Jake,
I don't think Paul's comment is really going anywhere as the local fleets that run the races are going to continue doing what they feel is best for them. So go ahead and get that H17. It forms the most stable turnout in the mid-Atlantic area next to the 16s.

Mark, my frustration won't necessarily lead me to a big boat; the same situations exist there, only one has spent a lot more money. PHRF or portsmouth is still handicap racing and you have to get out the calculator at the end to see who won. My frustrations also wouldn't necessarily lead me to give up my H20 for another big boat as the lack of critical mass for one-design racing exists all through the big cat classes, with pockets of exceptions, of course.

You may have a good point with pre-registration although I would be concerned about unintended consequences of making the commitment to attend harder--wouldn't want to see fewer people showing up. The idea of each design in a region getting their skippers together to decide on which races they will support is a great one. Its what I hoped to accomplish this year with our local H20 series. The results are not conclusive and not terribly encouraging. But I think this idea has potential. Last year Chris and I proposed fleet captains for each class in the division. The captains would lead the drive to generate more attendance. The idea is sound, but never got off the ground. Each division and its corresponding fleets should take a serious look at how many skippers are going to division races. Our fleet, for example, has a very low attendance record for division racing. Focusing on fewer races that skippers would actually attend would be a good step forward. Maybe its not the same regattas for each class, but that's fine. Each class would be more assured of starts and good competition at the regattas they do attend. Your efforts in this area, through CRAC, are very much appreciated.

BTW, how about all CRAC sailors get together at Galesville on Sunday for a pick up race? Or, if they're racing at Soloman's, we go down there and blitz the Lightnings?

David
H20