I'll bite on this...never been flamed before. We are entitled to our "opinions", right.

I say that there are always going to be those individuals that bring up the money issue in sailing. If you have the resources to modify your boat (or any other toy you may have) and that is what you want to do.... then so be it. Not everyone is interested in how to hold together a 25 year old sail or jury-rigging from Ace Hardware.

Fast cars, motorcycles, power boats, monohulls, skis,.................have all been tweaked with money. If one can not afford (or has other priorities) for their money, then they have to accept the fact that they can't play with those that can.

I am asking myself if it is worth posting this because of the heat I will probably get from the "bailing wire" crowd, but I'll stick my neck out because it is "my opinion".
Dave