May 10 thru 15 is scheduled on the Tybee 500 web site for next years race ,{ only}6 or so months away .
http://www.tybee500.com/

Most teams will need to start to get organized with ground crew and sailing team crew, a potential sponsor, safety equipement, gear- sails -logos team gear -,etc etc , maybe some extra badly needed practise {my case } .
{ looking again for crew and gr crew for 04}

Think there will be a number of new addition teams in 04 and a larger number of total team entries wanting to race in numerous classes of cats and hope we have some international teams again as well.-It was great to have AUS and GBR represented in the race. The Tybee Island organization put on a great event .

Having some charter boats available for teams traveling in would be a welcome addition also in 04 . Some with boats may wish to find crews etc -
Maybe Catsailor can designate a particular site for crew and boat info and connections along with the Tybee race organization.

We may see a new 20 available in O4 designed with this race in mind, {see earlier posts on this forum}
We will also see some different 20s with spin -snuffer systems along with the N-6/0S and I-20S entered again as per last years race .
The Arc 20 by Aquarious Sail-- { a 8.5 beam shortened Arc 21 }--would be a great cat design for this ocean race as well. It would be great to see some H-Foxes or H-20s -P 19S -Mystere 20 or other 20s or boats modified to 20s in the 04 Tybee 500.
-It would be fun and more ideal to race all the 20s in a 20 class in this type of racing often predominantly downwind in seas and out through large surf with spins flying.

Class racing is a much more easily understood form of racing {first across the line wins } and spectator friendly with media and those following the race {Catsailor reports and pics}.

The 20s could modify to equalize with basic similar Formula rules of equal length- beam -and sail area compensations to weight .
A new lighter 20 with larger sailplan and larger spin etc will have a huge advantage unless some basic rules to equalize boats are outlined that govern them for this type of distance race event to promote fair sailing both in class and for the ideals of sport.

L and B are established on 20s -limiting sail area to the I-20 main patterns or less within outline are simple, that leaves the standard spin at 270 for 390 weight boats and a larger spin for heavier boat types as per 6/0 with standard NA rig and sailplan. The other versions of 6/0 or any 20 could modify to match the I-20 class target model in sail area to weight .Compensator weight is also an option dependant on new designs and total boat weight .This would allow all 20s with 8.5 beam to enter.

This Formula option is much better suited to this type of race . The concept is to equalize boat design and specification while allowing limited improvement and development to increase speed and safety .

Just line up the various 20s and let em have at it for 120 miles at a time for 5 days often jumping and surfing off the backs of waves spin flying .

The Formula 18 Class --of Tigers -N F-18S -Mysteres etc will be a welcome addition to the 04 Tybee as well with a seperate start {going off the beach out through the surf first }for the Formula 18s in 04.

An added OPEN or unlimited cat class is also another optional suggestion for consideration for the 04 Tybee 500 with its own start latter with the 18s going off first ,-then the 20s ,--then the OPEN class with off the beach times of 9;30 10;00 and 10;30 -

Looking forward to another great distance race in May -


link to Tybee pics below -

http://www.tybee500.com/


Tybee 500

Here are basic F 20 CC rules outline to date -

The efforts to start a F-20 class are open to any interested --
This may finally be the year to organize a commitee and designate officers and a website for the class.

FORMULA 20 CATAMARAN CLASS

For people of good will to race together for the enjoyment of the sport in accordance with the Racing Rules of Sailing and in the spirit of rule #2 of fair sailing under ISAF rules –To compete within recognized principles of sportsmanship and fair play.

Intent -.
To race 20-ft catamarans by numerous builders of various design features that will encourage development and better safer craft as a class on a first across the finish line wins basis in buoys and distance racing.

Amendments—We wish to keep rules as simple as possible and rely on good intent of sailors in accordance with standard safety requirements per sailing rules and required gear and class principles as stated.
Future rule additions definitions and amendments per majority vote of active class members.
The -F-20 Committee will propose amendments to the rule if necessary. Amendments shall be placed on one year’s notice unless it is considered essential to act immediately to prohibit an unseaworthy feature. Formula 20 boats will often be sailed in EXTREME type distance racing events and all components are to be constructed accordingly and sailed extensively in varied conditions before competing.

Basic specifications - FORMULA 20 C C .

LENGTH –20 ft one inch max. —Stern to bow meas.
BEAM - 8.5 ft –max.hull point meas.
WEIGHT –two categories of boat wgt. –380 Lb. and above
-410 Lb. and above
-Definition boat weights –boat sails and all att gear fully rigged
Boats may add permanently fixed gear and floatation to meet min.
Corrector weights will also be allowed for boats under 380lb. total.
SAIL AREA –two corresponding categories
380 min boat wgt –MAINSAIL =210 sq. ft inc. mast --53 sq. ft jib +270 sq. ft spin, max.
410 min.boat weight MAINSAIL =210 sq. ft – 60 sq. ft jib + 300 sq. ft spin. Max.
Increases of 7-sq. ft. in jib and 30 sq. ft in spin area in 30-LB boat wgt differential.

Sail area may be traded off from main to jib of equal sq. ft to allow modification and design variation of sail plan to any max. S A combination of smaller main in category
All measurements per standard current ISAF measurement rules, --see diagrams and instruction.

-Roller furlers and main reef points may be used. -
-All teams to use the same set of sails for a regatta or distance race, but may be replaced if severely damaged to allow a team to continue racing with the permission of race organizers per event racing instructions.

Sailmakers and owners to list sq. ft in 2 inch numerals at the tack of each sail next to the sailmakers logo with signature over.
All sails are to be commercially available to any and all sailing teams min one month before an event or sails may not be used for that event
-. Existing class catamaran designs will be accepted as listed per mfg. or sailmaker. -Racing will be on the honor system, but any boat may be challenged and checked along with the protesting party also being checked for weight and sail area compliance. Mainsails must be within the pattern outline of the current I-20 sails . Mast height is limited to 32 ft , added main area of equal sq ft may be added below the boom area .Those not in compliance will be DSQ for those races.

CREW -
-CREW WEIGHT –-A class min of 320 Lb., crews may carry corrector weights attached to boat to meet min.
Wgt based on teams wearing standard swim apparel and shirt.

-MASTS –May be of alum. and/or carbon fiber or combinations of non conducting materials in standard section tapered or uniform and a Max 32 ft length. With-standard wire rigging in any configuration.

-HULLS -BOARDS and RUDDERS–Of any standard material or configuration.

SPIN POLES –any length may be used made of any material in standard configuration with snuffer configuration of any type. Improvements to spin systems and hardware placement and coresponding design improvements and developments are permitted.

Dispensation -
Older existing designs may be given dispensation per F-20 committee by owners request in design feature trade offs -
example = an existing heavier mast rig and standard class smaller mainsail in compensation for larger spin area, again only applied to older existing designs --The current NA Nacra 6/0 with heavier boat weight and mast rigging and sailplan compensations of 348 sq ft spin as example.
contact O F 20 committee --crdesign@cac.net

-
CLASS EMBLEM

The starboard side of the mainsail MAY carry the -Formula-20 CC logo of racing Formula 20s along with individual sail number for scoring purposes.