Time waits for no-one and it seems barely feasible that it is almost 3 months since our last communication. Benjamin Franklin once famously said ‘never confuse motion with action’ and with that in mind I think the SSAA can also safely say that there has been plenty of both action and motion since the last communication. So on with the news;
Update on Sail Evaluation Process
Probably the most important piece of information in this communication is the update on the sail evaluation process. There are a number of key developments that have taken place which the SSAA is pleased to advise about however, there are a couple of key pieces of information that need to be confirmed before the National titles at Wallaroo in 2020
The Current Sabre Sail will be the only legal Sabre sail at Wallaroo for the 2020 Nationals.
The Sail Evaluation Process does not mandate that a new sail design will result.
The timeline to introduce any potential sail design change has not been determined
We understand that some sailors are potentially holding off the purchase of new sails. Please be advised that the current Sabre sail will be the official Sabre sail for the Nationals in 2020. Additionally, the Sail Evaluation Process that is currently underway does not automatically indicate that a new Sabre sail will eventuate and lastly that the SSAA recognises that the timeline to introduce a new sail design will need to occur over at least one full season if not longer.
Sail Evaluation Team Appointed
The Sail Evaluation Team has been appointed and the initial meetings and sessions have already been completed with programmes, timelines and development strategies being defined. We take this opportunity to introduce the sail evaluation team (SET) and we are fortunate we could convince a group of experienced, talented and dedicated individuals to be involved in this programme. The philosophy underlying the team structure was to develop a small group of Sabre experienced personnel but who will consult with a much wider group. Importantly, individuals with the correct skill set and who had experience of Class transition was a critical factor. The team members are:
Gary McLennan – National Measurer
Gary is well known to many of us as the National Measurer. Equally Gary is known to us as that uncanny sailor who finds himself out the front no matter what the weather gods throw at us. Gary has been involved with Sabres now for 10 years and the sailing scene for over 40 years, and Gary has had significant expertise in navigating change as experienced in other classes such as the Sharpie (Australian champion)
Brent Frankcombe
Brent has enjoyed many successes in Sabres, but what many don’t know about Brent is that he is a past or current champion in a multitude of classes such as Cherub, Javelin, Moth, SB20, Flying Fifteens and has a multitude of championship wins in keelboat racing. When he finds the time Brent campaigns a B14 and is a recent National champion. To add to all this Brent is a qualified sailmaker and has extensive expertise in sail design and development.
John Gratton
John has been around Sabres longer than most. He has 16 South Australian state championships under his belt and has been a past National champion in Sabres. There is very little that John doesn’t know about the Class and he was heavily involved in the development of the GRP boats in the early 2000’s which helped propel class numbers by developing the excellent boats we have today
Sail Evaluation Team Brief
The Sail Evaluation Team (SET) will act independently from the SSAA and will report its finding and outcome as the evaluation progresses. A complete design evaluation brief and criteria is being formulated by the SET, in conjunction with the SSAA. There are a few key defining philosophies that the SSAA believe are critical and essential for this programme to be a success and with a ‘best for Sabre’ outcome. These are:
The evaluation process will be transparent, independent and impartial
The evaluation team members possess the requisite skill, experience and knowledge of sail design, boat construction and the Sabre Dinghy to fulfil the evaluation role
The outcome of the Sail Evaluation process will be in the best interest of the Sabre Class and its members and will consider factors such as cost, sail design, durability, function and aesthetics.
Any new sail design shall ensure that the Sabre identity is maintained to the maximum extent possible
The existence of any current alternative Sabre sails provides no indication of the outcome of the SET review process
Any new design that evolves from the SET evaluation process will not:
Result in generally reduced fleet numbers due to a narrower range of suitable sailors
Result in a marked difference in the required qualities of the ideal Sabre sailor due to parameters of weight, age, increased skills or gender
Show bias to a narrow range of sailing or sea state conditions
Result in significantly increased costs for the Sabre Sailor
SWOT Analysis Completed (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) - see below
Firstly, as indicated in the previous communication the SSAA has now completed the Sabre SWOT analysis. This exercise has been developed to formulate what the SSAA consider to be the relevant factors that define the Sabre Class and from this evaluation then identify what are the strategic initiatives we could consider as a sailing class. This list was then reviewed based on the initiatives that are considered will offer benefit should they be pursued. A copy of this evaluation is attached to this communication
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
REVIEW of CLASS DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS. - MAY 2019
Background
The Sabre was designed in 1974 and is one of the most recognized and popular classes in Australia with over 2,100 boats worldwide. Its growth outstrips most locally designed classes
The Sabre is actively sailed and raced in all States of Australia and the ACT
The Sabre Class and its governing bodies must continually reassess its market position, relative strength and future direction
The Sabre Class and its governing bodies must be mindful of the changing landscape of sailing. This change could emanate from technology, competition, other classes, Sabre sailors, or legislation.
The Sabre Class and its governing bodies needs to respond accordingly to these changes and review the need to implement strategic change in the Class
Context
The previous successes of the Sabre class are no guarantee of future successes
The Sabre Class has remained largely unchanged for most of its 45-year history
The advent of GRP hulls from the mid 2000’s is demonstrably the single largest change to the Class
This initiative resulted in a significant boost to class health and sailing numbers
There are possibly several options available to the Class that could be reviewed with a potential to implement any one or several of them for Class benefit
SSAA considers it timely to undertake an analysis (SWOT) to assess possible future strategies for the Sabre class
The adoption of any initiative would need to be considered on the merits to the Sabre Class around cost, benefit, disruption, impact and urgency
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Light weight, inexpensive, good value for money.
Good range of quality boat builders and sailmakers
Wide range of entry boat prices
Large numbers of active Sabre clubs
Large fleet numbers at State and Nationals regattas and strong fleets in most clubs where Sabres are sailed
Strong and readily identifiable brand (especially red sail tops)
Excellent culture in most states
Engaged, active, and passionate state and national organisations
Class has previously struck correct balance between being progressive and maintaining class identity (e.g. GRP hulls)
High level of sailing comfort, enjoyable performance in waves and strong breezes
Comfortable to sail vs ‘old and heavy’ Laser
Wide range of sailor sizes, Nationals and States won by 60-85kg sailors
Boat has a long life, holds its value and utility.
Little expense to keep boats competitive
Tight rules but with capacity to personalise
40-year-old boats do race, and look similar.
Weaknesses
Lack of ease of purchasing a new ‘sail away’ Sabre
Sabres do not generally have a ready stock of replacements that are off -the shelf
Some lack of standardization in Sabre fit out and hardware.
Delivery times for new boats can be variable and/or long compared to our competitors
Lack of quality second hand boats on the market (most likely because upgrading to a new boat has a long lead time)
Performance challenge for some light and heavy sailors
Perception of an ‘old person’s boat’
Few young sailors
Not international
Not considered sexy
Opportunities
Increase aesthetics of the class
Increase appeal to young sailors vs the Laser, Impulse (47kg) and Aero
Improve build times for new boats
Review design of various elements of the Sabre with options
Review use of new materials, designs and performance enhancements but ensure we maintain our Sabre identity
Develop design with longer sailing life
Define our market and target these markets
Threats
The marked increase of well-funded, professionally sponsored entrants eg Aero’s and possibly improved, professionally backed Laser.
Perception of being stuck in the past, non-progressive
Splintering of the fleet, particularly in WA
Cost of change eg new sail at say $1,000 or so.
Review of Potential Strategic Initiatives
Initiative
Potential Implementation
Impact
Decision
New foil design
Significant Cost increase
Retro fitting centre cases in all existing boats
Large amount of disruption to the class
Potential loss of sailors as a result
Not to pursue
New Mast or Boom Design.
Significant Cost increase
Potential retro fitting to existing boats
Not considered significantly advantageous with existing design
Reconsider when production issues emerge with current aluminium design
Not to pursue
Modify or new Sail design
Calls for this to be considered
Will require long period of evaluation
Least expensive and easiest way to modernise the look of the Sabre.
Important that the ‘brand image’ be maintained
Current sailors must not be disadvantaged.
Current sailing demographic and skill set must be maintained
Seek Sabre sailor input through Class referendum
Pursue
Improve Boat Delivery times
Current delivery times 3-6 months
Work collaboratively with certified builders to develop programme for improved delivery
Relatively high initial cost with no ongoing cost
Pursue
Improve Sabre Standardisation
Lack of inter-operability of some Sabre fittings
Can be simplified but still allow boats to be personalised
Should result in less cost for new Sabres
Simpler process for new buyers when dealing with boat builders
Improved spare parts availability
Improved boat availability
Pursue
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