I think Luiz's point (of course he can speak for himself) is not that a formula is unsuitable for racing in general (that's plainly not true), but that in the context of junior sailing, greater certainly of equality between boats will be more likely to convince parents of kids inclined to race to invest, since they will have greater confidence that their kids will be able to compete on equal terms.
In this context, perception may be more important than reality to an even greater degree than in an adult formula class. In the latter case most of us are comfortable with the idea that any difference in performance between different designs is less significant than differences in sailing ability. In a junior sailing context, with parents who may not be hard-core sailors themselves, a perception that you have to have the latest design to compete may be off-puting to parents who just aren't able or willing to buy the latest design.
Luiz, am I interpreting more or less correctly?
Having said all that, I get the impression that the consensus here on the forum is moving towards the formula approach - partly because of insufficient consensus about some of the important design features and partly for the reasons that scarecrow outlined.
I couldn't say it better, thanks.
Berny's confusion is caused by an apparent contradiction:
The application of tighter OD rules is more suitable for low cost racing even if they yield relatively slower boats (a feature that also helps selling to novice kids' parents).
A Formula gives more desin freedom, yielding better and faster boats, but costs will go through the roof when parents start their pissing contest.
It is more or less like production car racing, Nascar and Indy. Drivers start on strict OD production cars but may migrate to Nascar (= more freedom and expense) or Indy (= even more freedom and expense).
Mark's observation that the group tends to support a Formula is correct and I am sure this cuts the time lost in discussions, fights, votes, etc.
From my experience with the Optimist, a successfull worldwide youth Formula/loose OD will end as a Strict One Design anyway. But we are not forced to eliminate the Formula stage as they did with the Laser.
That's why I took someone's earlier suggestion to do both things: develop four boats under the Formula rule to be sailed as OD locally (or Formula internationally), and then compromise on a fifth boat as a strict one design, with an eye in the global market.
