We have the largest fleet of N20's on the East Coast that I am aware here in MD. The boats are inexpensive, fast and have a high sail area to weight ratio, which is needed racing in light air bay conditions. Everyone runs stock sails except occasionally when some experimental stuff gets tried out. In general the fleet here just buys new sails from EP once every 2 or 3 years. We've played the arguments both ways and without definitive data that says the SCHRS rating hit for going open is well compensated for with the open sail plan, it would be a hard switch to make.

There is a noticeable performance difference between a set of blown out 8 year old sails and a set of brand new EP's. I'm curious to know exactly how the performance has changed between a good set of EP N20 sails and the new Open 20 sail plan that Smyth (and maybe others?) have developed? Are you actually able to consistently beat a new design F18 around the course in all conditions? What is the cost difference between EP and Smyth?