I too have been following the above conversations with much interest, particularly because I am in need of new sails but don't yet want to buy them until I know which direction the class is going to go.

I think a subtle point should be made more bluntly: it doesn't matter what the class decides for OD, the non-OD owners are going to do (and buy) what they want anyway.

The class has OD rules. To race OD, you follow the rules, whatever they may be. The intent of OD rules isn't to put the "fastest" configuration of the boat on the water (although perhaps it should be), just that all the boats are the "same."

Of course, by that logic, the class could designate burlap as the preferred sail materail. I'm sure you could get a new burlap main for less than $300.

The guys who only race PHRF aren't going to care much about this thread, they are going to buy the sails that they want and that'll be the end of it. The guys who only race OD also shouldn't care (although I'm sure they do). The OD rules will be what they'll be. Sometimes a change is made, and you'll have to adapt.

The people who have a dog in this fight are the ones who will race mostly PHRF with an occasional OD event here and there. The issue is that a mostly PHRF racer doesn't want to have to buy a dacron main just for the occassional OD event.

In my opinion, the only question that actually matters is: Do string sails afford a competitive advantage in any given race?

If the answer is "yes" then a decision must be made and we'll all have to live with it. If you want to influence the vote, step up and volunteer for the Board of Governors. If you are on the Board of Governors and the vote went against you, well that's just the way it is. Ain't democracy grand?

If the answer is "no," then it seems like this is all academic. Let people use whatever sail they want. For me, I'm trying to retrofit a wing but am having balance problems once I get over 20 knots and pop up on plane. Perhaps some restrictions would be wise.

There are, of course, the "long term" arguments that string sails, over their life, are more competitve than dacron, of its life. Perhaps the rule should be: all materials are allowed. Dacron can be replaced every two years, string sails every four years (or something to that effect). Personally, I don't have the resources to afford new sails every 10 years, but I'll make due.

The larger point I'm trying to make is that there is a natural ebb and flow to every class. To best promote critical mass, the class should be as cheap as possible to enter. To best promote the most competitive sailing, the class should be allowed to use the best technology. A balance must be struck between the two and I am confident that the Board of Governors, who have thanklessley volunteered their time to promote the class, will make a thoughtful decision in the best interest of the class as a whole.

Cheers and happy sailing.