Did you create that on computer or is it real?

It's real.

So we have two themes here... winning and growing the sport. Why do sooo many kids make boy racer cars and they can't really even compete.. because they are perceved to be cool.
If this thread has been usurped from the AC sail comparrison let's agree to formerly start a thread on style, winning psychology of livery and graphics in sport and war and growing the sport through attrtaction.
For what is is worth, here is my old Attunga. It was loved on any beach I arrived at. motifs on prt side of hulls hwere different again Motifs on boards were flying fish.

great boat!

Thanks, this was an Aussie designed boat that I could find no reference to on the net. Desigened in 1959 and built by a local doctor and ex WW II bomber pilot. It was his ride for 39 years before I gained care of it and gave it a big birthday. Awesome day boat, swim platform and speed machine. As teenagers his 5 daughters, yes 5, were famous for being seen topless wasting everything else on the water here in the 70s! : ) As I understand it, this design took the cup off the Evonnes before the cup went to C class but I have had huge trouble getting any real history.
I just purchased a book, "catamaran sailing to win" which tells of history of Little AC from 62...
Photo shows me holding genoa sheet and my buddy having a shot on the helm. Is he pleased with himself or what? Check out the face of non sailor, first time on sea...hehehe
Ariel is now back with the daughters of that family. : )

I love the front but might lose stern section graphics. Is the similarity to Robis flame job eerie or what?

Hey Mary.. the 95 Prada boat was grey, but considdered the most refined with the read flash and white name on bow... great look and style, not flashy and Luna Rossa..mmm great name too... red moon. : )
Lost to the evil black boat from the "dark side" though.... why can't us Kiwis sail cats properly? : (

I love the 40s nose art of fighter planes and always cary the running wolf insignia of a ME 109 squadran of the Luftwaffer. It is a touchstone for my mindset when behind. It says "never stop running, never stop hunting and looking for a weakness in those up front". Might sound wanky but it helps me concentrate and it makes me believe I will catch up and bring the foe down. It is interesting to me that my other touchstone is the deaths head for when I am in front.. it reminds me there is no quater given and to keep the foot on the throat.
see attached
God I am a sick puppy, I sound like an 8 year old, guess it's just a boy thing
: )

Guys/Gals/Mary:

Graphics don't make the boat faster but those BAD butt Bob Curry cut Pentex sails do!!!! Ashleigh and I are having FUN in the Wed nights.

Doug and Ashleigh Snell
Hobie 17 "Stress Free" # 007

Robi:

This was a $600 basket case when I bought it. Wing holes broken out and rat nest in wings.If you put your hand on tramp it fell through and catbox had no bottom to it, rusted out. Sail was toast. BUT it is SWEET now.




Good Sailing and Great Wind.

Doug Snell
Hobie 17 "Stress Free" # 007

I love the cool graphics and I agree, it does attract spectator attention and may even bring in some new blood. However, I remember back in the late 1970's, all the serious racers started buying only white boats. I was told this was due to two reasons: 1. Supposedly, White boats were lighter because they didn't have the added weight of "pigment", and easier to repair with no visible marks. 2. The "Real Reason", it's MUCH harder for the race committee to call a boat over early if they are all white!

If you see a red hull, and a blue hull and a bright yellow hull, well, it's pretty easy for them to say, "Hey, the Red boat is early, who is that?" But if they are all white, it's pretty hard to do. So I beleive around the early 80's is when all the real racing skippers went to white only on their hulls, with as few identifying marks as possible! You will see them pushing the starting line pretty hard at any big championship, there is actually a buldge in the middle because they feel safe there, since their hidden by the boats to windward.

I would prefer to see more colorful hulls and sails, for the reasons you have put forth.

Thats an interesting thoery Tim. I wonder; this is why now they are putting big numbers on boats bows in big races? To identify who is who? I would assume its easier to look at bows on the line, than look at the bows, then have to peek up to see the sail number. INTERESTING.

Doug, you pimp that boat pretty darn hard. Yes I agree she is a beauty now. I seriously hope you are having tons of fun. H17 are sweet boats.

Look at this video, (I got the link from the general discussion area)

Do you think these massive boats, would have been apealing, if they were PLAIN WHITE? I think not!
http://johnswind.nl/VO_HWSV.html

**** and its grand tail.
The NZ black boat is the best characterisation of this.. the other syndicates obviously took the power of the colour very seriously and many took the darker base and went with it. Every boat that went dark lessened the power of the orginal boat... I am sure this was done on purpose.

If five sailors are put off just a little bit by a boats visual presence then that is valid reasons to do it. In the end though it is the skippers who don't give a damn who you still have to beat over the line.

sail fast

Bravo Warbird!!!!!!!!

Yes! : ) at least it came with a warning! : )

I agree Robi, Doug has done it well and it reflects his passion.

Has not stopped the F18 exploding in popularity.

Stick with the formula concept..... it looks to be the way of the future for boat racing.

You are right about that. So what does F18 have? Is it the V8ness of them? Bigger for the bigger lads... ?
I would say though that having to continually sell your ride at a loss for the next new competitive boat is a drag... From the goss it sounds like anyone with an Infusion is going to have a money based advantage on last years lot.

Hasn't worked yet for F14????
'Funky' graphics can be an attraction but much, much more than that is required to get young people on cats.