Sailwave is a great product, but it dosen't do modifications and it may actually be decreasing practical knowledge

Hi Pete

The Sailwave solution is to create a new rating in the database for a boat class with it's modifications

EG Na5.8NAsq
in your case.

I use excell and some formulaes to massage the USPN list of N numbers. to create the 4 columns of data needed by Sailwave. System, Boat Dpn, WindNumbers.

I then apply the spin modification to boats in my region that now race with chutes. Next I create three more entries with the Weight correction applied. So... you have a total of 4 entries per basic boat. This takes about an hour a year.

Bottom line, the scorekeeper does not have to know the details...
As they scroll thorugh the list of boats they simply match your registration form. If you register your boat as a Nacra 5.8NAsq H2 you are covered.

There are advantages to using this system as opposed to picking out of a list of modifications.
1) errors creep in when you have to choose out of the menu of correction factors.
2) Sailwave lists the boat type and rating and by choosing an intuitive name... competitors in the handicap class can figure out what's going on.
3) Shifts the onus of declaring a correct rating to the skipper and not the scorekeeper. PHRF racing frequently requires you to send in a xerox of your rating certificate with your registration form in our area.

I do agree that as the software solves the mechanics of scoring the race... understanding of now it works in general decreases. (especially if you only do this once a year for your annual regatta)

Sorry to hear that the one design Nazi's in your area insist on segregating the Hobie Tigers' and the Nacra F18's into seperate races. oh well.... obviously you were not inclined to shout "Mien Fuher" and simply follow along.

I stupidly wonder why anyone bothers with racing when faced with such nonsense.

Take Care
Mark