Here is one my favorites
[img]http://sharkcatamaranclass.org/2005ntlp1.html[/img]

I love this photo because of what it doesn't show- the rest of the fleet waiting for Dawn and I to finish!

I LOVE the black hulls and varnished decks. The ten foot beam combined with the easy trailering is quite attractive. Anyone try spinnakers or hooters on a Shark yet?

There has been discussion at the meetings of ways to modernize the Shark- Flathead main and raked spreaders top the list. I think it would b e fun to try, but there is a greater concern of keeping the purity of the class.
Even with the classic set up we are able to pull a water skier.
I am hoping to get the pictures of that from John Rogers

I know when I was in the class it was like pulling teeth to make ANY changes. Did manage to get a loose-footed sail and remove the splash rails, which were huge improvements in performance.

The spreader issue and square-head mainsail would not be a huge investment for owners and would make the sail much more versatile. And, with the raked spreaders you can then really tighten up the diamond wires which will lessen the chance of broken masts. Tight wires prebend the mast on its major aaxis, rather than its minor axis. Most masts break on the minor axis.
RIck

The hulls have plenty of volume and with that beam, why the hell not??

Rick nailed it for why the swept spreaders are the best way to go.

A modern rig would really crank up a Shark AND with a high aspect, squaretop main on a pre-bent mast, you have a more forgiving rig in heavy as well as being faster in all conditions. Twist is fast!

Throw on a downwind sail and fly a hull off the wind too!

I think we should introduce a 50th year special edition!
incorporate all the go fast ideas and see if it flies!

And don't go crazy-

Stick with an AL mast, dacron squaretop main, AL spin pole and use a another classes spinnaker. Say Nacra 20 or even F18. Do you guys trap? If not, consider 1 trap for crew. Hold down the costs and it is easier to sell to the fleet.

They are allow to double trap, I believe, but rarely see a single trap.
Actually, a square head mainsail, no matter the material would be good. Seems the Pentex and mylar are not much different in price than the Dacron.
Problem with aluminum for poles is they come in 12' then 24' section. Personally, I think a 20' boat needs a 15' pole to be effective. In that case, alum costs more than carbon or fiberglass.. Easy enough to get an old windsurfer mast