I just deleted everything I wrote, because Matt said it all (must have been typing at the same time).

I would add (only as an observation) that there are some PROs, at an advanced level, that feel gates are not worth the resources unless there are x number of boats (usually 15-20 is given as a number).

Personally, I don't see gates as a "resource" issue at this point. They've been used for so long that everyone has enough equipment, and everyone is used to having one mark boat do the gate, so nothing is being saved by having a single mark.

The other thing to consider is that for classes that have large NAs, the weekend events are usually much smaller, but it's good to be able to practice with the gates. So, regardless if the H16 or A Cat fleet is the largest fleet at an event, and that fleet only has 10-15 boats at an event, we want the gate because at the NAs, there will be lots more boats, and there will be a gate. Not a good place to use it for the first time all year.

Mike