Jack, this subject was on the agenda about three months ago. Welcome to the party.

I'm curious what you think would demonstrate stones. Would, perhaps, developing ratings for several hundred boats using measurement and performance data over a variety of wind ranges count? How about if it were done consistently for 40 years and became the national standard? If they really wanted to demonstrate they were serious, they could even develop a couple of multihull championships that provide new and exciting boats for people to try each year - there could be a series of qualifiers so that each region of the country could have a shot at competing. That would be awesome.

In another thread, I'll roll out the toll-free number for the conference call we've scheduled for those folks who have an interest and can't be in Denver. Please take the time to do your homework on Roberts Rules of Order and whatever topic for which you intend to participate in the discussion. Jack, I expect you would want to start HERE.

Mark, you're getting ahead of yourself a bit. There are no motions before the Council. Please don't give folks the impression that there are. You know I'm beyond willing to talk about this stuff - we've spent plenty of time on the phone.

Folks, anyone who decides they want to talk about a new ratings system for the US that doesn't understand Portsmouth will not have much credibility. We have had many different people show up at a single meeting aflame with passion and ideas who disappeared as soon as the discussion got serious. We have also had people envision and enact fundamental change and good ideas large and small that benefited the entire multihull community - they did it through reasoned and studied approach, persuasion, and consistent effort. One of those two ways of doing things works.

It would also be a very good idea to not come with preconceptions - if you imagine that anyone on the Council is mired in the "old" way of doing things or will mindlessly defend the status quo, I can only say that you are indeed "imagining."

I'm heartened by the amount of discourse here - takes a lot of apples to get a glass of cider.