Difference between a Crusader and a Crusader 88?

[andymck]

You would have to be mad to swap Gillespie for a dagger board bouncer. Don't get me wrong, the bouncer was a great boat, but they disappeared quickly after the baggy and the crusader arrived on the scene. Gillespie is a great all round boat, and I doubt that a bouncer would go any better in the short chop that you describe. It will take some practice, but Tony was pretty quick in most conditions, only struggling against the baggy downwind in a real blow, and I bet he would disagree with me there. Those Rowsell Crusaders were probably the best boats around until the D8 and chapters appeared. This showed in their second hand value in the late 80's and early 90's when I was looking for my first competitive 12, when I had Bicycle Clips.

Andy