Thom,

Thanks for asking people for their input. The crew minimum is pretty firm at the low end of 360lbs. This is one of the reasons for the three crew option. As you know from the SC22 the boats aren't so weight sensitive and that there can be a good reason to carry extra weight on certain days.



As to viewing, one of the sponsors is working on technology for another project that F22 series will use. Each boat will be equipt with two small cameras and transmitter. The whole package weighs in at 3.7 pounds is IP coded. The spectators will be able to watch the race from monitors on shore or via a live web broadcast. Since each boat is ip coded the viewers can select the view on each boat and around the course. Currently, we are looking at ways to video the course from above and hopefully will be able to bring something together with proper testing before the first event.



Costs of putting on a large professional quality event are sizeable but the payouts to racers will be adequate to compensate a team's expenses for running the series.



Tentatively, the series will be limited to a number of boats and a minimum payout will be guaranteed across the fleet. Since this is a semi pro series racing teams would be encouraged to seek sponsorship to allow them to operate for the entire series.



More to come with the offical announcement.



Steve