC were it was developed.
Darryn
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Not really darryn,
There are a few at rye now and somers, and QLD will have 7 with kites in the next few months.

Matt

And McCrae, and Sugarloaf.

Cheers

4 of the five mosses at rye have kites although we are losing luke to NSW next week but there are more mossies an the way to Rye...

we've got 3 of 4 regular mossies at Barmera running around with kites. and Port Vincent's new fleet has 3 i think.

lake Boga has 2 Mossies with kites now

Geez I have been a bit busy lately (had a great sail against Nick both of us with spinnakers last Sunday) so haven't been on the forum for a bit, but I can't let a blatantly incorrect statement like this go with out comment.

As can be seen in posts since Darryn's quoted above, there are Spinnaker Mossies all over the place and for many of the newer Mossie sailors it's one of the reasons they are getting in to the class, not all currently have spinnakers but many aspire to. Spinnakers aren't for everybody, but that is the great thing about Mossies, everybody has a choice of what rig they want to sail.

In contrast to Darryn's assumption, I have raised this topic to try and increase the number of Sloop rigged Mosquito's sailing, as at the last Nationals where all rigs sailed (the first ever spinnaker Nats) there where more Spinnaker rigged Mossies than Sloop rigged and I think that the Sloop is and has been a great way to introduce young people to cat sailing and I don't want to see it dissapear.

Why not have the Mk1 and Mk2 states on different weekends? I think your idea will encourage growth in both versions of the boat at a state level.

It's just not worth driving a third of the way across Australia for a one and a half day Mk1 Nationals. What if one of those days has no wind or is blown out?

Spinnaker numbers are surprising, would be interesting to know how many have been made. I hope some more locals fit them, I have only raced against a Mosquito with a spinnaker twice, looks like fun.

Putting on the flak jacket now...
Darryn
Bullet
1782