Dear all,
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<br>I feel that mark and Steve have said it perfectly and "we" as one of those named classes will work together with you in a setup like that. This was also our intend from the beginning which one of the first texts put out by the group shows.
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<br>It deals with the concepts of equal performance classes and it also described as the formula of formula's.It will stimulate proper development of a related formula class BUT still allow BLUE SKY development (Carl?) :
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<br>Please take the time to read it it can alsobe found at link(scrolldown halve a page):
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<br> http://www.geocities.com/F16HPclass/F16HP_general_intro.html
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<br>---Our view on a Formula based catamaran class ---
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<br>We feel that the biggest danger to the Formula scene right now is for the manufacturers and unsatisfied sailors start creating more and more different formula classes eventually recreating the current problem of many small incompatible catamaran classes condemned to handicap racing. Several examples of this can be named, a few brands have already launched their own particular implementation of a so called "F16 boat" even though there has been no F16 framework or association yet. The result is that several designs have been offered with big differences in important performance determining parameters. For example, a weight difference of no less than 55 kilograms between two so called "F16" designs built by two well known manufacturers of beach catamarans.
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<br>We feel that the biggest benefit of a formula class based race scene is to have a limited amount of large fleets of independent but still equally performing designs with a high standard of racing. Therefore the following paragraph explains our views on formula racing as a whole. The F16 HP class will fully comply with the (Equal Performance classes) principle described there
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<br>---The concept of equal performance classes ----
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<br>The formula concept has already done alot for small catamaran sailing in the EU and is expected to do alot more for it in the future. However the need for a higher and governing formula for formula classes arises, meaning that the relationship between formula classes should be regulated too. The penalty for not achieving this is uncontrolled creation of unrelated formula classes and eventually ending up with the problems of the old, diluted, catamaran scene but with new class names. The following proposed concept is completely adopted by the new F16HP framework, and is even one of its design goals. It is also viewed as the methode of grandfathering in the old, non formula, catamaran designs into the formula scene (and F16HP) thus maintaining the low budget entry in to catamaran sailing for beginners. The last is of paramount importance for maintaining a thriving catamaran scene, even more so now that new designs are getting more and more expensive.
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<br>The proposed formula for formulas should fix a small number of "main performance classes" to which individual formula classes should be assigned. This way, we can have unlimited formula classes and still race together more fairly and "one-design like" in a few main performance classes (meaning fleets). In each of these classes a head formula is appointed and to the actual performance of this formula shall the other classes inside the same performance class be made equal. The last is done by specifying the individual Formula rules in such a way that the framework is forcing the general design into the same (or similar) performance. Old designs are grandfathered in by making small modifications so their performance falls into their nearest performance class. The catamaran design incorporates a few factors that can be used as equalizers; to name but three, Jib size, genaker size and boat width. Notice that the impact of these is nearly independend of eachother. Therefor they are well suited to boost the performance of a particular design on a particular course. For more in dept analysis of the concepts behind this claim go to the main F16HP page and view the mathematical performance comparison pages; the links are given at the top of the page.
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<br>The "Formula of formulas" may well look like this :
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<br>* Performance class 1 (might well be made equal to Hobie 16 performance)
<br> F16 = head class inside PC 1 (F16 does not exist yet)
<br> Open old boat class with modifications equaling them to the same rating as the F16 boats.
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<br>* Performance class 2
<br> F18 = head class inside PC 2 (does exist and is very succesful)
<br> F16 HP (is being formed right now)
<br> Open old boat class with modifications equaling them to the same rating as the F18 boats
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<br>* Performance class 3
<br> iF 20 = head class inside PC 3 (does exist and is growing)
<br> F18 HT (It is hoped that the founders of this class will follow suit)
<br> Open old boat class with modifications equaling them to the same rating as the iF 20 boats
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<br>These three formula's shall coexist with the three main international classes that allready exist and thrive:
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<br>* A-cat class
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<br>* Tornado (International and/or Olympic)
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<br>* True one-design Hobie 16
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<br>This way we arrive at a 6 fleets catamaran scene spanning 95 % of the international catsailing community. This will mean that tens of boats of different designs and different manufacturers can be raced fairly in a regatta which only runs 6, well filled, fleets. And all boats will race like they were a one-design class in their equal performance fleet. There will ofcourse also be a true open class without any rules and were the big bucks boys can play, but this is not taken up in this proposed concept for these boys will regulated this scene themselfs.
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<br>It would be very smart to define the actual performance of "Performance Class 1" to be equal to the Hobie 16 (with genaker) and make that boat the head class of "Performance Class 1". PC 3 will be very near to the performance of the Int. Tornado or even equal to this. Races with the predecessor of the Int. Tornado, the tornado sport, have indicated this. The regatta fleets can now be descreased from 6 fleets and 6 starts to 4 fleets with 4 starts. The F18HT is put here in the class of PC 3, but at this time it is unknown wether this class is actually comparable to PC 3 head class iF20. We call upon the founders of this class to contemplate this setup and modifying their formula framework accordingly.
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<br>For the equaling of individual classes a measurement system can be used. The obvious choices are ISAF small catamaran and Texel rating systems. Preliminary studies have indicated that inequalities inside these systems and with respected to yardstick systems can be increasingly decreased in size or even be totally cancelled out by prescribing a few simple requirements. Implementing these in various cat designs will disproportionally decrease handicap offsets with respect to true performance when handicap numbers are put closer together. Actually equalling handicap numbers is an extreme case in this respect and then the offsets are expected to be very much less than offsets due to the normal variation of sailing skill, even those of active racers, and things like "sailing in dirty air". The closer the handicap numbers (and the underlying actual performance) are to eachother, the more One-design like the racing will become. When these numbers are actually equal than the fleet is approximating One-design racing as much as can be done without actually sailing in a one design class.
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<br>It must be extra underlined that this formula concept is in no way undermining the true One-design racing scene. Actually, Formula and One-design races are often conducted in one fleet and start together. The individual boats are then named on different finishing lists, that's all. Sometimes individual boats are racing in two classes at the same time. For example : a Hobie tiger can simultaniously race in the F18 and the Hobie Tiger class at regatta's such as Round Texel
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<br>written by Formula 16 HP class group
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