Lance from Banks Sails has hit the nail on the head with his great e-mail.
With a seasoned crew, the #2 has a very narrow use band on an Olson 30. With
a light or green crew, a #2 is a must to remain competitive.
Currently the class sail limitation count is seven (7) registered sails on board. Maybe we reduce it to six (6) and let the owners decide to go with a #2 or "other" spare sail...
We vote to keep the choice of sails up to the owners and just limit the number they can have on board.
Stacey Wilson
"Splash Tango 2"
Quantum Sails Seattle
-----Original Message-----
From: Lance Purdy -- Banks Sails <seabear@ardennet.com>
To: Olson30 <Olson30@sailpix.com>
Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2000 11:19 PM
Subject: #2's
>Hello all,
>
>I don't own an O-30, but I subscribe to your e-mail system because I like
to
>stay in touch with active one design classes. Let me just say that your
>discussions are always interesting and usually entertaining as well.
>Normally I do not intrude, but on the subject of whether or not to have #2
>sails I do have a bit to say based on my experience in other one design
>fleets.
>
>Over the years, I have actively campaigned two types of boat that allow
only
>the #1 and blade, the Santana 20 and the J24. During this time I came to
>realize that, although the limitation does save money, it often a severe
>determent to light or untrained crews and to neophyte owners. Basically,
>carrying a #1 out to 20 knots is not a picnic. Sure, a practiced crew can
>do it effectively, especially when trying to stay powered up for chop, but
>it is damn intimidating to a new owner with untrained crew. The
>alternative, changing down to the number #3 when no one else does, can be
>very humiliating, especially when the entire fleet powers off and leaves
you
>wallowing. The problems are even worse if you are still trying to build a
>crew and often find yourself light or short. I can't tell you how many
>times I wished the classes I was involved with allowed a #2 so new people
>could at least come out and compete without being either, totally knocked
>about, or horizoned.
>
>OK, I don't know exactly how your class rules are now, but I personally
>recommend that you continue to allow some type of #2 as an option. On the
>other hand, it need not be a requirement and if you don't think you need
>one, don't get one.
>
>
>
>Lance Purdy
>Banks Sails
>
>(415)290-8080 (day)
>(916)684-0639 (evening)
>(800)436-9330 (message only)
>(916)684-0945 (fax)
>seabear@ardennet.com (e-mail)
>
>
>
>
Received on Thu Feb 24 11:08:55 2000