Lots of the Olympic boats don't hold up for a campaign cycle.
The value over a 4 year cycle versus entry cost debate did not work for the Tornado for 20 years... What sea change makes you think this is important now?
If you are Costa Rica or Bermuda ...(pick a country in a growing part of the world) You have a small program... Who knows if your sailors are going to be able to compete... You need to build a pipeline to create a world class team... you can't count on rich family paying for their kid to pursue the Olympics. Trying to catch lighting in a bottle.... Would you not want lots of affordable boats to maximize your very small pyramid of sailors or a few Cadillac boats.
(I think the value in the boat is important but history seems to say that the value proposition is not determinative.
There is a second hand market for boats!!!!! A 10 year plus old Marstom will be all a team needs to get into the class however they will need to go to Europe to really see if they meet the standard. This costs $$$$$. So if any wanabee in “Costa Rica or Bermuda ...(pick a country in a growing part of the world)” wish to kick start a campaign, then buy a second hand boat. Start off with an old Reggie or Sailcraft, then progress to an older Marstrom, take it to Euroland and see where you stand. Alternatively, pick up an old F18, learn how to sail it. Get a newer generation boat, head to Euroland, see how you stack up, then get a Marstom and head over again.
Once again, the purchase price of the boat looks insignificant. And as mentioned, you can look at the second hand market for a boat.
