Why is it so important for the F16 sailors to be beat teams NOT in their class? If you want a chance at beating teams in another class then join the freaking class.
And Tim we've had the discussion about the F18 number and the new boats already. Is the F16 as fast as the F18 or isn't it? Answer that question Tim!
Dave that is a pretty BS comment. The discussion about no 1 boat fitting every sailor has been beat to death way more than the crappy rating systems.
You have bandwagon jumped enough fleets, why don't you sail an F16. - Because you have it in your mind you are too big. Well, I have been on an F18 with Gina and no way would she ever agree to race on one for basically the same mental block. I personally have an issue with the weight, and there is no way you will ever convince me that strapping on a bunch of lead is a fair equalizer to make the fat guys happy. Therefore i am very happy with the F16.
As far as racing I am trying to better myself each time I go out. I am trying to beat whoever I failed to beat last time (on the water) I could give an F*** what boat they happen to be on. We finish right around a lot of the 20's and 18 around here so it is fun to race.
Getting back to the thread - ALL rating systems will always provide a source of argument. The US system is particulary bad now only becuase of the lower participation today. If there are a lot of equivalent sailors providing lots of feedback, then it should be one of the better systems.
I am not a great sailor, but if I had chosen to sail only my A and Olli did not piss of the guys in the Atlanta area, how much do you think the Portsmouth number whould have come down? No offence to anyone - but not very much if at all. I know that the times I have raced Robbie 16-18 he has been quite a bit out front, and I do not remember any of those times where it was scored on time, so these events would not be included in the number crunch. Given those results, the old number would be just about right.
I do think the boats are pretty close in performance, but each has its advantages in certain conditions. I think both are faster than the A's on the whole, but the top OZ crew and a few others will prove that wrong every time in a race. Tradewinds is one of the larger attended race; what did we have 7 18's and 5 16s. Traveling 6 hrs, or across the country for some to sail with just a few boats at an event with no organized party for me is not worth it. My view will continue to be that if the boats (not the crew) are in the ball park of performance then run them together. Throw away the handicap if it provides nothing more than a basis to create an argument. If you are using it to score unlike boats, who really is going to follow the history of when Waves beat Tornados?
