I think the cost of ownership depends on a lot of variables for an aging class such as ours. Different boats have completely different sail inventory management strategies, so it is hard to compare precisely. For example, I don't use two sets of sails one for OD and one for PHRF, and I don't have a uniformly scheduled replacement protocol like Russ does. I buy whatever I can afford to buy each year shortly before the NA regatta, and then use those sails for all my racing activity until they wear out/lose shape-and then I replace them as seems warranted by condition and as I can afford to. So this coming year I am definitely replacing my three year old #1-but may try to survive with my three year old 3/4, and hopefully (if this change goes into effect and if I can afford it) pick up a 1/2 oz before the NA's in the fall.
I believe the only possible way to measure/assess the cost impact of a rule change such as this one is to assume that a class boat going all out (and without other-i.e. personal/financial-restrictions) would buy the maximum number of new sails permitted by the class rule. The class rule is designed to limit the MAXIMUM expenditure possible-and with this change that maximum expenditure per season would not change (except for the first year of implementation). No new math required.
Carl-did the 2 J/30's that didn't enter the
CPYC OD regatta refrain from participating because boat maintenance is too expensive, or because regatta costs are too expensive? My general impression is that participation is down because the class is aging out/moving on-not because of upkeep costs such as sail purchasing (although general maintenance costs of the hull and deck clearly go up as these boats hit their senior years...)
