Carl <br> <br>You bring up some good points and I agree the devil is in the details. <br> <br>Lets go through this as a Q and A. My answers will be anoted with a @ <br> <br>Total weight -760 -combined boat and crew <br>Total sail = 550 sq ft ----any configuration - <br>@remember that this is under the assumption that we limit mast height to 31' 6" and that the mainsail can not extend past the 31' 6" height restriction. <br> <br>-Is there a max amount of weight a crew can carry ? <br>@ I believe that the boat should carry no more than 45 lbs of corrector weight and that the crew will not be able to carry any additional weight other than the aformentioned gear. (could you carry a camelback at weigh in? Yes --- if you would write a rule that it was an immediate dsq if the crew emptied the camelbak other than into themselves. <br> <br> <br>sail area ,--is there a max or min mainsail ? - <br>@ no max or min mainsail all sails are totaled. <br> <br>A max or min boat weight ? <br>@ no but boat and crew must weigh a total of 760lbs or be correctable as described. <br> <br>-Could a team build a boat with 550 sq ft main and jib ? <br>@ yes, but they would have a problem of getting it to fit and then controling it. <br> <br>-A 400 sq ft main ? <br>@yes, but fit and control become an issue. There are alot of these issues that play out due to practicality. Most of these extreme changes just will not work. So basically, these extremes bare no cause for concern. <br> <br>-Would all boats under this rule soon adopt huge mainsails with reef points and large furling hooters only ? ------ <br>@no, due to costs and practicality <br> <br>-If a mfg builds a beautifull lightweight 330 lb boat ,- <br>it would require a 430 lb crew , - <br>@ yes, or a crew that could correct to it. <br> <br>Would any manufacture this cat for only 400 plus lb crews ? <br>@doubtful, most manufacturers are in the business of building alot of boats cheap. So these ultra light weight boats that people discuss will be very rare and would only be suitable for certain conditions and race venues. Most people will just adjust what they have and come to race. Techno geeks will play but by and large the formula is basically sound. <br> <br>-If a team wanted a 350 lb boat but weighed 300 would they be allowed to carry 110 lbs of dead weight ? <br>@No, there has to be some level ground. What I would suggest is these two 150 lbs guys find another good sailor to sail with and expand the competiton out a bit. Think of it in this way. You have the team of Randy Smyth and Jason Sneed (two very skilled sailors sailing together at minimum) If they split and each find a 200 lbs guy you have two boats that can be very closely matched on all aspects creating two things more race teams and better competiton. There are alot of other classes where light weight crews can race and no other classes where heavier guys can race (competitively) We need to all recognize this and try to correct this. DO you need to have a combined weight of 300-325 lbs to race a cat? No, but unfortunatly alot of people think so. <br> <br>I think that a variable sail area format as compared to weight is not an equal format and for people that don't have a constant crew makes them invest in multiple out fitting of their boat. When it is much easier to find a crew and add abit of corrector instead if you have to. <br> <br>Thanks <br>Steve <br><br><br>
