Hi David
My point of listing all of the Hobies in order of increasing speed was simply to refute the argument that one design Hobie sailors of slower boats were envious of the faster X class boats which was causing the demise of one design racing. Ergo... eliminate the X class as a source of temptation. Hobie has attempted to sell many faster boats over the years (usually with the Hobie one design mantra)
I have to tell you... I don't understand how a one design fleet of 1, EG Hobie 14 at GP II or 1 H20 at Barnegat is promoting one design racing.
In my view... this is a failure of our organization to make good on this one design promise. If we can't deliver one design racing...we should not pretend that we are running a one design race. Eventually people get annoyed and quit!
For example, CBYRA insists on at least 7 boats pre registered and on the line before they will schedule a one design start (solves your rounding problem with a spin boat) .... otherwise.. you are in a PHRF class.
When does "frustrated a great deal because its hard to always get enough H20s in my area out" result in the" Ah the hell with it... this is no fun... I will get a big boat" set in. If I am the single boat at a regatta...WHY would I return?
Don't you think we should try to pro actively change things (ANYTHING) BEFORE that outcome? (IMO) About the only thing we have control over here is the schedule. My suggestion is that each fleet of similar boats or one design boats decide what schedule they can reasonably sustain and announce it. For example, The Hobie 20's will support X, Y and Z regattas out of the 6 or so Division regattas. ...and so on for the Spinaker boats (I20's and F18's and F18HT's) A boats etc etc. Perhaps, you can beat the drum and get some of the boats in the weeds out for this much smaller schedule.
Pre registration offers TREMENDOUS advantages to the organizers. (EG the scoring progam can automatically suck in the pre registered sailors saving HOURS of time) If you must pre register... you are likely to ensure that your schedule permits you to go because you have made this commitment and your money will be forfeit if you don't. Perhaps we should set up a internet based preregistration system which takes payments by credit card. If you want to pay at the gate... Fine but you will pay a hefty premium for your convience and for our hassle of registering you at the door (non existant volunteers). And on the plus side.. ONLine lists of pre registered sailors usually drums up interest and support.
Of course, I am all for combining these small psuodo one design classes with similar performance open boats and going Portsmouth racing in this day and age. PS the Hobie 18's have voiced this complaint about Hobie 17's on the start line for years!)
One thing we can count on... if we continue operating the same way... we can count on the same results.
Look forward to any suggestions that you may have
Take care
Mark
(I just know that this hurricane is going south and Saturday and Sunday will be top 10 sailing days of the year... Sigh)
