Hi Scoob
interesting subject --ratings ,--finding, creating or development of the ideal rating system has eluded all so far ,it has been a problem throughout sailing history in all sailing classes ,-see the history of the Americas Cup as one example of ever changing rating systems , yet the intent and sport has remained much the same .

The quote was from a post below on an outline of ideas or a recomended method of combining rating systems , design measurement and yardstick types together,which seems possible.

Adding a windspeed category to ISAF -Texel design measurement type rating systems would be the ideal means of factoring in beam ,as beam becomes a major factor only when the wind picks up to trapping speed ,-for many modern cat designs around 8 mph winds . 2 windspeed categories may be the solution to add the beam equation to the rating system . Texel originally intended to use 2 windspeeds ,If this approach were added Texel can easily adjust its equation to reflect lighter wind speeds in which the actual ELAPSED time differences of various boats are greater, then use the lower number in the upper wind range along with certain design factors that change more in the upper range .
Believe the total power equation was factored originally by 100 then revised to 102,-but this may simply reflect most regattas being held in higher windspeeds ,again where varied designs finish more closely in actual elapsed time around the course than in lighter winds at slower speeds where speed differences and elapsed times between them are greater.
Non board types [H-16S etc. }are given a handicap factor in ISAF -Texel,but this average factor becomes lesser in the higher wind speed range . As the hulls or assymetric type hulls are depressed further in the water and begin to work at higher speeds they become more effecient and effective At higher speed more upwind lateral resistance is from hull form so again there is the availability by adding a 2nd winspeed based category to adjust the non board types rating to reflect this.
The occurance of non board type cat designs often winning or placing high in Texel rated events in higher wind conditions explains ,and is partially the cause of this and would be remedied with the wind speed non board advantage being reduced in the upper range.

Understand the rated sail area method of measurements that equate main and jib aspect ratio ,-but does not currently consider spin aspect ratio,-only spin sq ft , Texel uses one penalty for all spinnakkers over a certain size in length category , It penalizes any spin over 270 in the 20 ft length category for example. Spin aspect ratio on modern cat design should be a factor in rating .
The whole rated sail area equation may be reviewed and simplified though I,ve been told by noted designers that many modern mainsails could reduce area and maintain the same mast height resulting in a higher aspect ratio mainsail and have nearly identical sailing performance through the mid windspeed range and better once in higher windspeed overpowered conditions encountered. light wind condition are only marginally different with the advantage to sail area .Yet sail area is heavily penalized evan in the upper wind ranges as most know that have traveled to the islands to race under Texel rating in high wind events.
Development type classes like the A class eventually find the ideal mast height and mainsail aspect ratio within a limited sq ft -which is 150 for the A class .
Perhaps this may be applied or simplify the rated sail area aspect of rating.
Reef systems on cats are beginning to be used again, so again maybe a review of rated sail area and rating equation for cats is due if a windspeed category is added .

This higher windspeed category could also allow other design factors to be considered ,but at some point the system becomes too complex for any except a few to fully comprehend so it must at some point deal in generalities and leave it to the designers of sailing craft to develop and perfect design without consideration of artificial handicap aspects that have so often in history shaped undisirable features to beat the rating game .-
That is why the wizdom of the ISAF rating states clearly the preference to race boats when ever possible in OD or Formula classes . That seems the best answer.

I,m no ratings expert or great statistical annalysist or mathmatician but just enjoy the discussion of ideas on the subject and comprehend the basics of design and applied rating systems ,the outline recommendation to attempt to combine the rating systems may try the 2 windspeed approach in some refined form as elaborated on and think it is important to change the scale to the P rating system and factor in actual times in class as a percentage of total final rating number each season. P rating attempts to equate the rating number with real time to distance traveled . This being more easily used for comparative annalysis and verification of final rating numbers accuracy ,and also a means to rate with other sailing types and mono classes if desired.

I,m in the Great Lakes area but try to follow the interesting events and reports and stories in the UK through the catamaran co uk site
all the best scoob
Carl