Hi Doug

Just revamping an 84 H-18 also , -thinking of trying to adapt an I-20 spin and snuffer to it as a masthead chute ,
the 28 ft alum mast is the right height ,-also would like to update the sail and mast ,--suppose I could place the CF
I-20 MAST main and jib on the H-18 also ,--talk about a handicap rule beater in light air ,-

WHY design modification ? --this has been the history of multihull and catsailing , the basic development of better faster more fun type sailing craft .
We need a rating system that is based on design modification .
P-rating does not calc sail area but is based on skippers times in CLASS -seems if modifications are made to boats in sail area and other design related options then we should use a design measurement system to rate them accurately --
Obviously an average time based system does not accurately reflect true speed potential , being based on skippers ability and their very different skill levels and recorded finish times.

Also most sailors prefer class type racing as a truer test of sailing skill ,-per rule 2 in ISAF sailing rules --FAIR SAILING and the ideals of it -
ISAF ratings state --It is recognized that one-design and level rating are generally a more realistic test of sailing skill. For events organised under these regulations, organizing authorities may consider separate arrangements for one-design or level rating classes present in sufficient numbers.
http://www.schrs.com/


The very large differences in skippers abilities become apparent in large active classes and in distance racing where hours seperate very good teams ,-yet these times are ignored in the P-rating scheme that is based on times of skippers on Class type and brand name boat types recorded in buoys races in open class. We do not see factored the large difference in finishing times in class in events like the Alter Cup for example ,--yet these very real vast differences are there --not factored ,
These very real differences are not recorded or used in the Tybee or past Worrell 1000 races where very real differences in numerous hours occur between exellent teams .
--How can average times reflect reality of true boat speed potential when it is obvious numerous classes of boats that are sometimes reported do not have any similar skippers ability on them .---The wish or hope is this all averages out ,-- the reality is ,--IT DOES NOT ,-
IF WE HAD A SPEED TRIALS week where numerous types could be tested and timed by top skippers all changing boats in numerous runs we may have some verifiable basis for times ,--but again this is hardly the reality .--


Like the golf annalogy ,--P-rating is like taking all golfers that play NIKE brand golf clubs and making them scratch handicappers because Tiger Woods uses them and his av score reflects this ,-next according to the P rating mentality would be Titleist brand or class type clubs ,-they all may be a two ,--next mcgregor AT 3 and so forth ,--
Its absurd --right? --Golf correctly uses an individual handicap system applied only for local club type competition . Catsailing could do the same , establish individual handicap for those types of small local club racing events . Some sailing clubs do this with great success.

The ideal form of racing is class type as used in all major races and international events .-Basic box rule type classes like A-Class and Formula classes hold the most promise to revitalize the sport as has been accomplished around the catsailing globe and finally just starting to generate great interest here in their first year .

-The golf annalogy may not be fair ,-sailing is a much more equipment oriented sport , so ,how do we accurately RATE this equipement ,-by brand type of who is sailing which brand ?
Obviously the ISAF rating and Texel rating systems have the basics right . Use design measurement of the equipement .Take basic box measurements of Length weight and sail area and formulate a reflective rating equation to rate all boats based in these very real design measurement criteria.
The basic Texel equation does this well
TR number = 100 / (0.99 * RL^0.3 * RSA^0.4 / RW^0.3),
RL is rated Length RSA is rated sail area RW is rated weight --

We can improve on this rating system by adding a windspeed factor at windspeeds above 8 when most cat designs start to fly a hull and crew get on the wire ,--this is where the biggest design speed jump occurs ,-ratings should reflect this .- This windspeed would factor in beam and other minor design factors to adjust the base Texel number in higher windspeed ,-again based on real design measurement and accepted design practise and criteria ,--not unscientific av times of very different skippers abilities in brand types or class.
It is important to review ratings and times of boats , av times could be used as a handicap added factor applied to older unmodified class boats ,-most boats that are updated would fall into a basic box rule or Formula type classification ,--this allows target modification to encourage fair equal sailing in all length categories over time .
Also a method for rating spin area as the ISAF rating uses and an added efficiency factor based on aspect ratio is needed .

Concepts for this rating system are on the F-20 forum under TIP rating ,--a proposed concept for Texel Isaf and P rating combination rating system with windspeed added.

As Formula and A Class [box rule type classes } become more popular the need for a more complete systematic approach to the sport will become apparent and more people will become interested in updating to a more integral universally accepted approach in rating catamarans for open multiclass racing as well.

People like to modify and update boats ,--like the H-18 -
we need an accurate design measurement rating system to help encourage fair and equal sailing and believe with large Formula type classes and an accurate means to target and rate other same length boats equally we will do a much better job of promoting the sport of catamaran and multihull sailing .
Formula 60s -120 ft round the globe racers ,-C-Class cats International A Class Cats -18 SQ and numerous Formula classes along with numerous other existing established classes--all based on design measurement --our rating system needs to be a design measurement based one integral with them to really help promote the sport .

Local smaller clubs should also consider individual handicap rating geared towards encouraging new sailors and youth sailors into the sport .

In choosing a class to race in when purchasing a boat, as most do, what factors will help encourage more partisipation ,-large integral same rating classes that are internationally recognized and active around the globe ,-
or an ever changing isolated average skippers timed handicap rating .
---Which will do most to promote new classes and fleets ,-attract new interest and boat dealerships ,help grow groups and sailing clubs ,-help new events ,-We are already seeing it in the new development classes in their first year here based on design measurement concepts and great class racing ideals.Hope more will see the advantages of it and get involved in promoting a large devlopment class and in helping revise to an integral design based rating system to work with and compliment them .

Carl