Hi Ricky, I just voted on the proposed class rules and I also support a beam limit; 8', in fact. However, I think this is not a big deal because even when I race my Mystere 4.3 single-handed, it has to blow hard to be overpowered with just my 170 pounds on the wire with a 7.5' beam. I think anyone who puts a beam wider than 8' is quickly going to learn that they are at a disadvantage against boats with less beam. The M-4.3 has a 23.5' mast so even at the max length of 24' the leverage would not increase much as we already use a flathead main. We have never had two trapezing, even at a combined weight of only about 300# because the leeward hull gets so depressed from the resistance with one on the trapeze and the other hiking that it actually gradually slows down. Also by that point, we have to have our weight literally as far back on the hulls as we can physically place it to keep the bows from submerging even while going upwind. I have experienced this same reaction on Corsair trimarans in big wind all the way up to the F-31 (there, it tells us it is time to reef). So adding beam to add speed has definite limits as Bill Roberts has explained more than once. Some will almost have to learn this the hard way I suspect!

Mike