Im sorry, but I agree with Holger and Mark here. One of the worst promotional things to do as a class is to give the appearence that you have something to hide. Having a private forum for the "honest" stuff is one of the best ways to feed such perceptions.

It also goes directly against the "be inclusive" principle that was at the basis of the F16 class from its creation. On what other grounds would we have put up with members like you and Stewart, Mark ? Or even myself ! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

But seriously, I fear some are underestimating how different the F16 class is from your run of the mill sailing classes. I know some feel that this forum is a promotional liability, but then I know that without it we would never had a F16 class to begin with.

Yes, I agree with these same people that "openness and inclusiveness" can become liabilities when out of control but I also believe that "tight control" can be a serious liability in its own right. If F16 sailors wanted tight control then they would be sailing in Hobie classes. And they would be right in doing so as Hobie does that best, although the number of Hobie classes is very quickly decreasing for some reason. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Wouter