IMO, throw outs serve more than one purpose....

1, they allow you to get back into a series if you have a breakdown
2, they allow you to get back into a series if someone fouls you and you drop down the order as a result - THIS DOES AND WILL HAPPEN, even after turns from the fouling boat, you end up worse, and it is almost impossible to get redress every time.
3, they allow you to get back into a series if you make a mistake

4, they allow you to push the start harder, one OCS is not the end of your series
5, they allow you to push the boat harder, one swim is not the end of your series


now the 64,000 dollar question is do "we" want to discourage 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 or not ?

1, is probably your fault
2, is probably NOT your fault
3, is your fault
4, is the way you approach the regatta
5, is the way you approach the regatta

now there is more to consider,

4 and 5 will effect the whole way you and other competitors sail the race series, do we want to discorage the competion that is the start?, IMO removing throw-outs will change the start as people will be far more worried about fouling or being over than pushing for a good start. Throw outs also help the "motiation" of the fleet as a whole. Consider a no throw regatta where 3 of the top 10 boats in a competitve fleet like the F18 get bad results, they now CANNOT win - given these people are usually sailing a number of different boats, they might just pack up and go home to sail their Tornado instead, is this something that sould be encouraged?