[ruthless process]-is used a few times --

Don,t understand the language useage ,-mischaracterizations or the misperception -

catsailors choose to purchase boats they would like to race , most preferabley in a large active class ,---don,t know anyone who is "ruthlessly forced " -

One element that really helped the sport in the 80s was a very positive image everwhere ,-especially in the media .
Its clean evironmentally vry riendly ,-healthy fun fast exciting sport with great folks .
The social aspect of a fun group -club beach setting made it more attractive to many new sailors .

That is important ,also think the international class aspect is important for many reasons .
Now in the 2000s decade we are seeing Formula type classes emerge and becomming very poular ,-these for many good reasons .
Helping develop numerous design development classes in basic each L and type category will be most benificial to the future of the sport .

As one example to answer the question, the potential solution for I-17 is to group all single handed spin rigged similar L -B boats in a large class ,-then encourage other existing single handers to add the spin of equililant size and race in a large single handed spin fleet of 17s and 18 s -set specs to equalize them in formula and encourage the resurection of numerous existing boats out there to modify and refit as most older boats need new sails periodically .--that will over a few years grow large same rating classes .
Same with the older 18s ,--as the TheMightyHobie18 poster recently with new sq top main which really helped the speed noted ,- Add a similar sized spin and snuffer and race locally in a F-18 equal rating class ,--if large numbers F-18 AND a F-18 rated class ,if smaller numbers all race together .
Very similar speeds so handicap time is not needed ,-first across wins !-THIS APPEALS TO MOST is well understood ,is spectator riendly ,and as many have noted most fun .
This modification of older boats into equal rating class allows very inexpensive entry level boats that fit potentially into a large class. --If you want new people in the sport or a way to get many of the old ones back put them on a start with 50 other 18s w spin ,--It produces the best close fair equal racing that really is great fun as several others have noted in this thread.
Much of buoys racing particularly in large fleet starts is THE START ,-some say its 60% of the race ,--In P rated starts you can work into a great one only to have a larger -lighter boat drive over the top placing you in bad air ,no where to tack , for the entire first beat placing you way back or worse watching others in class up to windard in clear air that were behind at the start round way ahead .
Large light fast boats in P RATING -enjoy this huge advantage ,which again is a very large part of buoys racing .
-Once into racing in fair equal similar speed class as crew or inexpensive older boats new sailors can then move up to the new Tiger -N-F-18 -Mystere or any new F-18.
It is something missing now in N A but should be encouraged in future years in all F-class L categories ,-16 -18 -18 HT 20 -MAYBE 20 HT -and 22s ---single handed spin F class as well as existing development A Class and other existing classes we are beginning to see here finally and will see more of in the future .

Key for the future is to recognize what has worked ,--what is working now in creating new interest and is successful round the globe ,---that seems to be Formula type classes ,--then how to help facilitate that ,--maybe evan add a more integral design measurement rating system to help existing boats modify to equal rating ,--and to help new builders find a ready made large class to help insure good racing and a market for them .
Seems like a win win win situation ,-except for a few older more obscure types that would not fall into a F type category ,-open rating is still available but becomes more of a who is faster on which L category type race .-

It is important for designers to have fredom to innovate ,--just look at the marvleous speed machines on the speed record attempts ,-new classes will continue but many of them can fall within basic specs of L B W and sail area in formula and still reach thier design objectives ,just as many early designs did .
originally A B C D classes were defined with basic specs and set up for speed trials and as a means to choose an Olympic class cat .
H -broke off and domoinated the U S market in the 70s -80s -with trailerable colorfull cats with a great dealer support and fleet class club oriented structure around a brand name and original designer -Hobie Alter .
numbers -fleets clubs and whole divisions -{as in 10 }- have faded and disappeared into the late 80s and 90s -- many other types and designs are being sailed however.
Formula was started by taking ISAF ratings for cats {design measurement rating } and targeting the ideal cat design specs in 18 ft w spin and having all be able to build or modify to it .
This success can be duplicated in each Length W type CATEGORY , --the design measurement rating was key because it allows a basic understanding of design and how to achieve fair equal racing by design ----not brand type ,--not by average handicap times .

So -rather than a P rating system with 5 windspeeds and endless modification factors that totally confuse most ,that sometimes alienates new sailors , that other mono class sailors do not prefer having raced in class structures ,-that many do not want to sail in ,-that has not renewed any interest or gained new widespread support ,-that some dislike due to the handicap timed aspect that rewards poorly sailed boat types , that have "craveats "-problems rating older boats , that seems to be a partial reason for fewer numbers ,-etc
--Then perhaps ,just perhaps ,-the direction the sport has taken , and seems to be taking here towards design Formula type classes and classification is what we should be focusing on ,helping facilitate , and setting up integral racing class structures and an equal rating system based on similar box rule type design measurement with .