I am not talking about either changing the C-Class rules or impeding its development. What I am suggesting is to use an existing C-Class to make production molds from which to build accessable boats from, rig them with soft rigs and make them more accessable to others. The hope is to put them in the spotlight. Using a format similar to the Ultimate 40 concept, creating racing venues and splashing it around in the media. These events could run in conjuncture with legitimate C-Class racing and thus allow both to be on display in a very public forum. I know that there was racing in Newport this past weeks, but have only heard whispers about the results. I had hoped that there would have been more follow-up on the outcome of the event. Nothing much has even been posted here by the Toronto Team.

Back to the thought though. The C-Class is expensive and the wing sails difficult for the average sailor to use, much less take care of. Though I like the concept, its use and the speeds that are attained with them, they are not practical from an everyday sailing standpoint.

Lying the boat down on its side, derigging after each sail, storing it covered and out of the wheather and so on. Just not any easy item to use, take care of and so-on. You get the point.

So my thought still is to create a boat the the platform intitially is a production model and probably one design. As to whether development above the platform takes place or not is something that I just have not thought out enough. I think that the Ultimate 40's are a pretty strict and controlled one design with parameters on hulls, mast, sails, rigging and so on. I know Marstrom built at least one of the boats and maybe all of them. As to the sails, probably one maker again, just do not know.

If you take this as a concept designed to put 25' cats out there racing, with easier to handle rigs and the 2 person crew, then I believe you would have something exciting.

Again, combining them with the development C's in a regatta where you have each type of boat showcased, you could have a great event. The develpoment C's racing against each other and the "one-design" C's as the other part of the regatta.

Honestly, I am not trying to create controversy here, just thinking aloud about how to bring more focus and visibility to a class that I would hate to see fade away. The whole controversy surrounding the "Little America's Cup" stemmed from the lack of activity within the class for so many years and setting up the race with F18HT's. I think it was the wrong move and strongly believe that the C-Class are the only boat that should be sailed in that event. Development C's that is, not the ones I am mentioning. This was started as a development class, should remain that and the LAC should represent that aspect of the class. It also holds to the original Deed of Gift for the event and mirrors the intent of the AC itself.