I think the biggest thing that changed is that there is no longer the perception that the Tiger (a 10+ year old design) can win any regatta. The perception may or may not be based in reality. But, it means that sailors are willing to pay a premium for what they perceive as a faster boat.
Manufacturers are responding to this by updating their boats and selling costly upgrades like long daggerboards.
This perception may be based because a new design has won Worlds the past few years. So, hopefully the 2012 worlds is not won on a Cirrus R or a Falcon F18 (sorry Matt).
My bet is a Cirrus R will win and it will probably be Orange. Maybe after the Worlds there will be some nice New/Used boats available. My understanding is there is at least one of the newer designed boats up for a new hulls to follow the Cirrus R in the fat and flat bottom.
Richard Vilvens Brand Ambassador PSA Capricorn USA [email protected] Fairfield, Ca F-18 5150
