Hi.
Really interesting to read where, what and how the class is trying to address the issues which I think most classes face - diminishing fleet sizes, lack of participation and, new boats being built.
Having done most of my sailing circa 40 years ago in Fireballs, GP's, FF etc where NAT champ numbers were regularly over 100 and open meetings over 30, I've returned to dinghy sailing after a 30 years out of the game.
My main boat is a Fireball but I keep looking at a N12 as a 2nd boat. A lot of the discussion here certainly reflects that of the Fireball class however they have decided to have a design change, allow carbon hulls and introduce twin poles and adjustable rigs. Whilst a lot of the hull design changes are supposed to make production easier, I'd be surprised if the hull retails less than the last fireball built in 2020.
Rumour has it there's 10 boats on order but will that be sustained? If those new boats are substantially quicker than the original design then existing owners are left with an uncompetitive boat. So you're left with buying a new boat (£18k ISH) being uncompetitive, or moving class. Time will tell.
The 12' s will have to play a careful game.
My hesitancy into buying a 12 is lack of suitable sized crew (there's no youngsters running around at the club) and if there is a diminishing, south centric open meeting circuit. I'm happy to race non foiling category.
Again, the Fballs have dropped most of their opens - now having 4 'championship' style events - of which nothing is north of Rugby.
So, very little open sailing for the cost of the boat outlay. I understand most sailors can't afford or maybe don't want to do an open circuit but if you do your best option is the ILCA fleet.
It's a difficult one to summon up the magic answer. The 12's are relatively cheap to buy and maintain secondhand so should be attractive to new entrants, but definitely, please don't diminsh the racing calendar.
I'll continue to travel a long way south for my Fireball racing despite healthy club numbers in northern England and hopefully find a lightweight crew and N12 boat when spring arrives.
Really interesting to read where, what and how the class is trying to address the issues which I think most classes face - diminishing fleet sizes, lack of participation and, new boats being built.
Having done most of my sailing circa 40 years ago in Fireballs, GP's, FF etc where NAT champ numbers were regularly over 100 and open meetings over 30, I've returned to dinghy sailing after a 30 years out of the game.
My main boat is a Fireball but I keep looking at a N12 as a 2nd boat. A lot of the discussion here certainly reflects that of the Fireball class however they have decided to have a design change, allow carbon hulls and introduce twin poles and adjustable rigs. Whilst a lot of the hull design changes are supposed to make production easier, I'd be surprised if the hull retails less than the last fireball built in 2020.
Rumour has it there's 10 boats on order but will that be sustained? If those new boats are substantially quicker than the original design then existing owners are left with an uncompetitive boat. So you're left with buying a new boat (£18k ISH) being uncompetitive, or moving class. Time will tell.
The 12' s will have to play a careful game.
My hesitancy into buying a 12 is lack of suitable sized crew (there's no youngsters running around at the club) and if there is a diminishing, south centric open meeting circuit. I'm happy to race non foiling category.
Again, the Fballs have dropped most of their opens - now having 4 'championship' style events - of which nothing is north of Rugby.
So, very little open sailing for the cost of the boat outlay. I understand most sailors can't afford or maybe don't want to do an open circuit but if you do your best option is the ILCA fleet.
It's a difficult one to summon up the magic answer. The 12's are relatively cheap to buy and maintain secondhand so should be attractive to new entrants, but definitely, please don't diminsh the racing calendar.
I'll continue to travel a long way south for my Fireball racing despite healthy club numbers in northern England and hopefully find a lightweight crew and N12 boat when spring arrives.
