NAME CHANGE FOR LASER DINGHYHOME NEWSINDUSTRY NEWS NAME CHANGE FOR LASER DINGHY29 Apr 2019EmailShareFacebookLinkedInTwitterPrintThe class-approved Laser dinghy has changed its name to ‘ILCA Dinghy’ Photo: PixabayINDUSTRY DATABASEINTERNATIONAL LASER CLASS ASSOCIATIONThe International Laser Class Association (ILCA) has announced that all new, class-approved boats will be sold and raced under the ‘ILCA Dinghy’ name.The ILCA recently terminated the contract of long-time builder of the class dinghy, LaserPerformance, which owns the rights to the Laser trademark. Scuttlebutt Sailing News reports that the name change, effective from 25 April, will apply to all three rig sizes allowed by the ILCA Class but will not affect existing ILCA-authorised boats and equipment.”It’s a big change for a racing class that hasn’t seen anything like this in our almost 50-year history,” said class president, Tracy Usher.Industry supportTracy said the ILCA is grateful for the support from the racing community and sailing industry as the association looks to involve new manufacturers following the loss of LaserPerformance. She admitted that the timing was not ideal, but sought to reassure customers.”Europe may see a slight increase in delivery times, but other regions will soon see their orders filled more quickly and efficiently than under the previous builder,” she said.Olympics uncertaintyThe Laser dinghy has been used at the Olympics since the Atlanta games in 1996. Its use is guaranteed at the upcoming 2020 games in Tokyo but a decision is yet to be made for Paris 2024 and beyond.ILCA has said that it plans to contact its members, districts and national sailing federations over the next 30 days with guidance on how to easily order boats and equipment.

via Boating Business | Name change for Laser dinghy.

TALL SHIPS YOUTH TRUST NEW FLAGSHIP APPEALHOME NEWSINDUSTRY NEWS TALL SHIPS YOUTH TRUST NEW FLAGSHIP APPEAL11 Apr 2019EmailShareFacebookLinkedInTwitterPrintThe Tall Ships Youth Trust is raising money for a new flagship Photo: Tall Ships Youth TrustThe Tall Ships Youth Trust has launched an appeal to raise funds for a new flagship to help the next generation learn valuable life skills.The charity hopes to raise £5m for a new 24-berth schooner-type vessel which it will use to give disabled and disadvantaged young people physically and mentally challenging sail training adventures.Benefiting from the charity is Josh who was 16 when he first set sail with the trust. “Honestly, I don’t think I’d be around anymore without my initial voyage,” he said. “Tall Ships was the spark needed to ignite my trail of fortunate events in life.”Five million pounds will enable the charity to buy a vessel on the open market, re-engineer the internal layout to take groups of young people and buy the equipment needed to ensure she meets Maritime and Coastguard Agency standards.NamingAll donations are welcome with £20 allowing the purchase of a safety harness and £1000 providing a full medical kit. Commercial sponsorship opportunities include naming the ship or a voyage, sponsoring a berth and having the company logo worn by staff, supporters and voyagers together with a mention on the charity’s website.Former director of BAE Systems, Sir Richard Olver, is giving his backing to the charity’s latest endeavour. “I want as many young people as possible to have an opportunity to sail with us, particularly those who have had a tough start in life,” he said. “In a world that can exclude young people, sailing as part of a Tall Ships Crew makes for an inclusive and truly empowering few days.”

via Boating Business | Tall Ships Youth Trust new flagship appeal.

LASERPERFORMANCE REBUTS ILCA LICENCE CLAIMS

HOME NEWSBOATBUILDINGBOATBUILDING LASERPERFORMANCE REBUTS ILCA LICENCE CLAIMS

04 Apr 2019

Email

Share

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

Print

LaserPerformance has responded to ILCA’s claims that it refused to allow its manufacturing facilities to be inspected Photo: pixabay

INDUSTRY DATABASE

LASER PERFORMANCE

Dinghy manufacturer, LaserPerformance, has hit back at the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) following its decision to revoke the manufacturer’s licence, calling its claims ‘falsehoods’ and ‘misleading’.

The ILCA has revoked LaserPerformance’s right to supply the dinghies amid concerns that the manufacturer has refused access to allow the boats to be inspected.

The contract between the two is subject to an agreement first put in place in 1998 allowing ILCA to use the Laser trademark. This agreement is due to be renewed on 31 August 2019.

Refused to renew contract

In a statement issued on Facebook, LaserPerformance asserts that ILCA has ‘steadfastly’ refused to renew the agreement meaning that the manufacturer is reluctant to allow inspection by the ILCA with only five months before the licence expires. LaserPerformance also states that it allows inspection by other regulatory bodies.

LaserPerformance also points out that seeking new manufacturers for Laser products is only possible outwith LaserPerformance’s territory and that it has successfully defended encroachment on to its territories in the past. LaserPerformance territory covers all regions except Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Korea.

Olympics concerns

As a result of this, LaserPerformance raises concerns that the 2024 Olympics will be affected, pointing out that France is in a LaserPerformance region and therefore only LaserPerformance boats would be authorised.

To ‘prevent the implosion of the Laser class organisation’ LaserPerformance urges ILCA to sign the renewal agreement and also recommends that the organisation returns to Europe where three quarters of Laser sailors live and sail.

via Boating Business | LaserPerformance rebuts ILCA licence claims.

CLIPPER SIGNS WITH HYDE SAILS AGAIN

HOME NEWSAFTERMARKETMASTS, SPARS, SAILS & RIGGING CLIPPER SIGNS WITH HYDE SAILS AGAIN

05 Apr 2019

Email

Share

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

Print

Hyde Sails is to partner with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race for the next two editions

INDUSTRY DATABASE

HYDE SAILS LTD

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has renewed its partnership with Hyde Sails for a further two editions of the event.

Hyde Sails was initially appointed official supplier to the 2009 – 10 race and since then has designed, developed and produced the sail wardrobes for the fleet.

“The challenging 40,000nm race route enable Hyde Sails to continually test and develop our sails in the most extreme conditions and translate the learnings into other products across the business,” said Nigel Grogan, Hyde Sails MD.

Clipper Race chairman and founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston added: “As a global sailing race the importance of our sail supplier is crucial to the performance of our yachts and the success of each campaign.

“Hyde Sails proven record of quality, durability and level of professional support to the Clipper Race team over the last ten years means that our relationship continues to grow and I look forward to another exciting edition being powered by Hyde Sails.”

Modifications

Each edition has seen improvements and modifications to the sails. For the 2019-2020 edition, changes include a development of the flyaway spinnaker containment tabs fitted to the luff of the downwind sails as a sustainable alternative to wool.

There have also been changes to the fore and aft sails and small construction changes on spinnakers to aid performance and longevity.

The agreement will also include support from Hyde Sails in the form of sail care training for skippers and crew.

The Clipper 2019-20 Race will begin this summer from the UK with stopping in South America, South Africa, Australia, China and the USA, before returning to the UK 11 months later.

via Boating Business | Clipper signs with Hyde Sails again.

ILCA REVOKES LASERPERFORMANCE LICENCE

HOME NEWSBOATBUILDINGBOATBUILDING ILCA REVOKES LASERPERFORMANCE LICENCE

29 Mar 2019

Email

Share

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

Print

LaserPerformance has lost its licence to supply the ILCA with Laser dinghies Photo: pixabay

INDUSTRY DATABASE

LASER PERFORMANCE

The International Laser Class Association (ILCA) has revoked the licence of long-time builder of the class dinghy, LaserPerformance.

ILCA reports that the Anglo-American manufacturer breached the terms of the Laser Construction Manual Agreement (LCMA) by failing to ensure the identical nature of all Laser class boats, regardless of where they are built.

Class president, Tracy Usher said that ILCA was disappointed to see the long and productive relationship come to an end. “We had to move ahead in order to protect the level of competition and the investment for the 14,000 members of the International Laser Class and the more than 50,000 sailors around the world who regularly sail the Laser dinghy,” she explained.

No other option

With its UK-based manufacturing facility, LaserPerformance was the ILCA-approved builder producing boats for most of Europe, Asia and the Americas. In a statement, Tracy said that the ICLA was left with ‘no option’ after the builder’s refusal to allow inspection of the boats being built in their manufacturing facility.

There are two other manufacturers of class legal boats, one in Japan and another in Australia. With these firms picking up the slack, ILCA expects the disruption to be minimal or non-existent and executive secretary, Eric Faust, has emphasised that the 2020 Olympics and other major ILCA events will be unaffected.

“Doing what’s right for the sailors is really all that matters,” said Eric. “We’re confident that we’ll see new builders coming on line soon and that we’ll once again have a robust dealer network around the world in plenty of time for the lead up to the 2024 Olympics.”

via Boating Business | ILCA revokes LaserPerformance licence.