Bob,

No worries, man... I've said my piece, made the best arguments I could, and it's up to the "real people" (the ones not firmly on one side or the other) to decide.

Here's my version of a wrapup:

I really do understand what you're saying about rated sail area...I just think that, if you really believed that there was "no advantage" to a taller mast, you wouldn't want the option to have one ;-)

Personally, I think that higher aspect, in moderate winds, with the right weight, might be a hair faster upwind. I just don't think it's enough to warrant the psychological impact it has on the class.

Good luck, and I'll still race ya' boat for boat even if you do have a dang 9 meter mast.

Michael Coffman

T4.9#32

P.S.

Thanks - this was the best discussion I've had in a long time.