Mike,
My understanding is the TheMightyHobie18 and TheMightyHobie18 Magnum share the same rating. Most magnum owners race without the wings and I believe Hobie didn't wish to split the fleets. The TheMightyHobie18 SX has many improvements(ha) over the TheMightyHobie18 and as such was required to race with wings as a separate fleet. There were so few SX's sold that it rarely becomes an issue. Technically a TheMightyHobie18 magnum without wings should be penalized but how would you know if it was a magnum or not?

The ratings are based on reported racing. Since few SX's are or were raced the number is based on less experiences/races. The TheMightyHobie18 which has been raced extensively has the more accurate number. The more results you can compare will make the most fair rating. The SX was never proven to be substantially faster than the standard TheMightyHobie18.

Mike:

I guess the question here is did the boat come form the factory with or without the wings. I too see this as an advantage over a boat with out them, that is giving the ability to draw more power form the main before tuning it down. I can't speak fluently about Hobie 18 as there are so many different variation you need a Phildalphia lawyer and New York accountant to keep it straight. Maybe Wickland can educate us on what is the right configuration for the Hobie 18, Hobie 18 Magnum, Hobie 18SX, Star and Stripes, Alter Limited Edition, etc.......

In this specific case if WH showed up to any of our event we would probably start with the standard H-18 rating of 71.4 and then start making the adjustment with each modification, that is the adjustment for the taller mast, larger sail and spinnaker, and if he added wings that too. That said in my eyes WH should be rated at 66.83 That is 71.40 X .960 (spin) X .980 (oversized main X .995 (taller mast). And if he chose the wings that day then 66.50. Again, this is my personal opinion and not gospel.

So this leads us to another question, what is the proper rating for Tom.

How can a boat with less sail area and no spin be faster than the boat with more sail area and a spin. Makes no sense to me.

Well actually, a boat with less sail can be advantageous in higher winds...hence the reefing systems on many boats. Having less power in extreme conditions can get you to the line faster.

The total bouyancy remains the same for both boats. When the wind gets honkin', the more powerful rig drives the hulls under yielding very poor performance.

That's the way I heard it right after the SX came out. I have no clue as to the validity of the theory.

18 Wind Ratings

H18SX 71.3 75.5 73.0 70.1 66.3
TheMightyHobie18 71.4 76.8 73.5 69.5 66.8

You spelled my name wrong.

Sorry Wicklund, Wickland, Wicklend - hmm this has a ring to it.

Getting back on topic, what's the scoop here, you know these boats better than me.

Seems like an SX with no wings is a TheMightyHobie18 with a tall mast. Take a hit for the mast, hit for the sq top, possibly a hit for larger main (not sure)hit for the spin, and a plus for smaller jib. I Don't think you can use the slow number for the sx and work from there. Not enough data to support it. It's a Hobie 18 that is modified. Someone else can do the math. I'm an idea guy, not an engineer

Let me fire this across the bow...
What about the SX guys that changed out the rig to race against the H18s. I know of several SX boats being raced without wings and with standard rigs, what does that make them? Does this come down to production date of the vessel and equipment listed on sale invoice?

Not enough data to support it

Ugh... the modification factors themselves are not carefully measured values backed by lots of data either.

The purpose is to get everyone on the race course and not give the sailor with the non class legal boat a gift rating.

You would be better off using SCHRS or Texel calculator to get a one off boat rating.

A sx with no wings and a standard rig would be a TheMightyHobie18. There were several sx's with wings that were simply magnums. No tall mast or different sails. As far as I know, all hulls, foils, etc are the same. It was the tall mast with mylar sails and spin that made the boat different. The extra wt and comptip did not make the boat competitive. I think the sails were european designed and were never tailored to fit the comptip. It was actually a factory frankenboat to begin with that did not work well. To gain any credibility, you will have to start with the proven TheMightyHobie18 number and go from there, at least in my opinion, Rick (hope to see you out this fall, whatever the number)

Sounds like a good idea to me.

In the time it's taken to type all the replies on this thread; you could have got someone to measure ALL the TheMightyHobie18 variants and had suitible handicaps for all......

I have no idea how to do this. Is there a website that guides you thru the inputs to get a number? TheMightyHobie18 variants?

It appears that the 66.8 number I ran last year is the closest it will get. I'm ok with that, just need to pay attention and sail faster!

It still seems that my boat is closer to being an SX than anything else, but whatever, its not like there is money to be won.

Rick, I will be at Ya Gotta in 2 weeks and hope to make Hatteras and Catfest this fall. Sure I'll see you at one of those events.