Rick-
But Dave's obviously got the "sailing genes"!!
That was a fun time and a great regatta- Thanks again!
As for the mid-girth "rule", I'm sure it is derived from a monohull based definition of what a "spinnaker" is-
But the reality is at the current time (and certainly when we were setting up the class rules a few years ago) this is the "definition" and the ratings for the Hooter would hit the class hard, at least in Europe.
I just got an "experimental" spinnaker from Goodall myself so someone else can pony up for the Calvert this year.
If no one has by next season and my current one doesn't work out like I want I may give it a try. You know I'm not afraid to try new things- Bought the first US Taipan 4.9 sight unseen.

Kirt