Matt,
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<br>I agree with you. And I agree in part with the other posts.
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<br>If you look at it this way. We will all one day switch boats right?
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<br>Well, if you can go to the best hull design for your area, weight, wind conditions etc. Then have the ability to choose your mast and sail configuration. AND THEN race heads up with who ever else comes to the show. Isn't it all then even and the arguements over who's boat gets what is moot.
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<br>I sail an H20, love the boat, love the hobie fleets I have had the pleasure to sail with. I have also sailed in most of the country. Do I think the H20 is the best boat --- NO. But, if I could change the mast and sails it would be faster. Does it handle well with a chute? About as good as a 6.0NA. Is it an I20? NO. Could it beat an I20? with the right mods -- YES. Any boat can be beaten in the right enviorment and with the right crew/training. We see that at every race we go to.
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<br>Basic open formula works. Just look at the A class. What I'm really tired of is buying a new boat every few years because of poor workmanship and materials. A formula class after time will force builders to build quality due to the level of open competiton. The bad thing about one design is that you have to go back to the source to buy that design. Plan obsolesence -- didn't work in Detroit -- shouldn't work in catsailing.
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<br>Total weight just levels the field on most days. And on light days a crew weighing 295 lbs on a 400lbs boat is faster than a 380 lbs crew on a 400lbs boat. -- Thats the facts. Are these crews that much different in medium air -- nope. In heavy air? well, we are all just hanging on then anyway.
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<br>Steve<br><br>