Stewart,
<br>There is a lot of truth in what you say. Marstrom is probably the only manufacturer currently equiped to make
<br>'high tech" boats.
<br>
<br>In this case it is a name to set 16ft boats of higher performance apart from the rest.
<br>
<br>My concer regarding the min weight is that you create an arms race that very few can afford to participate in. (Not much point being the only F16HT on the water.) Even the A class has a min weight to prevent this type of thing.
<br>
<br>I think 100kg is a reasonable weight considering the boat may need to take the loads of being sailed 2 up with a jib and spinnaker in addition to the main.
<br>The A class has a min of 75kg and does not have to take the loading that comes from the extra crew, spinnaker and jib.
<br>
<br>As far as a "solid wing mast". Appart from several C class cats built specifically for the "Little Americas Cup".
<br> Bob Forbes had one built back in the 80's for a NACRA after seeing Wild Turkey "run away and hide" in the US 18sq championships. They are the only two that I know of outside the "LAC". Well this didn't take off in the 80's and I don't see why it would do any better now. Allowing this is not a good way to get a 16ft Formula off the ground.
<br>
<br>The idea is to create a Formula Class for the 16ft boats that are capable of competing against F18 boats on a boat for boat basis.
<br>
<br>I think this is a worthwhile objective and the rules that are finally decided upon should be considered in this context.
<br>
<br>This is just the way I see it.<br><br>