MHB
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<br>If you have read all the posts on this forum you can see that the majority have decided to find a niche above the working weight zones of the F18 class so that:
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<br>majority ?? Sorry I don't see this.
<br>There are but a few of us participating on the F20 Forum. I have yet to find someone in my area with a 20 footer who thinks a 350 pound minimum weight rule is anywhere near reasonnable for a 20 foot class.
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<br>A. we are not competing directly with another class (a revamp of the hobie/Nacra marketing plan that has just about killed the sport)
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<br>** What kind of argument is this ? From what I see, people who want to sail a 20 footer do so for no other reason than that's what they want. What has killed the sport is the high prices involved with sailing. It was tough enough for some thinking they would have to buy an extra jib for there Mystere/Nacra 6.0, Hobie 20 and so on, and now you're telling them they have to buy a new boat(18).
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<br>B. Open up a class where it is easier for sailors of all type to find a boat/fleet/area that they are comfortable in competing in. IE small guys in the F18 where they can control it, larger guys in the NAF 20 where the have the power to compete in lighter air.
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<br>** I guess Randy has difficulty controling a 20 footer. Maybe that's why he is so often ahead, he simply looses control and the boat just takes off on him (in the right direction). Oh, and he's not the only lightweight hot shot cat sailor on a 20 footer.
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<br>Also, the object is to work WITH other classes in order to bring NEW sailors to the SPORT instead or churning the pot of the existing catsailors and competing for this ever DECREASING pool of sailors.
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<br>** How is setting a high minimum crew weight "working WITH other classes". So often you will see the same crew competing(sometimes winning) in one Nationnal event only to turn around and do it in another class in the same year.
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<br>Please, think about this and I think you'll agree that it is best for all.
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<br>** Have you thought about it ??
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<br>What are you trying to creat
<br>e ? Do you really think that other 20 footers will have any interest in joining such a class when they don't come anywhere near what you suggest.
<br>What if the class rules went the other way and decided that the minimum boat weight should be 440 pounds(more like many 20 footers) wich is very much in line with the arguments you have given regarding crew weight. Would you be interested in adding 40 pounds to your boat to meet minimum ?
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<br>What is wrong with a weight to sail area ratio ? Are you afraid of fair racing for all ?
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<br>marc
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