This is a preview of the Musto Skiff Class Association 2023 Annual Class Survey voting question for the Small Mainsail Proposal.
(NOTE – You cannot submit a vote via this page. Voting is for current Musto Skiff class members, and can only be done via the official 2023 Annual Class Survey. For more information on how to participate, see the end of this page).
IMPORTANT – All class members will need to complete the main survey to access the link to the class member only / AGM section. See the steps below for what to expect and how to access the member only / AGM section:
- Once you have completed the main survey, select DONE at the end. This will submit your responses.
- You will then be auto-directed to the exit screen. The link to the member only / AGM section is on this exit screen. Do not close your browser.
- Hit the link (on the exit screen) and you can continue to the next section of the survey for class members. The voting questions are within this additional section.
- Once you have completed the member only / AGM section, hit DONE at the end. This will submit your responses and your full survey will now be complete.
- To exit this section of the survey, just close your browser.
MEMBER VOTE 1 – PROPOSAL FOR THE ADOPTION THE ‘SMALL MAINSAIL’
Background:
A lot of lighter and smaller sailors (e.g. 29ers) and/or less confident sailors have said that they are very interested to sail the Musto Skiff but are worried that the rig is too powerful and/or they will not be competitive. It is important for the future of the class that we expand its appeal to a wider range of sailors. The committee has therefore been exploring a smaller mainsail that is compatible with the existing Musto Skiff rig.
Aim: To encourage more sailors to enter the class. A less powerful mainsail makes it easier for:
- those less confident in their skills
- those who feel they are too light to compete against larger sailors with the larger/standard mainsail
Class members have encouraged the committee to develop the smaller mainsail to help to broaden our member base to include more youth, female, and lighter weighted sailors. This has been discussed in previous class surveys, and its development was strongly supported.
Latest Status on the ‘small mainsail’ project:
With the very kind support of our class builder, Ovington Boats, and Hyde Sails, a smaller mainsail was designed for the class. (More information on the small mainsail project can be found at: https://mustoskiff.com/exploring-the-idea-for-a-new-smaller-sail-project-xs/.)
Following development and successful trials, the small mainsail has gone into production. Stocks will be available via Ovington Boats Ltd or local dealers (where relevant) in early 2024.
The committee members strongly support the adoption of the small mainsail and are looking forward to this launching soon. It creates significant opportunities, but we now need to consider how best to adopt the small mainsail.
After exploring how best to adopt the small mainsail, we (the International Class committee) would like to put the following proposal forward and invite all class members to vote on this proposal.
Proposal for adoption of the small mainsail
The committee proposes a 2-year adoption trial period (2024 – 2025). This would enable the small mainsail to be raced alongside the standard mainsail for events, but with set conditions to support competitive racing across the fleet, as outlined below.
Proposed conditions for the 2-year adoption trial period (2024 – 2025):
- Sailors shall nominate which mainsail size they will use before the regatta starts – small or standard.
- Sailors may change their mainsail for any one or more days during the regatta. They shall notify the Measurer before changing. Results will only be counted for the originally nominated sail.
- Small mainsail users will not be eligible for a top 10 placing in World Championships.
Other considerations: For open meetings and organised events, if more than 3 boats race with the small mainsail, they may be awarded a separate prize from the standard fleet. If more than 10 sign on to race, then they may be given a separate start.
Longer term options (beyond the 2-year trial) to include:
- A continuation of the proposed trial arrangement, or refinements of.
- The introduction of a separate fleet.
- A return to the status-quo.
During the 2-year adoption trial period, the Committee will monitor class member comments and feedback, and how the events are working.
Please indicate your voting preference:
Do you support the proposal to introduce the smaller mainsail on a 2-year trial basis to enable the small mainsail to race alongside the standard mainsail, but with the clear conditions (as outlined)? (Select either YES or No)
- YES – I support this proposal
- NO – I do not support this proposal
About the Musto Skiff Class Association (MSCA) 2023 Annual Survey
The MSCA 2023 Annual Class Survey will be open from 9am (GMT) on Friday 15th December 2023 and typically takes no more than 10 minutes to complete, including the AGM section (which is for current class members only).
To participate, click on the direct link here: https://questionpro.com/t/AP0CqZ0yUv
The survey will close at 9pm (GMT) on Friday 26th January 2024. A report with key highlights will be shared by the class association in early 2024.
REMEMBER: The link to access the class member only section with the voting options is only accessible via the exit screen of the main survey, so please ensure you click on this at the end of the main survey before closing your browser.
Previous MSCA Annual Survey reports can be found on the class website here >>
