Check out THIS FLEET of hopefuls making their way to the Gulfport Yacht Club for this weekend's Eliminations. Rumour has it there are additional teams on the way that have not preregistered. I'll update the fleet tomorrow evening and again on Saturday once registration is closed and racing starts. Results will be posted at same URL assuming the Club's wireless access is up.

Forecast looks sporty. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Bad link JW

JW: I'm listed at 67.1. How can I get that changed to 65.2. The Blade sailors have mostly agreed to use the lower number whether 1 or 2 up.

Double checked - anyone else have trouble?

You WANT a faster number? I used the F16 and F16U numbers... what does your class rule call for?

Works for me!

Yep. It's a long story, contact Wouter for full details!!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It's a philosophical point, in my case it won't matter one way or the other. I seems in Europe there is a push for level racing 1 or 2 up, as well as when racing F18s. Currently, class rules call for different numbers.

Rumor has it a cold front is coming through on Friday, winds gusting to 30 on Saturday! Should be a good time for all! At least you won't be drifting.

Looks like a good list. 20 boats already signed up. Maybe a couple more signing up late. Good names in there as well. Say Hi to Kevin for me.

I am going to say a Formula 18 will take it if the wind is over 20. A-Cat if the wind is less than 5. I20 if the wind is more than 5 and less than 15. Even between Formula 18 and I20 with wind of 15 to 20. Sorry I am not at all familiar with the Formula16 to have them in the mix.

Later,
Dan

John,

You have the D-PN numbers right, the issue is rather that F16 numbers are pretty far off reality. Especially the uni (1-up) rating is suspect. Since a good year now the class has decided to take matters in their own hands and request at each event that the 1-up F16's be scored on the faster 2-up F16 D-PN number. This is more fair to the other boats and it save us a whole lot of ^&#(# by other crews that our rating is a peach. We are not looking to take over from the Supercats were ever other crew spits on the ground after mentioning its D-PN.

HOWEVER, since it appears that a sailor can be protested out of the qualifiers for not living up to each and every rule to the letter, I'm not so sure whether it is wise for the F16's to again make this handicap modification request.

Wouldn't we feel right foolish if we first give the other boats a better chance at beating us only to find out that return the favour by protesting our butts out of competition. This is no real danger at weekend events but with the alter cup qualifiers I just don't know. People do weird things when something important is on the line.

So John, can you advice what is best in this situation ?

Wouter

In this case, I would think there are a couple of steps to be taken. First and foremost, has the USSA Portsmouth Committee been advised of the class's wish to have a single number for the F16s? I don't think there would be an issue if it were the written class rule that all F16s, 1- or 2-up, three sails or one, all raced straight up with no handicap. Now is a great time to bring it up - the USSA meeting is in a couple of weeks.

Second - should a Uni sailor sincerely feel that their number is too favoured, I am pleased to provide unofficial scoring using the 2-up number for the class's use. If the sailor felt strongly about it during the event, the Corinthian thing to do is to Retire After Finish (RAF) once he becomes aware that an "unfairly favoured" score has put him into a position in the regatta he does not feel is earned. The sailor could do this following the posting of the scores - thus allowing him (or her) to sail their heart out for the event to see how well they can do and to provide good data for the class and USSA.

We will likely get in five to seven races over the weekend - all someone would probably need to do is withdraw from a single race to take themselves out of first or second place overall.

Though - I still wonder how much actual race data has been gathered that supports a "single rating" position?

Hey Dano -

Factor this in, too. It appears the spectrum is about to broaden, with a likely Hobie 16 and a Marstrom 20. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

JW, link still does not work. Must be my connection (work blocking it) But either way, I am unable to attend. If I am listed please remove my name. Yes it saddens me terribly but other things have taken presedence.

Our active Taipan 4.9 sailer races one-up uni with spin. he's good, but so are others in the Fleet. He's been talking to us about the single F16 rating all year. I told him we'd stick to the proper rating unless otherwise noted by the class. After the Spring and Summer races, he asked point blank to be scored with the single rating for Frostbite. So far, that actually seems to be working out fairly. The boat is fast in that configuration...

I'll put my money on a Hobie 16 if it's truly over 20.

Money well-spent in this case... Hobie 16 sailed by the current USSA Youth Champion on the helm and a legendary crew pulling the strings. Miami Yacht Club will be well-represented. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Again, my point is philosophical. This is such a strong fleet I'll be lucky to finish better than dfl! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> If the wind is in the 20-30 range, most of my time will be spent on the beach.

John,

We did approach the ratings committee about eliminating the F16U rating as class rules state that F16 uni (1 crew, 2 sails) and double handed (2 crew, 3 sails) are to be scored equally. We approached them as no formal authority, as there was no national class association at the time. The request was not implemented at that time. The F16 sailors in the southeast (at least) all race under the F16 rating (not F16U), no matter what. This means no data is being collected in that region (and possibly others) for the F16U rating (a problem).

This is a problem that the now organized US F16 Class Association should handle by a vote of the membership. I will communicate with the class governing body to make this vote happen. Hopefully, some clarity will be given to the situation before the USSA meeting.

The F16 class rules start with the following text :

******************************************************************************************

Prologue: The Formula 16 class

The Formula 16 class for high performance beach catamarans is a mildly restricted class, reserved for sport catamarans that may be sailed either doublehanded or singlehanded. The designs are of amateur or professional construction and are intended for racing on elapsed time with respect to other Formula 16 designs, as well as Formula 18 class designs.

******************************************************************************************


In effect the level racing between 1-up and 2-up boats is adressed here.

I don't think we'll actually see any further class rules actually demanding both setup being rated equal under USPN. That is not something that is for the F16 class rule to determine.

As far as I know; all 1-up F16 sailors in the USA are atively requesting at each event to race of the 2-up USPN handicap. From California to Florida and Alabama to Illinois. This is about as "class official" as it is going to get at this time.

I think there has been some discussions going on between the US class and USPN but I really should refer to Tom Shannon to get the facts. However there may not be enough time before the start of the event to ask him and so I write this posting. Tom ?





Luckily nobody is asking me that question as I have totally given up on USPN ever converging on a realistic number here. The sailors just want a realistic number and they don't want to wait another 5 years for it. Pardon my French here.

Wouter

There's not much that can likely be done before the event regarding a ratings change. What I meant was that you need a class rule that states all configurations are raced under the class rule without handicap. The other Formula classes have that in their rules. If you do, too, then it is a no-brainer, to borrow a prominent politico's recent terminology. :-)