Bill,



There are several issues here.



First---- I do not believe that there is a single manufacturer that currently could build 30-40 high quality race boats in a period of a year and still maintain the light weight, low cost, uniformity that a series based upon a single boat requires.



Second ---- I personally believe that competion between designers, builders and the lot brings new technologies and innovation to the sport.



Third --- I do not think that a team who is spending their own dollars is willing to go that far over the known edge in pursuit of speed as to jepordize their chances of finishing an event.



Four --- A team must finish an event to recieve a check worth the time and effort. Even if the series pays a purse to every racing team they have to finish to make it finanically viable to race the entire season.



Five ---- The series is working to encourage a team to race EVERY event. How this will be handled I do not know yet.



I agree that if you want to see the playing field level to find out the best sailor than it probably should be run on a one-design. However, the goal of the series is provide exciting competitive sailing as a sport to the benefit of the series sponsors, sailors, the sailing community and et al.



For this the series will be run on a Formula basis, with certain rules that prohibit run-away spending and multiple platforms. Rules that encourage sailors to race every event and that reward the best sailor, builder, and designer as well as the sport.



Steve