Mark,

Your question about "throwable cushions" in the HCA-NA only effects the H17, TheMightyHobie18, Tigers and H20 and not the H16 which is the large majority of the HCA-NA. And there is I believe a little clause in the rule .... something about "being readily accessible" .... so I can not roll up my throwable and stuff it down in my TheMightyHobie18's hulls through the hullport, or lash it semi-permenately to the underside of the tramp either. I've carried a throwable in all distance races and a large percentage of "buoy races" I've competed in ... I haven't protested anyone since I do not want to win a race that way. Therefore, I have a large tramp pack installed on both my TheMightyHobie18 and P19 to keep a throwable in and collapseble paddle also.

FYI: In 25yrs of racing beach cats I only used the throwable once .... when coming upon a dis-masted NACRA 5.8(?) in the middle of the Lowwer Chesapeake Bay during a Down the Bay Race, we attached our spare Handheld VHF in a waterproof bag (to the throwable) and tossed it to a very well know sailor on this forum so they could contact the Coast Guard and arrange to be rescued.

So I can not honestly say a throwable is totally useless on a beach cat .... but you can go a loooo...ong time before you use it ....

So Matt, I usually do have a "throwable" on-board ...

HarryMurphey