Sunday, 18 May 2008
Just back from the Boat Show – checking out the new toys. Having owned a variety of powered and sail craft the only thing that took my fancy was the 2 person submarine. But at $35,000 and a good wait until they come out of production that wasn’t an option. Plus getting to somewhere to use it and needing a day like today to use it....well – I don’t know.
Then I appreciated what a great toy a blokart is. Excitement, cheap to run, great people to sail with – what more could you want? I looked outside the show – no wind, water ski? – got that but need a minimum of 3 people, Jet Ski (over that), go fishing (too much sun), gin palace (can’t justify the gas), 5.5 m sail – whoo hoo! Probably would have bought one if blokart was at the show. But 6 knots is the best wind speed I can find anywhere in Auckland at the moment – perhaps it will come up? Might be a challenge even for a 5.5m. But I went sailing last weekend, the weekend before, and the 100 km before that, and two weeks before that on another 100 Km attempt. If this was a boat I’d need an engine overhaul! Bangs per buck this looks pretty good to me!
Now I’m thinking like Sean – what wind speed can I sail a 5.5m to?
Let’s remember that the 5.5m came into being because of user demand and the 5.5 (unlike the spinnaker) was actually practical.
Remember when we all couldn’t justify the Pod and people had “dirt skirts” and home made Pods, some of which were definitely capable of being lethal in a crash. Now most have Pods.
This is “One Design”, not “One-off” design. We’ve seen a carbon fibre frame, but that is going too far at the moment.
The IBRA and BAI represent the users. 10% of blokart owners probably belong to a club. A lot of that 10% race, and let’s face it two blokarts being sailed side by side is a race.
The idea of a separate class is interesting. Like when the Laser Radial sail came out? Growing club membership is definitely what the clubs and BAI are here for. We can’t make everyone happy but we can try.
I see from a flash on the screen that Nick has just sent an email saying Ross has added a poll. I was going to suggest that – will check that out and stop rambling.
Cheers
Grant
For those who missed it, click here for the poll http://blokart.jiglu.com/discussion/polls/2251504
Poll Question
5.5m Ban or Not?
1. Ban for all
2. Ban for all but the fat basterds
3. Allow for all
Ross.
Hi Ross,
I’m sorry cannot vote on this poll, as the terms of reference are too narrow. The discussion is broader than that what you are suggesting, there are several angles to this discussion, Recreational, Club, National and International. Of the Blokart Sailors who sail competitively there are a number who do not subscribe to Jiglu, so unfortunately any result cannot be taken seriously.
The use of the 5.5 will evolve and protocols will be decided by organizers of any sailing event, I think they call it “event specific”.
You don’t even have a Fat Bastards Class!!!
Cheers,
Don
Hi Don,
The poll was not intended for any more than a bit of fun.
If you want to get serious, your right, this is the wrong forum for that. I think most would agree that you cant take much of what goes on on Jiglu seriously.
Of your Various angles...
well International.. we have a ruling from the chair of IBRA... They are in.
As for recreational.. who cares, that is completely open including asymmetrically spinnakers.I dont think anyone is proposing to ban them for what you lot call fun sailing.
Club..... Both the ABC and BBC Presidents have posted on her saying that they are legal in these clubs.
So we are down to Nationally...... With no NZopen this year, this is hardly an issue that needs tackling until after the worlds when we can see the results of the IBRA rule.
"Event specific" does bring up another interesting point that may need clarifying. When do the changes made become enough of a re-write to be complete bullshit. Is it when one club removes or modifies all the rules so as to give that club's competitors and advantage. In most other sports with "event Specific" rules those rules that may be changed are highlighted, those that can not are highlighted as such also.
Prehaps IBRA need to look back at the intent that they wrote the rules with... Was the "event Specific" rule intended for both equipment and sailing or just the sailing parts? Grant?
BTW. isn't the super heavies (option 2) the Fat Bastards Class... or should I have phrased it the "Big Boned nice peoples class"
Interestingly, on weight classes, I notice in the BAI meetings that NZ have requested that the weight grouping to be used at the worlds be announced three months prior.. seems from the meeting minutes that Blokart international (the organizer) agreed... can't wait til end of June to see if I need to diet or feast!
Ross.
