Class update by Jamie Hilton (4th November 2022)
As the Musto Skiff class prepares to vote on whether a new mainsail should be adopted the following memo sets out to provide a recap of why the class has arrived at this point, the main considerations associated with the decision and a range of potential timelines under which change may, or may not, take place.
Disclaimer: this memo has been put together by Jamie Hilton, an avid Musto Skiff enthusiast having sailed in the class for some 14 seasons, a former UK National Champion and currently holding the position of Treasurer for the International Musto Skiff Class Association. The opinions presented are intended to represent a breadth of views from across the fleet, trying to capture the views of the class with an overview of the facts and information we know, presented in an objective way to help class members take an informed view of what the vote might mean to them.
Let’s start with a re-cap of how we got here…
The class members have previously proposed that we consider updating our mainsail design to take advantage of new sail technologies and design expertise with the aim of remaining ‘current’ and to be proactive in protecting the class image.
In 2017, a member vote was held supporting a project to explore the options for a new mainsail design. This led to the development of a proto-type new mainsail design that was developed and trialled, but where a subsequent member vote (2019) concluded that the sail did not provide sufficient advancement and that the project should be paused for two years. The question was put to the class again in Dec 2020 where in Feb 2021 it was revealed that 60% voted to re-kindle the project to ‘develop and test a design for new more modern sail’, and where 20% voted to keep the existing sail as it is currently, and the remaining 20% voting to keep the existing sail but to change the colour of the sail cloth.
In effect it was stated that this vote meant:
- “Any proposed changes would need to undergo a lengthy design, development and testing process to confirm the suitability of the design. [Done]
- This process would take at least 12 months with trials in various countries. [Underway]
- Any new proposed design would then require class members to vote on whether to adopt this. [Next step]
- [Then] If approved by majority vote, there will be an additional period of an estimated 12 – 18 months before any new mainsail would be introduced to the class.”
A reminder of the aims…
- to take advantage of new sail technologies and design expertise in order to remain ‘current’ and to be proactive in protecting our class image.
- to modernise the look of the class and attract new members.
Considerations
With the design phase now completed and trialling underway, the class will soon be asked to vote, and with multiple factors to consider (sail performance, cloth, cost, schedule (of roll-out), image, ability to attract new members and impact on event attendance), the following information is intended to help class members make an informed decision by presenting it in a simple tabulated form.
See the button link below to view the Table of Considerations (PDF)
A question of timeline…
Currently, the plan is to vote (from as early as Feb 2023) for either Option 1 or Option 3 on the timeline below. This follows the preferred timeline as shown by the sailors present at the 2022 World Championships Sailor’s forum in Kiel, Germany. A further ‘Option 2’ is also shown below to present an alternative slower pace strategy to allow more testing of the new sail, to enable more sailors to try it for themselves before being asked to vote on the matter late 2023 (delaying potential new sail roll out to 2025).
See the button link below to view the ‘Project Schedule Options’. (PDF)
That summarises things for now. Note this is draft as of 4th Nov 2022. More to follow in due course.
Jamie Hilton
GBR 618
Previous Class Updates on the Mainsail Design Project
2017 Rig Update: Mast tracks, masts & sails (Published in 2017 – date unknown) (NOTE: This class update article is an archive source – WaybackMachine)
