Comments on this site are not necessarily the opinion of the Dart 15 committee.
Comments are not moderated and people's screen names may not be accurate.
I am sure those Sprint 15 sailors with a hands-on manufacturing background will be fully aware of the challenges Windsport faces and that the retail price of items such as class mainsails is part of a package to keep the Sprint 15 class in production and on the water. The margin made on all items contribute to maintaining the stock and accessibility of ALL Sprint 15 parts. If Windsport only chose to focus on stocking sails and similar items, had not invested in the production of new boats, withdrawn from providing event and technical support, price on these few items could be reduced.
To continue providing new boats and replacement parts Windsport /Ian Fraser has just invested thousands of pounds in commissioning new beam extrusion dies + placed orders and financed a minimum requirement run of 80 front beam and 120 rear beam extrusion stock, enough to keep the class going for a few years. The next step is trampoline track and traveller track which without further investment the class would have no new boats and no replacement trampoline track.
The facts are simple yes there is always an alternative but only at a cost that puts the class at risk. Manufacturing has to look at the bigger picture as I am sure those passionate about the class do also.
Windsport is mindful of retail price, the access to new boats and the continued success of the class.
You cannot get one without the other which why the price of a class mainsail is fair realistic and reasonable when you consider the size of the class and compare it with other production one design classes.
Brian Phipps
Windsport. The manufacture of the Sprint 15 catamaran.
Hi there you could always buy the white sail, then purchase some coloured spinnaker repair tape and make your own design.
Thats if all you want is to make it stand out.
The best Sprint 15 sail I have ever seen had a picture of Pooh Bear being lifted up by a string of balloons (sail no. 1862 but the only pic on the website has the boat without said main on it). It was by a member of Herne Bay SC and was always easy to spot on the water from my usual back of fleet position at nationals lol
Martin S.
Ex Sprint 15 Webmaster
Ex Seasalter SC Webmaster
RYA Regional Race Officer (South East Region) (Expired)
RYA Club Race Coach (Expired)
RYA Dinghy Sailing Instructor (Expired)
Does anyone have a 2nd sail for my 1784?
The one I have blew out on a gibe in a squall in Croatia last September.
It just split from luff to leach to luff at the 2nd batten.
A good local repair was done with tape and stitch by Northsail rep., but don't think I can reply on it for this years trip.
lol
