Open BIC as People's Sailer

[Chris Ostlind]

A while back there was a thread about that other, People's boat, as supported by one, Mr. Lord. (Now who'd have thought that)

I never got into the foiler aspect of that design idiom because it was too complicated and too expensive. It was also not of the type of boat one would see on the beaches and docks of sailing programs around the world which would spring forth from Yacht Clubs, etc. This made the foiling genre products distinctly outside the flow, if you will, of modern sport boat thinking.

Forget the troublesome foiler mentality for the effete sailors who have the cash, the time and the sponsorship. I see the Poeple's boat idiom as one that brings more and more young people into the sailing world through fun boat design products that have sound connections to existing products. I would suggest that you look at the boats that really do get young people on the water on a fun, virtually maintenance free, sailing product that emulates, directly, the sport boats they will soon be gradutating into as teenagers and young adults.

If you want to sell boats, keep the spirit alive through participation and guarantee the success of the sailing tradition, you will look closely at the boats that have this design concept well in hand.

I share with you, again, the OpenBIC sailboat for kids and issue a challenge to any future designers to address this format if you want to get young people on the water.

This from XS Racing: http://www.xsracing.org/

Open Bic Hits West Coast

"Watching a Sabot sail by is like watching a little kid floating around in a white cardboard box. When are we going to treat our kids to something they actually want to sail in? The whole idea behind youth sailing is to turn the kids on to the sport of sailing, not make them feel like their riding around in the marine version of a freaking Edsel! "Here ya go Katey - get in your little Sabot and have fun going three knots. Oh and when you flip it - which you will - you'll have a blast bailing it out. It should only take you five or ten minutes, but then you'll be back to soaring through the waves in your rectangular box.' C'mon, folks let's get with it. Give the kids something they'll want to do without you bringing them to the YC for some program. Give them a little boat that grabs their attention. These little Open Bics are just that. They look and act like miniature sportboats and are durable and safe."

There is no foiling boat product that can compete at this price point for young kids sailing fleets. This boat will blow-off by any Opti pram, El Toro or any other previosly represented youth fleet boat with ease.

The future is now and it isn't in the foiling genre for a People's Boat.

The revolution has begun, again, without the need to foil.

Chris Ostlind

[Figgy]

But its a kids boat.. This is a Peoples boat as much as a foiler is.

[tmark]

I want 10 ... 1 for each of my kids, one for me, one for my wife, and the same for my buddy and his family ... they look like a blast, and I know the fight that would ensue around our dock would be deadly if I only ordered one!

Goodbye Byte ... any junior sailing coordinators see this?

[tmark]

Oh and Chris ... good post, good topic, good idea, but lay off Doug, man ... Trevor

[Crag Cay]

The 'anti-foiling' tirades are getting to be as irksome as the 'pro'.

[Chris Ostlind]

Thanks for the comments, Crag and tmark. I get the theme you are posting.

No longer a need to stomp the Doug.

Let's all move on with our own realities and build the sailing potential of the boats we like through incremental development.

Chris

[Shife]

Originally Posted by Figgy

But its a kids boat.. This is a Peoples boat as much as a foiler is.

It may be a kids boat, but several adults have tested it, and seem very fond of its performance. Kids outgrow Opti prams pretty quick. This one might keep them amused a bit longer.

[Figgy]

I've read nothing but good things, mostly. My point was its not really a "Peoples Sailer", it's targeted at a specific audience, not the general population. I'm not knocking the boat at all, I think it will be a huge hit! Truth be told, I'm not fond of the name. I hate to think in ten years I'll be cruising my Frigidaire 40' to Florida