Hello Grob

It seems keeping an open class is a good concept , the concern is support , commitment from teams ,and getting numbers of open category boats on the starting line .

I,m all for an open class scored seperately on a first across the line wins basis ,started seperately at a latter time off the beach .

As inventor you may appreciate the earlier 1000 mile event boat entrants in 87 when rules were only limited to a 20 ft length .--We had boats with 10 ft racks on each side which were very fast , quick math reveals that a 200 LB crew an additional 10 ft out on a rack provides 2,000 ft Lbs of added righting leverage .-Recall another entry ,-a SC 20 with 40 ft wing mast .-A 12 ft beam Hurricane showed with adjustable side stays that allowed the mast to be adjusted and canted .-I built a planning hull 12 ft beam cat with canting rig ,-though unsuccessfull -great fun ,and fasinating learning experience, though very humbling .

I,m not sure if this type of wide open class should be run again , it may be a sub topic for discussion as well , though think the preferance is towards existing available open category cats like the Tornado -Marstom 20 CFR -AND other larger beam lighter weight cats up to a specified L and or T-rating number as per 05 rules.

Take care -

Carl