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I have in my memorabilia file an old double sided A3 sized class poster of photos in black and white taken by R Lean Vercoe in the 1980s.  I think I acquired it before I  started sailing 12's in the 90's.  It features 12's at speed on the sea and even now the boats look impressive.
Personally, I think exciting sells boats and that poster certainly worked for me - eventually. 

Finally, if you want a double bottomed river rocket, my (possibly biassed) suggestion would be a Paradigm 2

Are there any pictures of the boat kicking about?

For me the simplification and freeing up of some of the more complex measurement rules is the way forward.  I suspect rotating masts could be a turn off for a lot of people as they are perceived to be complicated. 
I am not bothered about a major hike in performance but would be happy with a modest increase in sail area with a nice fat headed sail, (maybe fully battened or semi fully battened) a worthwhile reduction in weight (so that we don't have to carry Kilos of lead around) the removal of minimum mast weight and the option of a daggerboard for those that want it.
If the outcome of any changes is a 1970s style design rush resulting in at least one modern day double bottomed river rocket I for one would be mega happy!! 
There will be winners and losers but I think we have to do it 

Perhaps Rick is suggesting we are all happy with the 3/4 height

I guess we will be damned if we do something and damned if we do nothing.  I get the feeling that there the desire within the class to move our boat forward is gaining momentum and I would urge the powerbrokers to make it happen.
     

 
. . . we need a plan
 

And doing nothing again is not it.......................

Interesting debate on Y&Y Forum about "which classes will survive"  Comparison made about how Merlins have competed successfully against RS400s and how N12's have fared less well against RS200s.  See http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4308&PN=1&TPN=5

You might want to follow the coversation going on over at http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3887&PN=1&TPN=1

Welcome to the wonderful world of Nat 12's.  Sure you will get loads of useful advice here
 

Knee pads?  Progrip in strategic areas?