>>Do you mean the head of the Hobie class or the f16 class ?
The head of the local F16 class of course.
>>And dose it mean, one country could grandfather a class and another country dose not ?
That is possible.
The only way to become universaly grandfathered is by a positive vote on it by all class members. This was done with regards to the Spitfire some time back.
You must see it this way. A local F16 class head may dispensate boats (within the limits of the grandfather rules, which are more strickt than you may realize at this time)) if he judges that to be in the interest of the Formula 16 class. These dispensations are reviewed yearly and are only valid in relation to OPEN Formula 16 class events in the area governed by this local head or that are organised by this local organsation.
Declared Closed Formula 16 events can only be entered by true Formula 16 boats. Example of the last would be a Worlds or a promo event liek the Dutch Coast Challenge. So there is no point in showing up to these events with a Prindle 16 for example.
To give an example; as the local class head for the Netherlands I will declare by far the most events to be open F16 class events. I see no point in disallowing somebody to race against F16's on an disadvantaged design like a Prindle 16 or Hobie 16. The more honour to the crew when their skill is sufficient to overcome their disadvantage. "First in wins"; that is the name of the game. You are free, within limits, to choose your (dueling) weapon. The grandfather rules prevents any dissimilar designs from participating. Read them. The Prindle 16 for example is allready Full F16 complinat and the Hobie 16 only breaches the overall length rule by 1 inch; in all other aspects it is full F16 compliant as well. Are we going to act small minded and disallow any Hobie 16 a shot at a spectacular stunt for this 1 inch long reason ? I say : a crate of beer to any Hobie 16 crew beating me to the line while sailing my Typhoon F16.
Basically the rule of thumb that I use as the local Netherlands class head is that Dutch F16's will race everybody and anybody on a "first in wins" basis and sails a catamaran of comparable dimensions as the F16's with an Texel and ISAF rating that is equal or slower to that of the F18/F16 class. This is in the interest of the Formula 16 class in the Netherlands as our growth is appearing to come from these dispensated boats and I want them to experience the F16's from up close. And I want to make it very clear to Dutch F16 sailors that speeds come from well developped sailing skills and not from who has the theoretical best F16 boat. Nothing spells that out as clearly as sailing against well a practiced Hobie 16 crew. I remember giving a few F18 crews a hurry up on the course on my Prindle 16 simply by getting my head out of the boat and focus on getting a good start and getting my laylines and tacks right. I think the Mozzies are doing some great stuff in Australia in this respect. Sailing F16's in my opinion is meeting the challenge in whatever (proportional) form it comes, not by only meeting the challenges that have been prefiltered by an excluding policy.
Are F16's great ? Than we must be prepared to allow others to put us to the test. It says something about our own believes if we are not willing to race Prindle 16's or Hobie 16's on a first in basis for example. And if somebody brings a 49 skiff than I'll race that one too. If I were to loose than it would be because of my inferiour sailing skills.
Other local class heads may decide differently for their area's.
Wouter
