So if people believe there is a performance advantage to using CE vests over USCG vests (weight, air drag & comfort) then there needs to be a mechanism to protest there use until they are deemed legal to level the field.
Not necessarily.. This CE/CG issue is not subject to a level playing field treatment...That's just a red herring issue in the discussion..
Performance issues are handled in the rules of the class... It's not in any international class class rules which deal with performance boundaries in various ways.. (formula SMOD and One Design). Sail area is viewed as a performance factor and rules for a level playing field are established... CE/ Coastguard jackets are not viewed this way...
It's also not in the RRS of sailing. which is not dealing with performance issues.
It's uniquely in the US Prescriptions as a safety prescription. You can protest the letter of the law violation... which is on safety equipment requirements... not that it's a performance issue. The rational as to why you might pick a CE vest or not carry the throwable is irrelevant.
No one argues that you can't file the protest and win. It's Black and White... present your vest... CE or CG Boom! .... As Dave says... its a rule...
Being in the prescriptions... its not a world wide rule... In some classes... the rule is not enforced by the class members because of the class culture.
The question is... In the Tornado class... should you have filed the protest? My experience in the class was that such a protest would be frowned upon...(class culture and your judgment).
Obviously, in the F18's... expect Dave to protest any individuals who don't carry the throw able and does not have a CG vest on board.
