Carl <br> <br>The one thing your missing here is mass. As in mass of sailors. The more sailors in the more that can compete in future variations on future boat designs. <br> <br>Basically, we are creating a "grandfather" class that gets all existing boats competing against each other. <br> <br>Now to do this you make a level field for all manufacturers to compete against. Now will manufacturers build a lighter boat? History tells us no. Basically for cost concerns. Is it cheaper to build a heavier boat in mass production? Yes. If we have a formula that will set a presidence for a bunch of new designs that all weigh in around 400lbs we are sure to get that from the manufacturers. Alot like nascar -- it did not really take off until the governing body made all things equal. Then manufacturers started making race cars to compete head to head. If you live in florida go to Daytona's speedway and go through the museum. They really play this point home! <br> <br>Will we fat our way out of a class? No, we bring a class format that can bring sailors from other boats to race on cats. I really in my heart of hearts believe this to be true. We have formula classes for all types of people if your under 325 then go race formula 18. It best suits your physical size. The Formula 20's give the other teams a good playing field. There are a whole lot more teams that are over 325 than under. And if we basically set rules that say this is the leveler than we can recruit to that standard. For new boats that is. Really, 325 is light when your talking about that much sail area. <br> <br>Now, about the main and jib comment. Barry I know you have sailed a nacra 6.0 na worrell rigged boat. Would you put a larger main and jib on that boat? No you wouldn't. Maybe a slightly bigger main (squaretop -- which is easier to control) and the stock jib (on a roller furler -- sure if thats what you want to better control the boat). No boat in F20 would compete without a spinnaker or reacher. NONE, first off it would make you last everytime and second class rules would state to be comprised of main/jib ( and/or any combination there of) and spin/reacher not to exceed 550 sq ft. <br> <br>Mast height should be limited to 31'6" which I believe is the longest mast in the "grandfather" fleet. If it is 32' then thats the tallest mast. And a rule should read that the main can not exceed the 31'6" or 32' (which ever is the longest mast as mentioned) height. This will allow boats like the fox and H20 to "notch" their headboard to make the squaretop main extend upto 6 inches taller than their mast which would make the sailarea the same size/height as the I20/n6.0 NA. <br> <br>The assoc. will have to address the future boats as they get here and deal with what exists now. If in the future it becomes cheap to build carbon boats that weigh 190lbs then and I mean THEN is the time to address that. AND at that time we could make an "HP" class that will eventually takeover F20. And I mean YEARS (5-10) down the line. <br> <br>For further clarity: <br>THe basics are: <br> <br>Boat and crew combined weight = 760lbs min (unless corrected to) <br>Total sail area = 550sq ft (max. -- less is legal) <br>Corrector weight = 45lbs max -- carried on boat. (If the crew is light a couple of pounds (they can carry a camelbak but must maintain the water in the pack or in thier bodies and I mean a couple 1-3pounds) <br>Mast height == 31'6" max (unless 32 is the tallest mast in grandfather fleet) <br> <br>Grandfather fleet consists of , Hobie fox, Hobie 20, Prindle 19, N6.0 Na, Mystere 6.0, Inter 20 -- these boats represent the majority of manufactured boats available in the US. <br> <br>Any other boat that meets the following basic rules: <br>20 foot length <br>8'6" beam (max) <br>31'6" mast (max) <br>total sail area 550 sq foot consisting of main and spinnaker/gennaker or main/jib and spinnaker/gennaker <br>Snuffer -- legal <br>Roller furling -- legal (jib and gennaker) <br>Spinnaker pole (undetermined length legal) <br>two or three man crew legal (concession to the skinny fleet) <br>safety gear onboard at all times <br>vests must be worn at all times <br>masts/rudders/daggars/ and spin pole can be made out of any material as long as boat/crew meet weight minimum <br>Masts must be water tight <br> <br> <br>Thats the basics <br> <br>Steve<br><br>
