Here, I have a simple way to look at this and exclude the discussions about physics, fluid dynamics etc.
Look at the US Sailing Portsmouth numbers and compare these three boats; M20, CFR20 and I20. They have different rigs (uni vs. sloop) but carry similar sail areas both upwind and down wind (I know the M20 is 1' wider but it's still a good reference point). I probably should have pulled the Texel numbers and compared the I20 to the Eagle 20 Carbon but.... I did this....
Key
Boat - weight, SA up x SA Down, Portsmouth numbers
M20 - ~255lbs, 24m^2 x 25m^2, 58.0 61.0 59.0 57.5 55.0
CFR - ~265lbs, 24m^2 x 25m^2, 58.0 61.5 58.2 58.1 57.3
I20 - ~390lbs, 24.25m^2 x 24m^2, 59.3 62.0 60.2 58.5 57.5
Notice that in light/med conditions the light boats are rated faster. As wind speed goes up the gap closes for the I20 and the CFR but not the M20 (the beam starts paying off).
I think the conclusion should be obvious. Lighter is faster. (don't rake me over the coals a/b the sloop vs. uni, I know I know....)
One more anecdotal account. I have sailed with some upper upper level sailors. If weight didn't matter, I don't think they would be so anal about using small light lines and keeping the garbage off the boat.
Thanks for the numbers, that brings some light in the discussion. I don't worry about cat/sloop. Also the quality of Portsmouth numbers may be debated, but for our discussion it is fine.
In light winds, where we all agree that lighter is faster, 125lb heavier is just a 2.2% penalty. So 12.5lb weight increase is 0.2% penalty. That is just nothing, at least for me.
Maybe you talk with your upper skill sailor friends about this 125lb = 2.2% slower relation. Could get another anecdote.
What is the beam and mast height of a CFR20?
Cheers,
Klaus
