My feeling is that a Forumula 18 class would be the best bet and have only one class -- again to keep it simple and understandable to the vast audience that we have been able to acquire while reporting this event on this website.
In the Forumula class you certainly can have development boats as well as the many boats already in the mix for the f18 class.
Guess this is saying that the F18HT would not be allowed since they are much, much lighter than the specs for the F18, but if you are going use a Formula, you need to stick to the formula.
Since this is a long endurance race, you may wonder why I did not specify the Formula 20. And I would except no one can seemingly agree on anything in the F20 Class -- it has been many years in the making and still no F20 action in the U.S. Too bad, because a 20-footer would be a better boat than the 18-footer for this event.
On the other hand, perhaps this 1000-mile event could be the beginning of a solid F20 Class. Just set the maximum dimension for the Forumla and if it fits, you can race. If it doesn't, you can't. Maybe that would end the bickering for the F20 class.

When Michael Worrell introduced the idea of the package deal, I was astounded. Good deal for the teams, but what a burden to be put on the organizer. When we host the NAMSA Tradewinds Midwinter Open Cat Nationals here in Key Largo every year, we would never dream of handling housing, transportation, and boats for the 109 teams that show up. Can you imagine the logistical nightmare that would be?
The event needs to charge a fee that would cover the expenses of the organizers, and let each team be on their own -- stay where they want, drive what they want, get from spot to spot however they want, etc. Of course, for newbies to the event a booklet on suggestions for logistics would definitely be needed (i.e., how to handle the ferry situtation to Hatteras - make your own reservations, go early, or go around by roads)

As for a purse, it would be great if it were put up by another source, but certainly not a lotto deal put in by all the sailing teams.

Rick