The current issue that is up for debate is total
<br>> weight. Ie combined boat and crew weight.
<br>>
<br>> Here's my two cents on the subject.
<br>>
<br>> For example:
<br>>
<br>> Boat Boat weight Crew weight Total
<br>> N6.0 425-440 lbs 325 750-765 lbs
<br>> I20 410-425 lbs 325 735-750 lbs
<br>> H20 375-425 lbs 295 670-720 lbs
<br>>
<br>> Now if we standardize sail area and set a total all up
<br>> weight. Then another manufacturer such as Boyer could
<br>> build a NA F20 boat (he will not build an iF20) that
<br>> is light, affordable, durable and competitive. Then
<br>> as technology progresses the assoc can lower the total
<br>> weight accordingly (several years down the road).
<br>>
<br>> So if you look at it this way every boat can carry a
<br>> maximum sail area of "x" all with standardized width,
<br>> length and mast height restrictions than any boat
<br>> sailing at say 750 lbs would be competitive on any
<br>> given day. And the door is still open for development.
<br>> Realistically how many people sail at crew minimums?
<br>> I know that everytime I hit the water we are between
<br>> 10 and 75 lbs over minimum (on a good day) does the
<br>> extra weight help in heavy air(not really) Does it
<br>> kill us in light (you betcha). If we were all even
<br>> would it matter -- no. With the advances in sail
<br>> design and the ability to work a downhaul anybody can
<br>> be competitive up to survival wind levels -- and at
<br>> that time we should all be on the beach anyway.
<br>>
<br>> The weight we talk about in the boyer example is boat
<br>> weight at 350 lbs plus crew at 380 lbs totaling 730
<br>> lbs. If we got smart about total weights and really
<br>> refined these rough examples than I believe we could
<br>> really make this very level. Leaving only two things
<br>> open to chance.
<br>>
<br>> 1. Best hull shape for the water on that say.
<br>> 2. Skill of sailors on boat.
<br>>
<br>> Which is where we all want to be anyway.
<br>>
<br>> What are your thoughts?
<br>>
<br>> Steve
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