Ok guys what about this thought process.
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<br>We adopt a rule set that allows two catagories of sail area. Main/jib and then spin/gennaker. Outline a vague rule that states "the combined sail area shall be XXXX sq foot to be comprised of main jib and spinnaker/gennaker or ANY combonation there of."
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<br>Couple this with a rule that states "the maximum mast height shall be XX , watertight and be built out of any material commonly available"
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<br>Spinnaker poles are class legal but should not exceed XX ft. with any hoist/stowage system being classified as acceptable (pending safety review)
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<br>Safety review --- the assoc. has the sole descretion of decertifing any boat, gear, or sail plan as unsafe to the class, user or assoc.
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<br>If we take these approaches then most of the complicated issues will be worked out on the race course. A few people will try to innovate. GREAT it brings new ideas, interests, and people to the sport. But, most will take minimum steps to modify their boats to make themselves "feel" faster.
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<br>We can run models everyday to try and make everything equal but, at the end of the day there are just too many variables. Wind, weather, sailors, boats, training, wave shape, if the idiot remembered to put the plugs in, etc, etc, etc,
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<br>Lets just make a real simple set of rules that can be gradually added to on an annual basis (with the approval of the voting class) to get this beast started.
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<br>Sponsors are willing to bring dollars to the table which will fund interest into the class. Which in turn will bring sailors and then manufacturers.
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<br>Steve<br><br>