Sorry to have missed so much while out of town essentially the last three weeks.
<br>I know it's probably too "late" to vote but here are my thoughts-
<br>KISS- Keep It Simple Sailors! I think the simplest rules (ie. predominantly maximum and minimum measurements) are the best, but realize we need SOME restrictions to begin and maintain a viable class.
<br>Mast- Any material, max height 9 meters (perhaps we need a max girth also just to "fend off" any outrageous wingsails/solid sails?? I would put this measure quite large to allow some development however).
<br>Weight- I think 100 kgs. is acceptable right now- We could always do as the "A"'s do- Set the minimum weight for some period of time (say 5 years) then to be reviewed by the class (even though this is true, of course, for ALL the rules!).
<br>Beam- I think 2.4 meter is acceptable since it incorporates all the present boats but 2.5 meter would be the most I would go. I WOULD set a max beam measurement though (at least for the hulls/foils- If we allow racks, which is OK w/ me, then I think 2.4 meter is adequate for the hulls, racks could be any length then).
<br>Spinnaker pole- Material open, design open, max. extension (again, for now to get the class "off the ground" and allow sailmakers some limits to develop within) 0.8 meters forward of bows. No limit on height above water (it will sort out).
<br>Spinnakers- 17 sq. meter max, some max "draw height" but I would go for length UP the mast rather than "vertical height" since I feel this could be contentious and hard to "control" since mast rake will directly affect and length up the mast can be easily measured. Again, I think this will promote sailmaker interest/involvement in the class.
<br>Materials- open.
<br>Maximum length- 5.00 meters, with Stealth (and any other CURRENT designs we haven't met/don't know about already out there) "grandfathered" in. 5 meters is already MORE than 16 feet and includes all but the Stealth and if we start pushing it soon we'll just have a modified "A" class ala the M 18.
<br>Hydrofoils- We probably should address this since the "A" class just did- Don't know the outcome of that since voting is still open. While I think this would be "neat" and may in fact be the wave of the future (no pun intended) I am afraid it would lead to a bit of an "arms war" and would have "regional" effects in that certain venues/areas it may make a large positive difference while in others none so it might "fragment" the class nationally/internationally.
<br>One up/two up- We haven't REALLY addressed this BUT I think it's a boon to this class to KEEP this as an option for ALL boats "involved", this includes "new" designs. I'm not sure how to make sure this happens other than to specify all boats must be capable of carrying some minimum crew weight (140 kg?) and all must be "rightable" by 60 kg person w/o assistance (this to inspire confidence in sailing solo and developement/implementation of solo righting systems/boats).
<br>
<br>That's my thoughts-
<br>
<br>Kirt T 4.9 #159<br><br>Kirt Simmons
<br>Taipan #159, "A" cat US 48