The Musto Skiff Class Association (MSCA) 2023 Annual Class Survey report is now available to view online. The purpose of the survey, which is the 20th to date, was to gather feedback on the boat experience, training, organised events, and class marketing. Both class members and the wider sailing community were invited to participate, with dedicated sections for each group.
Created by the MSCA International Committee in partnership with the class boat builder and partner, Ovington Boats Ltd., submissions are anonymous to encourage honest feedback and insights on activities done well and areas for potential improvement.
In this latest survey, 11 countries were represented, with Musto Skiff sailors representing 81% of responses and sailors from other classes representing the remaining 19%. For Musto Skiff sailors, the most represented country was the UK (65%), followed by Germany (10%), and then Australia (7%). For all other sailors, the most represented country was the UK (50%), followed by Australia, Denmark, France, Switzerland, and the USA, all with an equal share of 7% each.
Facebook Voted as the Most Popular Marketing Channel
The social media platform, Facebook, dominated as the most popular marketing channel to find class information and engage with other Musto Skiff sailors in 2023.
The Musto Skiff International Facebook Page was by far the most engaged marketing platform for Musto Skiff sailors, with 63% of respondents using it always or often. This was echoed by all other sailors, with 32% using it always or often. However, a range of WhatsApp groups have also been established in the last few years, with many using local groups as well as the international WhatsApp group, which is reactivated for each of the major regattas, such as the World Championships.
Training Events Increased over 2023
Based on the survey participants, there was another slight increase in training events for 2023 compared to 2022, with 31% of the class participating in more training. Another 43% stated that there was training available in their region, but they did not attend it.
The class also expressed a keen interest in training going forward, with 75% of respondents stating that they would like to have more regional training sessions this year.
2023 International AGM Participants
Each year, MSCA class members are invited to take part in an annual online International AGM, which is presented as an extra section at the end of the main Class Survey. This provides an opportunity to vote for International Committee Members and Country Representatives, as well as vote on important class matters and proposals to grow and develop the class.
The 2023 online AGM included 44 participants representing six countries. This was a decrease in participants compared to the 2022 online AGM, which included 59 participants representing six countries.
As well as voting on class matters, all class members who completed the 2023 online AGM were invited to rate organised events over 2023, share their views on the boat, and provide additional feedback via the extra open comment sections.
Organised Events – Nationals and World Championships
Once again, the quality of National Championship events was rated very highly by the class members, with most rating their local event as ‘good to excellent’ overall. The level of competition in the fleet was also rated very highly for the Nationals, with 92% of class members in the 2023 online AGM rating this as ‘excellent’.
Based on the 2023 online AGM responses, only 30% of Musto Skiff Class members attended their Nationals last year. A further 53% stated that they had a Nationals event in their country but did not attend, and 18% stated there was no Nationals event hosted in their country in 2023.
Based on the online AGM responses, 84% stated ‘yes or maybe’ to attending the 2024 Worlds in Weymouth & Portland in the UK this July. For the 2025 Worlds planned for Sydney, Australia, next January, 57% stated ‘yes or maybe’ to attending.
Vote on the Small Mainsail Launch Proposal
Class members were invited to vote on a small mainsail proposal to enable the small mainsail to race alongside the standard mainsail on a 2-year trial. (as outlined in this survey question preview).
- 93% voted in support of the proposal.
- 7% voted against the proposal.
With the majority of the class members in the online AGM voting in support of the small mainsail proposal, the committee has now moved forward with the proposal to enable those with a small mainsail to participate in the main events as part of a 2-year trial.
This voting outcome was shared with the class members at the close of the survey so the trial could start in the 2024 season. The trail will be under continued review and any further changes or updates will be communicated with the class as required.
How to View the 2023 Annual Survey Report
The International Committee would like to thank the class and sailors from the wider sailing community for their insightful feedback and many useful comments as part of the MSCA 2023 Annual Class Survey.
The committee is now working together to review feedback and progress any required actions and will respond to the class members in due course.
To view the latest 2023 Annual Class Survey report, as well as all previous class surveys, visit the Musto Skiff class website survey page here>>
Feature photo: © Annamaria Ramy
