Hi Mike
After reading the news release it stated >>Classes will consist of 18- and 20-foot production catamarans, factory spinnaker-rigged with beams of no more than 8.5 feet, including Inter 20, Nacra 6.0, Hobie 20,
and the NAF 18s.
We have a different race scoring theme with the Formula 18 class including all F-18s . Tigers --N-F18 -Mystere ,-Storm ,-Ventilo ,-etc in 04.
With production 20s we have potentially numerous existing production 8.5 beam 20 ft category cats available --Nacra 6/0 in different rig configurations --The N A 6/0 --Express ,-NE W SPIN --Original 6/0 ,-there are some with 350 spin and 270 spin sizes.
,-There is a dart 20 --a G Cat 20 --an Arc 20 ,--Hobie-20 -Mystere 6/0 --P-19 MX --INTER 20 -H FOX 20 --and listed is Formula 20 .
Also it was reported a new lightweight 20 will be out specifically designed with this race in mind though 100 Lbs lighter with more sail area in main and spin .
The Formula 18 class will require a seperate earlier start . Formula 18 relies on a basic Formula of equal Length beam weight and sail area of a targeted max.
Basic specs. covering more minor design details and basic max sail pattern size are covered in formula rules as well.
In the interest of fair equal sailing for the 20s racing 1000 miles it seems some similar basic equal rules specifying the basics are needed , just as has worked so well for Formula 18s. The basics of Length 20 -Beam 8.5 -Weight and max. sail area in main jib and spin for racing all 20s . These are outlined on the F-20 forum
http://www.catsailor.com/forums/sho...;view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&vc=1 One problem establishing the F-20 for the US was and IS the Inter 20 being built with 15 more sq ft in the main and lighter weight at 390 than internation F-20 RULES .
Another has been the existing N-6/0 that is within 7 sq ft of equal main and jib area of the I-20, but has adopted a 348 sq ft spin as compensation for its added boat weight and older rig and sail plan which seems fine .
Dispensation is given older original boats and it seems the N -6/0 is equivilant to the I-20 ,--If not then 6/0 sailors should address this and add modifications to equalize its speed potental.
By using the current I-20 as 20 class model of sail area -weight Length and beam we can accomplish a Formula Class for 20s.
In the interest of safety we should allow modifications like reefable mainsails and a change to stronger boards rudders ,along with any other modification within rules sailors wish to make particularly for this extreme type of ocean racing.
The alternative is to rely on the current handicap ratings , --this applied to a 1000 mile predominantly downwind race w spin that this handicap system is not based on or ever intended for .
-It is unsure how windspeeds are applied in 100 plus mile legs with several weather patterns encountered of different direction and strengths .
The dpn handicap rating numbers of the 20s listed vary greatly from 72 to 59.5-interestingly the Inter 20 rates 59.5 -the H-Fox 60.3 and they have a Formula 20 listing as 59,5 this would include any number of existing EU 20s --The Fox is actually the iF-20 in the US .
The Dart has a 72 ,It seems any could take an older cat design of several listed with very {different} rating and add a new spin and create a handicap rule beater.
The new boat at 100 Lbs less and more sail area will not have any basis for a handicap number. It should be on average % faster , but why race 1000 miles on very different weights and sail area boats?
Another example -The Arc 20 from the factory has a 61.5 -yet has larger mainsail jib and 70 sq ft larger spin at the same weight,----why would any realistically give this boat design a handicap time advantage over boats with lesser sail area ?
Boats in the 20 ft category could also race by seperate brand classes as per 03 ,but why ? Also this leaves several potential 20 boats with no class to race within ,-
The brand only mentality .
We need to get Hobie sailors racing in these events ,-not exclude any .
The ideal solution is to establish basic Length beam max. sail areas and weights in Formula that allows a variety of boats to race together as a class.
If this is established teams can then plan and build towards this with added safety features built in as well.
The new lighter boat could be built to equal sail area and use corrector weight .
The Arc could be ordered to equal sail areas and within pattern area per 20 rules .
Like several potential teams entering the Atlantic 1000 in the market for a new 20 -we are wondering what the exact rules are .
Should they purchase a new lighter boat with more sail area and leave the rest behind each day ,-
Should some purchase the Arc with larger sail area and be given handicap time advantage to boot .
The ideal seems to lead one logically to solve the numerous problems now and for future 1000 mile races to a Formula 20 class that allows all types of 20 ft 8,5 beam cat designs and their teams that sail them to race equally .
Just as the Formula 18s the same basics of length beam weight and sail area boats in class.
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