Doug and Warren,

the NOR says :



Mr. Warren placed an additional constrained in his post :"and will sail with crew of two meeting a minimum weight of 290#"

This excludes indeed the F16's. And specifically the McDonald crew even though they have done many a florida distance race on their F16. I think they weight combined some 275 lbs or so.

But, Doug, I think the best approach to this is for a specific F16 crew planning to attend to contact mr. Warren personally. As it is written that "The race committee reserves the right to qualify a boat for the race". Several F16 crews can "proof" their ability to do this race on their F16 by refering to other distances races or earlier participation in this race.

I'm sure nobody intentionally excluded the F16's. It is just that 16 foot boats are typically considered to be slow and for most 16 foot designs this is true. Nothing a quick phone call can't fix.

Wouter

Jake:

That WAS my question for Warren. Blabe is 16'4" right. NOR says 18-22. Like to see how the Blade would do in distance race boat for boat.

Doug

Sorry! Read a little too much into it! IF the race is open to F16's I'll race the Blade. If not, I'll come down and cruise along with the Tiki.

Matt sailed Steeplechase, a two-day 110 mile (roughly) race around Key Largo either last year or the year before on a Blade. I don't think the boat is the problem. If the wind goes light, THAT's the problem.

I know there was one year the wind just plain shut off several hours into leg 1. I think we were about 15 miles from the finish and it was a long bob/paddle/sailing flyers to the finish. I know a lot of boats behind us quit and trailered to the finish, as most of the smaller boats (under 20 feet) were still north of Hens & Chickens (the H-16 was just south of Angelfish creek)

I think Mr. Green's general guidelines are designed to allow a group of boats with similar speed, DPN or sailing characteristics. This should keep the fleet relatively together (to allow for good fun) and not keep the race committee up all night waiting on the "slow" boats (like if a double-handed Dragoon or Wave entered)

F16s have demonstrated the ability to keep pace with the F18s. I think they should be in.

Some race organisers would use a handicap number as a cut-off point, not a boat's length.

Wouldnt it be easier to paddle a F16 versus a F18??!?! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> lighter...

Just stiring the pot that has been stired over the past weeks.....

Someone has to finally let the F16 play with everybody else. Kind of curious to see results.
Jonathan Grant
Mesa, AZ
boatless

I agree with Dermot, use the Portsmouth numbers to keep REAL slow boats like the two I have now from slowing down finish. BUT if the boats are competitive, let the F-16 sail. After all I think they are the class of the future. Allow you to sail 1 up when you can't find light crew and two up when you can. THAT is why I am looking at one, to continue sailing with (13 yr old) grand daughter and get the lastest technology. Current boats are 1986 and 2002.

Just my 2 cents,

Doug and Ashleigh Snell

The class of who's future?

http://rcs.law.emory.edu/rcs/ss/09/ss9085.mp3
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