The struggle for a manufacturer to 'build to Class weight' is tough, but the Lightning Class is a good example along with the Thistle Class. It is doable. Hobie keeps the standard by measuring boats. By weighing boats at the owner level, year to year checks on manufactured weight for those production lines can be maintained with the added drama of owner/factory interaction at their sanctioned regattas.

Formula boats are a different story - Do the new Falcon F 16s weigh the same as a NACRA F 16? The Viper is close to the middle, I believe.

The NACRA 17s, the Oly athletes will use in 2016 may weigh less than the current (2013) production line due to advances in composites and an impulse in production. A jag in global economy may even become the driving force down the road.

Let's hope NACRA strives to maintain quality control and to build the N 17 with less resin.

Best wishes to Tom and Fred Roland, wherever you might be...