While I sometimes secretly enjoy the peachy F16 US ratings as it puts wins under our belt I also feel that it is not fair to other USPN racers.

It is also takes away from the glory of F16 wins as honestly a significant portion is the result of the soft handicap.

I don't want the F16 class to be regarded as handicap beaters like some Frankenstein Boat (see hagar race discussion on www.1design.net).

It is just not fair to the other open class sailors.

Also we get put on the small courses from time to time and this is hurting the willingness of F16 sailors to travel to regatta's.

In general; a rating that is too soft is bad for us as a class. It also creates lazy crews. The founders of the F16 class pride themselfs on being a no-nonsense class that looks at what is real and scientically sound. The USPN ratings are simply not. Or at least not in relation to the often raced F18's and I-20's. It may be right in relation to say a Prindle 18 but how valuable is that ?

Now I've been of accused of being over critical of other classes and now I show that I'm critical of my own class as well. At least I'm consistant

Yes, I truly think we all have a responsibility to keep things fair between boats of different make.

Wouter


P.S. would I really call for faster ratings if I thought that the F16's weren't up to it ? I'm not THAT dumb !