1981 was patent year for 8XL but it did not come out until a lot later. John Pizzey was the patent attorney then. I think 1983 was the year they were produced with electric start and no fibreglass components. I left the firm just after the Americas cup was won by Bond. Mr Kerr was head of the design dept from 1974 and past 1984. I thought he was really good at his job but others disagreed. If only I knew what I know now when I was younger.
