Which is why this thread is titled.
What if the Olympic Mutlihull is not good for Multihulls.
You point out issues that should be addressed as we go through the process. When the game divides and your Olympic sailors live in a small little world disconnected from the rank and file sailors... Does it work?
1) how do they get financial support.
2) How do juniors or young sailors get into the game.
The hardware problem is relatively easy. Just figure out what ISAF and IOC really want. building a class culture and connecting this class to the rest of the cat sailors and then the Yacht clubs and then to fans... Priceless.
Mark, still I'm having trouble figuring out how it could be Bad for Multihulls.
Any Multihull exposure is good exposure, right? The trick is to pick the right boat. I think the problem with the Tornado was the initial cost and it was too wide to easily trailer to local events, also a pita to ship overseas. The only guys willing to put up with it were Olympic Wannabees, not club racers.
Maybe we should talk to the Laser guys and see if class membership has increased or decreased since it was chosen as an Olympic boat. I think the 470 would be dead and burried by now if not for Olympic status.
Cost and complexity is what just killed the Star, so let's not go down that road. Keep it simple and cheap, like the Laser and 470, and more Juniors can get into the game.
