Hi Steve…

“Would the 550lb Supercat have won the same race if there had been a 350lb Supercat at the same event, with the same crew weight & skill level on both? (I know you don’t get a 350lb SC, just for discussion purposes.) My money would be on the lighter equal "superior design" boat.”

My money would be on the lighter one as well…I think we are both on the same team here…My point was that the hull design is just as important a factor as weight…and in the particular case of the Steeple Chase, it appeared to be the deciding factor. It seems that the aspect of synergy in design is lost when we go off in some of these discussions. Weight is important, very important…but so are a host of other factors…I was just trying to remind us of that. Sometimes we get tunnel vision.

“Regarding "keeping your foot on the gas longer" I’d back a lighter boat with LESS sail area, given that all other design issues were equal.”

Again I agree with you, but most times the design issues are not equal.

“Agree - a platform DESIGNED to carry more power can probably handle it, but then hull volume, weight etc all go up. See "Playstation" for where we end up.”

Steve how much more weight does a boat have to incur to redistribute volume to the bows? How much more weight does a boat incur when heavily crowning the foredeck? These are things that would help any boat design prone to pitch poll, and should cost nothing in the weight department...in fact the crowing of the fordeck should make the foredeck stronger/stiffer with no additional material by virtue of the curve...another "weight free" advantage.

Bob