Not speaking for the entire class, but as an interested US-based F16 sailor....

The US Class Assoc's first attempt at managing the handicap ratings was a request to drop the F16U rating entirely (or synchronizing it with the F16 rating). The basis was "Why have two ratings, in a performance based rating system for a boat that fits into class rules in either configuration?". I understand two ratings in rating systems that use engineering specifications to build the handicap number.

Well, this request has not been addressed (it is still on their docket, as of a few weeks ago) and the the F16U rating lives on.

If the F16U rating is going to be part of the rating scheme, then we need to start using it to get some good data on it. It should not take too much data to move the number since there is probably not much data already in the system.

I would like to avoid the scenario where everyone starts using the F16U number, then the Portsmouth Committee drops that particular rating (per the outstanding request from the USF16 Class Assoc). Seems like it would add more confusion. It would be nice to know the Portsmouth Committee's intention regarding the F16U rating.

I do not know how open the Portsmouth committee is to adjusting ratings outside of the normal data collection method. They are pretty steadfast in the belief that the numbers will ultimately tell the truth.

I personally, would withdraw from the standings if - while in an Open Portsmouth fleet - corrected out over a 2-up F16 that beat me (sailing 1-up) on elapsed time.

How do the other US sailors feel about moving forward with using the F16U rating? Not a fair handicap number, but I've seen where we have been accused of circumventing the system by NOT using the F16U rating. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />