Interestingly, at this year's CRAM Regattas, the 2005 F17s seem almost as fast as the F18, the top F17 finishing within the top 2 or 3 F18s when they start together. I can feel that the 2005 is lighter than my 2000 when I move boats around on the beach, and it seems to be faster than the earlier boats. The skippers are better than I was, so that may be a big part of the reason for the improvement.
Les, leaving aside the last sentence above, how do you understand your observation in relation to the
F17 rules, e.g.
1. OBJECT OF CLASS RULES
1. 1 The NACRA F17 Class Catamarans are a one-design
manufacturers class. The rules, official plans and specifications are
intended to ensure that the catamarans of this class is, as nearly as
possible, the same in regards to shape, weight of hulls, daggerboards,
rudders, spars, sails, and that the equipment is simple, functional and
dependable. The ultimate intent is to encourage the use of only racing
tactics and sailing skill to increase boat speed.
How is this satisfied if the weight has changed over several seasons? Assuming your observation is correct, are the new F17s racing with a PN that reflects their lower weight compared with earlier I17Rs?
Mark.
