A bit late for this question but I'll put in my 5 cents worth. Anything that isn't as high tech. Sailors are lamenting the decline in numbers in their sport and those already hooked keep pushing the boundaries with lighter and more exotic materials...read expensive. If you seriously want to attract non sailors to sailing and get some of those that have left back you need a reasonably priced catamaran - ideally under $10 000 boat without all the gadgets ...ie an Aluminium mast, dacron sail or something reasonably cheap and basic rig. Believe it or not it's just as much fun sailing without an ultra light catamaran with exotic sail and rigging. I know that I am not able to afford one of these boats and going by the numbers coming into sailing neither are a lot of other people. I am not for one second saying that there shouldn't be classes of these types of boats but we are being suckered into thinking that this is the only option at the detriment of attracting people into sailing. Unless you are already hooked and can sail well the thought of spending $15-20000 for a second hand boat that you have no hope of sailing and more than likely totalling is just not on the cards...especially with a mortgage, growing family, being able to buy something that the whole family wants etc etc. As for the Tornado as the Olympic class It barely has a following based on the number of clubs sailing it and the cost of buying and maintaining it. Added to this is it's size...as you are no doubt aware housing blocks are getting smaller and there is nowhere to store something as large as the Tornado, which also limits the numbers who will move onto this class as their sailing ability increases. The Laser and Hobie 16 are fairly simple in their hulls and rigs and they were well recieved. I'd say follow this formula and select as they have done with the SL16 but keep it simple. Set a formula for the manufacturers with the same hull length, sail size etc and then select an Olympic class based on the value for money and performance of the contenders. Above all return the dream to the average sailor that they don't need a second mortgage to be competitive and that they have a chance to go to an Olympics. Just an opinion NickS
