I just watched the archive of the 2000/2001
race and was struck by how much the boats were using
gear that could be used on a cruising
boat. The boats themselves were not way out of line from a cruiser. Now they are strictly
racing boats and not much of the
gear could be useful to a normal cruising boat. This has happened over the short 16 yr. time span. I would like to see them go back to a more realistic style of boat. I know it wont happen but it would be nice if it did. Help improve cruising boats rather than specialize as flat out racers.
I suppose that cruisers benefit from some fallout in
electronics and sail material but very little else could be adapted to a cruising boat.