Darryl

“(if you want to "suck it and see", just step the rig of a Hobie 16 onto a Hobie 14 and you will soon see whether or not it works).”

While arguably the best selling catamaran ever, the Hobie 16 and/or 14 are known “pitch poles” looking for a place to happen. To limit design parameters because of inherent limitations of these two particular hull designs would be ludicrous.

If they are going to be your test platform, of course more sail area/taller mast/wider beam will be of little or no benefit. However a hull design conceived to utilize the increased sail area/taller mast/wider beam will benefit from the more open design rules.

Why this constant assault from the wings on creative expression in sail boat design. I am sure there were many nay Sayers when Hobie Alter first came out with the Hobie Cat.

Two thirds of the earth is covered by water…isn’t there enough room to let everyone have their own flavor…there always seems to be someone who is complaining that this guys boat too wide…that guys mast is too tall…the fellow over there has too much sail area…the one over there has a Hooter instead of a Spinnaker…and some guy is trying to buy a first place finish because he has “Carbon” in his boat and it’s too light…give it a rest…how about a little freedom of expression for a change.

Bob