Hi Mary

Thanks ,

You hit on the main points as always ,--
Timing may be right ,-with other Formula classes and catsailors in N A becomming more educated about sailing ,-design and types of catamarans available . Catsailors want better class structure in each length catagory that Formula Classes provide . This will void dead boat classes to a large extent and the endless cycle of them in the future.
I would like to see a singlehanded F-class emerge --looks like one base on H-FX and Inter 17 types . --In non spin hope the A-Class continues to become more and more popular ,-It is a similar limited development class based in a fundamental box measurement rule of Length Beam Weight and Sail Area that has numerous excellent builders and boat dealers to support them .
Being able to modify and update existing design will revive many 20s, or at least provide longevity as well as a very inexpensive entry level boat to the sport .
Any can look at the classified section and find numerous 20s for less than 2 th. add a spin snuff system and mods for 2 more and some T L C , in refinishing and custom additions ,-maybe team logos and art work and your racing something of real value ,-
Or just purchase a new F-20 -Inter 20 ,-maybe an upgraded Fox version , or custom S C 20 per Formula-specs.Many 20s are available. We need some to get involved in Formula 20 racing .-Inter currently has a near monopoly and has no insentive to support F-20 . H Fox currently does not want to upgrade , the answer is for all to purchase a Tiger . Great boat and F-18 racing will grow but does not meet the needs of all . -Am really looking forward to seeing the Tiger and Nacra F-18s line up and race this year ,--We have some of each locally in CRAM with excellent equally matched sailors aboard . Hope we see some line up for the Tybee 500 in May also .. Of course along with a number of 20 entered as Formula 20s -per F-rules outlined.
98 99 Worrell races were run with limited production boats in class including N-6/0s --Mystere 20s --Hobie 20,--and one brought a Tiger at that time as well .
Rick had the right idea 5 or 6 years earlier trying to combine several 20 classes to race even up , this may have elolved into a Formula class . A good Formula rules basis that treats each boat equally to a max set of specs is fundamental.
Persistance is a key ,--If the Formula 20 class does not become instantly popular we,re prepared to continue the next and next and next as required . -Europe is having its first i F 20 Championships this year after founding it 5 or more years earlier . Persistance ,-just as with Worrell racing ,- 7th this year , each one gets better as the race itself does and partisipation and interest in it grows .Formula 20 efforts will similarly continue , already been working from the idea-concept based on iF 20 RACING for the last 3. It was a set back to find the I-20 not built in N A to iF Formula rules as the Fox is . The N A version Inter 20 often weighs in the 380 range ,though class rules say 390 , Any can easily remove 10 lbs of boat weight if desired also. The Inter 20 in N A also we discovered 3 years ago has 15 more sq ft of sail area in a larger sq top main . Matt was good enough to measure it having one of the first I-20s at that time . The boat has more than 200 now ,-the Fox has very few ,-so we have based the class on the more popular specifications for N A or the N A Inter 20 .
For the casual reader please realize we have no strong central organization. All we can try to accomplish is to accomodate all existing popular 20 ft cat designs as best we can based on mfg. specs of boats as currently built .
Any boat can modify and match the I-20S basic specifications .
We will see many better versions of 20s that have the potential to outperform the Inter 20 if sailed to that potential .
One thing all who race realize is that there are the Tiger Woods type of catsailors that set new standards of excellence in our catsailing sport. Matt is one , expect to see them battle and become the Olympic Tornado rep , though Robbie and the existing T team will be very tough to beat and have this same ability on most any type of cat design sailed .
These types of teams -sailors can hop on most any cat design and sail away from a fleet of really good catsailors with years of racing time and experience . We all realize this .
One big problem with setting a handicap based on average times, they sail and focus on one or two types of popular active design . If there were some way to have these sailors sail every design and record times in consistant conditions in numerous races ,-then there would be a verifiable means for a yardstick handicap systen like P-rating ,-but it is not realistic,-
or intelectually honest to believe this .. Just read the ISAF rating for cats which states this in effect . The rest of the cat sailing world realizes this but we can not . We continue to seperate and alienate Hobie and many other class oriented catsailors as a result .
Maybe this is the way people like it ,--small controlled groups serving ego and monetary interests in sport , I don't believe this is good or serves the best interests of all .
Also the education and improvement factor in the sport .
New design ,innovation ,-and true competitive nature of sport .
Europe has us beat all to heck in this regard ,--WHY ?
tHIS STUPID RACE STRUCTURE WE HAVE IN PLACE IS A LARGE PART , prohibiting us to grow elolve for the bettermeant of sport .
If your oriented to small groups of handicap racing that is fine ,-but do not expect others to accept it as anything more than an artificial average timed handicap of other sailors not in your club or small group ,-If the intent is to handicap the individual to give new sailors an opportunity to compete or win a pennant or trophy then give them an individual handicap .--like golf , and be honest about the type of sailing you believe is fair , a handicap type .

Need to research the Morelli -Melvin boat ,--I understood it was a H T type design with more beam -sail area and much lighter weight than current Formula rules allow . more of a ht 20 .
Think we will see a H T 20 Class in the future ,-a good very high performance design /designs are due to replace the Tornado type design , lighter weight , similar beam ,-maybe planning or front foiler type design features . we will see boat design continue to develop. thats for sure.

-One Formula Class in whichever Length catagory will not provide all the answers , People will find this type of racing interesting ,-its not for everyone or meant to be , just as distance racing or just buoys racing is not . The combination of Formula Classes and established classes like A s -allow each catsailor to find one suited to their intented preferred type of racing . -Racing in small groups of diverse types , some type of rating system is required ,-that is great also but not a substitute for good class racing because of its inherant inequitities . These inequities discourage class oriented sailors from partisipation . Hobie Classes have dominated numerically because many are alienated by handicap racing ,--for good logical reasons .
People talk about social structure in catsailing . I really liked the term Bob used --"a meeting of the clans "" it is so diverse ,-no one really has the total picture in N A . We are so spread out over a huge continent. -You and Rick have brought us a long way in communication and a central meeting ground .

Thanks so much from so many of us -
Happy Holidays , and New Year
Carl