What I have heard is the following talking points.
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<br>The factories do not believe that "the formula class will generate measurer's to measure and sticker all sails"
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<br>Second, there is such a small market in the US...they would like to protect their local dealers to some degree so that they make a buck or two.
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<br>Third... They feel a huge group of prospective sailors equates one design with economical sailing. They feel the market for new boat sales will be small unless they can assure the guy of some cost control... therefore they would like to write in factory authorized sails and equipment They point to the Prindle 19 class where rapid sail changes in chutes and main sails pissed a lot of sailors off... ergo.. it was a money game.
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<br>if they allow any equipment to be used... the boat weights will have to be determined
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<br>Finally, the US mentality is One design... pretty much defined by Hobie. They want rules that make a one design nationals identical to what they now run.
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<br>Finally my own opinion.... What will Hobie fleets do with a formula 18 class. I suspect they will race formula untill they get enough tigers for a one design fleet. None of the Tiger sailors have responded to my question on the open board... What happens when 5 tigers show up with 5 F18's... is there a formula race or two one design races. Since they run many of the regattas this is a crucial issue.
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<br><P ID="edit"><FONT class="small"><EM>Edited by Mark Schneider on 11/21/01 06:52 PM.</EM></FONT></P>