Hi Carl

The radical notion is to force people to choose X design in order to go racing.

The idea is that if you provide a racing event for small classes... they linger around and drain vitality out of the selected one design fleets in the region. The solution is to force these classes to develop and grow or rapidly go away. If you want to race... you fall in line and race the X boat. (10 boats on the line or you don't race would certainly force big changes in who and how we go racing)

What you can't predict is whether at the end of this ruthless process will you be stronger and larger or smaller and weaker? What do you think... its happening in your fleet right now? The F18 class has grown dramatically in CRAM drawing from I17's, I20's and the N5.8NA fleets. Is it a good thing to have small fleets of I20's and 5.8's hanging on now?

As you know, I don't think that this is a good solution and choose the alternative. I am very skeptical that many sailors in the existing fleets would follow to the selected classes. I don't believe that the One design or formula goal trumps convenience and fun factor in people's decision making process.

Take Care
Mark

PS
I will look for Jeff Alter's letter to the Hobie Class about one design and the future of hobie racing. It was about 2 or 3 years ago and a bit controversial at the time. I repeat.. He never said... kill the other Hobie classes... He definitely opposed open class racing at Hobie regattas.