Moxie,

>>The HT class has already banned the use of wing sails, mainly due to cost and practicality issues.

Well, that was a smart move. That will definately help the 18HT class in the long run.

>>The F18 development rules are too limited, especially with the high minimum weight. Aside from the hard wing restriction, the HT rule is almost as wide open as the C class rule. ... If the trustees stick with the HT, we'll see a lot of interesting, useful development and a lot of talent sailing the boats. What could be better?

There are only three points I'm not convinced about

-1- HT rule is as wide open as the c-class rule.

I've been looking at the lastest F18HT rules set (source : http://www.f18htclass.com/n_rules.html) And BOY, it is no shorter or less restrictinve then the F18 rules. a few examples :

It limits the height of the hound fitting to 6.88 m. and 7.28 m.
It limits the height of the boom to no more than 2 times its average width.
Each hull shall be symmetric around its own centerplane, which centerplane may not be vertical when the boat is level.
Foils designed to lift the boat clear of the water are prohibited. The thickness of the section of hull appendages shall not exceed 50.0 mm. Appendages shall be straight or of constant radius.

It even specifies the maximum weight and thickness of the boards and the dimensions of T-foils rudders. Among an assorted array of other small limits.

I don't really understand why the 18HT class tries to keep up the myth that is an open development class just like the A's or C's. The update HT rules have pretty much put the HT together with the F18, F20, F16 and Tornado's. Welcome !

-2- The only minor developement we can expect are planing hulls although the required "symmetrical hull rule" will hamper this development as well as a good planing surface will almost certainly require assymetic hulls. Having said this; the planing hull development is open onder the "restrictive" (?) F18 rules as well. In case of the rig ; you have limited it to the same rig as the other formula classes. the rules are almost identical.

-3- "a lot of talent sailing the boats"; we've been hearing this more often ; but simply put mr Brown, mr Cogan and mr whatever do not qualify as "alot of talent". Anybody who is somebody at the HT events is a visitor. Pretty much all "talent" is Tornado grown and now out for a holliday. Don't get me wrong this is all great fun but if the trustees would choose any other class they could easily get double the talent if not 10 fold more.

However, I am surely watching this years ICCT challenge as cat sailing is cat sailing and it shapes up to be a fun event. Just like the C-class challenge. Drama there already. Team Australia broke their wing !

That is all

Wouter