Pardon me highlighting the following comments but they do really show why H16's and "brand only" are not the future to catamaran sailing. And why the "dude boats" (a misnomer in my opinion) and mixed regatta's are.
I quote :
Events like this have the ability to do wonders for cat racing.
Several people came up to me at the club and made the standard comments like, "I sailed a Hobie 16 back in the day..." But then several people added, "I never realized how fast those spnnaker rigged cats go,
...
One guy even said, "It's f*****ing incredible how fast those things are downwind". So there was definitely an air of amazement.
There was a time when either had their day, but those days are gone and we can't get them back by doing what we always did.
A new playbook is required and it will be really helpful when all cat builders are on board with that.
Wouter
Wouter, I'm assuming you're referencing the Hobie 16 when you say: 'There was a time when either had their day, but those days are gone and we can't get them back by doing what we always did.' I have to disagree, the Hobie 16 has done and still does exceptionally well with an OD philosphy and as an OD class, they also seem to be pretty happy with their class.
The H16 class consistantly get's numbers at almost every regatta I attend and if we are measuring success by numbers it clearly shows the model works.
Your constant poo pooing of OD racing is as tiresome as my hardon for hanidcap racing, let's both take a break.
