I don't either. That is why I am on a Wave now. Really tough and competive racing if you can travel. The boat isn't nearly as bad as you might think and it is self healing.

I have been hit twice this year in a way that would have destroyed a glass boat, and you can hardly see a mark.

It wouldn't take much to get a competitive fleet going in the Carolinas. They already have some at Duck. There's Reggie and I am here once in awhile.

Mosely is looking. You could get two or three if you sold the Tiger and your daughter could sail one. You guys could tune together...father/daughter bonding? Of course she may kick your a$$.

Keep the 16 for when you want a crew boat.

What I like about the Wave is there is no one to remind you when you screw up at a third the price of a decent A-Cat.

Many two up boat sailors have the Wave as a second boat.., typically a husband-wife team buy two Waves and go at it. And both have done well, i.e., Sharon Woodruff, Kathryn Garlick, Betty Bliss, Mary Wells, et al.
Rick

Mark,

The Portsmouth ratings work on a RATIO of time between two boats. So if you divide the lower ratings you listed in your post by the higher ones in each comparison, you will see that one is 82.1% and the other is 82.5%. That means the F-18 has to sail the course in 82.1% of the time the Hobie 16 does and the Hobie 16 has to sail the course in 82.5% of the time the Hobie Wave does. So they are essentially the same handicap. Everyone prefers to race one design but since so few race anymore and so many different classes exist, Portsmouth is way better than not racing! The many years we used it in the Ohio Catamaran Racing Association (RIP) demonstrated conclusively that Portsmouth works remarkably well to evenly handicap boats and to encourage more people to come out and race. You only have to look at the dwindling attendance at most remaining regattas to know that we continue to lose that battle...

Mark

Mike's point about handicap racing is spot on.

The most important objective is to find a race structure that keeps the last guy racing... when he quits... you have a new last guy.

When your region chooses to run 2 and 4 boat one design fleets versus a single larger fleet scored on portsmouth (Plus one design) this simply means that you have LOTS of last place sailors that you have to work on to keep their interest up.
This is very tough to do especially when the OD class has lots of talent and the good guys are miles ahead of you.

When you have more sailors competing... odds are that you have a group of sailors with about the same skill level... even though they are in different classes. Likewise... the top sailors will be able to race each other and still find a competitive challenge.

On the chesapeake... we have killed off all of the deadboats that used to live in portsmouth and attempted to form three one design fleets plus the three long standing Hobie fleets 16, 17 and 18). Like you, the deadboat guys did not want to chase the new hot class with lots of money. Unlike you... they have just retired... Worse, The dream of a couple of the one design fleets up here is faltering. They managed a few years of 5 or more boats on the line for a few events... but this turnout did not get more dead boat society sailors to join the fleet and grow the one design class. Holding together a small OD fleet is proving impossible.

Seems to me that in a 20 boat regatta... If you get at least 1/2 the boats in One design class terrific... otherwise... split the fleet into high and low and overall and keep everyone involved racing on handicap.

I have switched from supporting Portsmouth to SCHRS simply because of the problems in the recent past and the difficulty in maintaing portsmouth going forward.

Thanks Mark.

Whether we like it or not, this is the reality of our plight. We have talked around the issue and thrown out all the red herrings.

The "dead boat" fleet is our cradle and our grave. Most beginers start with a cheap used boat and progress as best they can, hopefully elevating to a "hot boat". They either make it or don't there. Eventually, most of us reach a comfort zone that includes a platform that suits us. The dynamics of that platform can vary significantly, but the bottom line is that we like it.

For local and regional regattas and "Wednesday Night" races to prevail, we need a viable and sustainable handicap system...like it or not.

Whatever the system, the sailors have to accept it and the results. Under any system most dogs will have their day.

I really don't care what that system is...and I would rather race with my own kind.

In the meantime, it is vital that we all embrace and support one system and accept the indignety of getting our a$$ handed to us once in a while by some wanker on a POS.

oh, like my spouse needs any MORE weapons to "go at it". Now you're suggesting a virtually indestructible one? I'm going to need a bigger cup.

but you do have a point... Can you triple stack waves? Not sure how you'd lift them up without a crane, but then me & The barnacles would pretty much have ouur own fleet...

Double stack is easy. In fact, if you flip one over they nest well without any padding.

Triple stack is doable, but so is breaking one down and sliding the hulls in on top of the second boat on a double stack. The masts are two piece so they stow well too.

I have not done so, but I believe I can haul four. First of all, I have turned all my boat trailers into flat beds and they are all carpeted. They are 8'6" wide.

So first Wave goes upside down, second one nests inside, right side up.
Then using padded 2x4s place the 3rd boat upside down on top of the one that is right side up. Then nest the fourth.

Rick do you have a picture or two handy of your trailer? (More the better).
I bought a double PWC trailer that I am converting over and like the idea of the versatility your flatbed method provides...while there is probably 50 ways to do it, I would like to hear/see your approach since it sounds like it has served you well and there is no reason to reinvent the wheel. Thank you in advance.
Regards,
Bob

how many kids and out-of-shape adults does it take to put the boats on a trailer as you speak of Rick?

I use two 4x8x3/4" marine plywood, then paint it to seal it, and then bolt them to the trailer. To get the 8'6" legal width, you will have a small gap in the middle.
On one trailer the fender was higher than the frame, so I had to use 2x2 bolted to the frame to raise the height of the plywood over the fender.
If I remember clearly on one trailer I had to use u-bolts, which leave metal on top of the wood showing, but with good carpeting that is not a problem.
And getting carpeting should not be a problem either, as most carpet stores throw away old carpeting after installing new.
Load is pretty easy. Obviously the first one is laid on its side (cushioned) and roll it on to the trailer with the mast ball just ahead of the plywood deck.
Next put the second boat on Cat Trax and roll it behind the trailer. That puts about 1/3 of the boat over the trailer. Then lift the stern and slide it forward. Nice to have padding to slide on.
Third boat requires padded 2x4s on the stern and just aft of the mast ball on the boat that is right side up.
Have someone lift the trailer tongue (son Dave blocks the wheels, lifts the tongue and places a 2x4 under the tongue to hold it up.) I get someone to help. Then with the boat on Trax approach from rear. The bows will again be about 1/3 over the right side up boats. Just push and lift the stern to slide it on, and then lower the tongue. Oh, and be sure the bottom boats are tied before you raise the tongue, or you will have to start over.

I have never loaded four, but If I did, the 3rd boat would require some help to place it upside down on the second boat that is right side up. The fourth could be loaded as above.

On the trailer build thingy, there are a couple of threads on that from about a year ago.., I think in the Open and the Wave Forums.
Rick

Even better is to start with an aluminum snowmobile trailer! That way you get the independent suspension from the torsion bar axle, the wide tires, the deck, stiffer construction, and low maintenance.

Mike I don't think I have run across any snowmobile trailers on Craigs list here in Fl...lol