>>Note: measurement rating systems like texel and SCR also have a tough time fairly rating the uni rigs against the sloops.

As a matter of fact the reason why these issues exist in both Texel and SCHRS (ISAF) is CHOICE !

About a 1 to 1.5 years ago I worked out two simple modifications that adressed the uni-rig problem, the singlehander problems (less fast at higher speeds) and the unwillingness of the RC to use large list of winddependent numbers. And I shared the result with you Mark. Sadly both sides of the Atlantic shot down the mods mostly by decision. The European side felt that nothing was wrong with the system while the other side never gave an reply.

Fact is that the Texel/SCHRS system can easily be modified to correct the most clearing issues thus making it easily to most easy to maintain and also the most fair system around. That is unless some serious changes to the yardstick systems are made as well. In some cases very serious modifications.

Anyway I have send the system, that is based on real life findings as well as experiments performed by Bethwaite and Marchaj to the Texel committee and there is rests up till now. I've left the Texel committee as an adviser and may launch this system as freeware over the coming weeks. Now it is doing nothing and that is a pitty of all the effort that went into it.

The NMBR (New measurement based) and SMBR (Simulation based Measurement Systems) are both available to everybody that wants to see it and maybe use it for racing.

Both are highly comparable to the Texel (SCHRS) systems and used the same data with the added measurements of width. That is all. The 2 rating numbers generated work in the same way as the all other numbers. You get 1 numbers for sub trapeze conditions and 1 numbers for conditions were crews trapeze out. No windgauges required, any RC can see by looking at the boats what kind of conditions they have on their hands.

By more importantly about this post is the following.

If the sailors want a better mouse trap than they need to campaign for it themselfs. Putting your trust in national organisations will not work. Too much politics and "When I was young, we did it ..." talk.

The solution is available ; do you guys want it or not. If you don't than we can all better shut-up because we are just b!tching for b!tching sake not because we really want a better system.

Regards,

Wouter