ILCA gives LPE the boot... seeking new Laser builder
- Thread starter Wess
- Start date
tillerman
Super Anarchist
The Sunfish is indeed an excellent choice for an aging ILCA sailor whose knees or hips are no longer up to the demands of the ILCA. The Sunfish is also an excellent boat for younger folk and women.
I hear that there is a special purchase deal on all the charter boats being provided to the Sunfish Worlds in a few weeks time.
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Wavedancer II
Anarchist
- 763
- 213
Wess isn't well informed about developments within the Sunfish class.
The fact is that Sunfish are now manufactured in Portugal (nothing wrong with that) BUT the build process has been changed significantly. No more internal foam structures. Many knowledgeable Sunfish racers predict that this will effect the longevity of the hulls. The class (ISCA) can only provide input, but has no rights since they don't own the plans.
The fact is that Sunfish are now manufactured in Portugal (nothing wrong with that) BUT the build process has been changed significantly. No more internal foam structures. Many knowledgeable Sunfish racers predict that this will effect the longevity of the hulls. The class (ISCA) can only provide input, but has no rights since they don't own the plans.
tillerman
Super Anarchist
They put it out to tender , it’s not their fault that none of your countries boat builders took them up on it because they thought your market wasnt big enough for them to make a profit ( you will never see a USA builder again) . Which is why LP didn’t surport it for the last decade, the moneys in Europe . Which is why you now have multiple European builders , who are happy to throw you a few containers of scraps to keep your market happy.
Any way I am sure you will be very happy in your Rocket, m scow, Force 5, UFO, Melges 14 or what ever home built singlehanded boat you decide on .
SimonN
Super Anarchist
ILCA don't sell anything, but don't let the truth get in the way of your prejudices. Just like the implied comment on quality, but if you don't want a Chinese built ILCA, you can buy one built in a wide range of places.
Can you show me the evidence of you complaining about LP stopping building in the USA? Did you campaign then to get people to buy other classes like you seem to be doing now? Why are you happy to tell people to buy a Sunfish built in Portugal but won't entertain an ILCA built in England, Italy, Australia Etc.
tillerman
Super Anarchist
The Laser has had multiple builders and from the early years has been built in multiple countries. It is sailed in a gazillion countries and, according to some people on this thread, is way more popular in Europe than it is in North America.
The Sunfish, on the other hand, has only had one builder at any one time and until recently was only built in the USA. It is way more popular in the USA than in any other country. I am pretty sure that more Sunfish have been sold in the US than any other class. For these reasons, at least to me, it feels like a much more "American" boat than a Laser. I know the Sunfish, was built for a while in China, the UK? and now Portugal but it's an American icon in a way that the Laser never was.
Of course Wess may have other reasons for recommending the Sunfish. I can't even begin to understand his logic on most issues discussed here.
The Sunfish, on the other hand, has only had one builder at any one time and until recently was only built in the USA. It is way more popular in the USA than in any other country. I am pretty sure that more Sunfish have been sold in the US than any other class. For these reasons, at least to me, it feels like a much more "American" boat than a Laser. I know the Sunfish, was built for a while in China, the UK? and now Portugal but it's an American icon in a way that the Laser never was.
Of course Wess may have other reasons for recommending the Sunfish. I can't even begin to understand his logic on most issues discussed here.
tillerman
Super Anarchist
JimC
Not actually an anarchist.
Its not hard to understand, Trolls just troll. A delight in irritating their fellow man is their only aim. There's no point in looking for a rational position when it simply doesn't exist.
tillerman
Super Anarchist
Bill5
Right now
A Sunfish? With messed up knees? Not sure multitasking should include walking with crutches. Think I’ll get an old IC when I get bored. Maybe become an ILCA rep to support the class that has done so much for me over the years.
I totally understand why the sunfish still has a place in the USA market but don’t understand how it got there. From a uk angle, Ian proctor designed the minisail which was a better sunfish and it was the best selling dinghy in Europe for a few years, But when the laser launched it killed it stone dead , can my USA friends explain why the Laser didn’t do this to the Sunfish? I am not trying to prove a point , I am just trying to understand USA sailing .
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tillerman
Super Anarchist
Bill5
Right now
