The Hooter is rated the same as a spinnaker despite it being a smaller sail. But I suppose that is OK since it has a broader range than a spinnaker.
It is not legal for the F16 Class as the headsail measurement requires a mid-girth dimension that the Hooter can't make. Too bad! I frankly would like to lobby to allow the option of a Hooter or reacher.
I didn't use it in my regatta for the above reason.., and that I was PRO for the regatta. So, I bought a new spinnaker that fit the F16 rules and had my son race.
That was interesting, too. We definitely found out that the boat does not support two grown men (Stan Woodruff and I) when we were at Gulfport and got hammered. And so my son dilligently sought out a light sailor. The guy he sailed with was only 130 lbs. but had never sailed before. They practiced a few days before the regatta and managed to do very well.
They were the only ones doing a standard spin set and takedown, while the others were all using snuffers. And they had much better sets and takesdowns. That was a surprise to all of us.
They didn't even have a sailbag to launch from -- they just stuffed the sail under a misc. bag tied on deck. Go figure!


At any rate, I really love sailing with the Hooter much more than a spinnaker and find it faster and easier to use. I certainly would like to know how we can overcome the rules of tradition and allow something that most folks can easily sail.
Thanks for asking,
Rick