Hi John & all
I,m enthusiastic about all Formula type and development classes ,--think this is from racing H 18s for a decade in the late 70s thru 80s ,-but also racing all types of cat designs and sailing craft of all sizes .
thanks for noticing
Will eventually have a F-14 ,-most likely as a fun experimental type craft that I can test new sail plan concepts on or experiment with angled foils and planning hull shapes, most likely by taking an existing production boat and trying different modifications to it , but this is one small area of interest , the F-14 can serve many .
Imagery is very important ,- Hobie cats were made popular in the 70s 80s by selling a new type of colorfull simple fast fun boats that you could purchase reasonabley and become part of a very positive, environmentally friendly, athletic oriented energetic image building sport ,that also offered a fun social scene and comradery with the shared experience and adventures of competitive sailing .
The F-14 needs to project this image ,-as all Formula classes should ,--note the H-16 Worlds ,--{positive imagery }--we live in a media driven world of it .
Each Formula or development L category class will create its own niche in the marketplace ,--the F-14s is FUN simiple size ,ideal for all ages.
I forsee a more systematic complete comprehensive design measurement based - Formula Class system of catamaran categorization and resulting classs groups -
Formula 14s --eventually needing a production class for 240 and above boats ,--and a ht classification within for 140 Lb cats ,---Berny and other ht lightweight designs will leave the heavier production boats , just as an A Class cat leaves a N uni , or 18 ht is faster than a F-18 at 100 Lbs heavier boat weight .
Anyway -there is a good F-16 hp lightweight class --it needs a complimentary production 16 non spin class .
There is the ht F-18s --and the F-18 ,--it needs a sub category F-18 non spin class .
We have the A Class developmental class for singlehanders ,-The F-14 and F-16 have single handed option as well . There should be a production weight SH class , and a spin SH class all in 17 18 ft range .
There will remain brand class groups and a rating system is needed ,-but it should serve the intent of large Formula type race groups that include all brand types based NOT on brand but basic L B W SA --design measurement -race groups in each Length category . ISAF rating achieves this and provides the basic language and definitions ,plus consistent means and proceedures for boat and sail measurements --rated sail area -rated weight -etc.
This forms the basis of Formula concepts ,--
something we have had backwards in NA USING A YARDSTICK AVERAGE SKIPPERS TIME RATING SYSTEM THAT IS ALMOST TOTALLY RELIANT ON BRAND , brand rules only ,-brand definition ,-brand classes , and is subserviant to them ,and reinforces them .
ISAF rating accepts both but recognizes that class racing is the ideal form of racing ,--Formula groups being the ideal form of class racing that can comprehensively include all within a broader expanded Formula classification structure for racing .
An added category for larger cats , and the C Class for the very expensive .
Also I,d like to see one other open development class again ,--a return of the 18sq or a more open spin 20 development class .
Formula 20 has been tough ,--knew it would be ,and take the longest to establish going in to it .
The very popular W-1000 - Inter 20 cat ,-was not built to iF-20 rules like the h-fOX is ,-it instead is 30 Lbs lighter and has a 15 sq ft larger main, it also has a CF mast .---brand only edicts -interests ,-poor market strategies ,etc etc ,--the politics of it all is difficult .
Pete is working up a new NA Formula 20 WEBSITE ,and plan to stick with it and the broader Formula concept for as long as it takes to get established ,
We --the catamaran sailors ,--all seem to be inadvertantly and very segmentedly by individual interest in size range or type, headed in this Formula race group direction .
If we all got together a little better with more constructive coordination , recognized the direction , outlined the expanded Formula intent, we couold promote all types brands sizes etc to the benifit of all with all the events and international aspects Berny noted .
A rising tide floats all boats ,
I hope to race in all of em F-14s thru 20s and beyond .
Though right now I can,t find a crew or gr crew for the Tybee 500-Atlantic 1000 --
last years efforts w Gale
http://www.galebrowning.com/tybeenews.html As noted each Length has its own niche in the marketplace ,--this race would be a tough one for the F-14s
my 8th Atlantic race --whew
I, would like to race it on a F-20 version cat -
and see the Atlantic races go Formula in future years ,-
that includes all Lengths in different times starts off the beach .
The TransAtlantic effort by the NL teams is fasinating as well , though extremely dangerous -
take care
Carl
