How big can the performance difference be between a "257 kg boat+crew" and a "262 kg boat+crew" ?

Especially when the crews themselves can differ by as much a 40 kg !

We argue and know from on the water experience that such a 5 kg difference is all but negligiable.

That is the argument we're having here.

Wouter [/quote]

I don't understand WHY you guys keep arguing about this. You have a class rule about minimum boat weight. All that means is that the boat cannot weigh LESS than that. It does NOT mean that all the boats in the class have to be at minimum weight. The whole idea of a formula class is for it to be inclusive of as many boats as fit into the specifications. And a 16-foot boat that weighs 1,000 pounds could call itself an F16 if it wants to.

I don't see any basis for arguing with Macca about this. Tell him to buzz off.