Thom,



As usual you bring up some very good points. Let me address a few.



Insurance --- there are a couple of companies available to write the policy for each team. This will be part of a package that is sent to teams once we get to that point.



As for designs and their durability. All builders are being told of the series rules that each boat must be able to run the entire series and since each builder is being held responsible for product liability insurance the staff feels that it is self defeating for a builder to build a boat that they know or think might break easily. Additionally, the designers are being told that the boats must be designed to sail in 25knots of wind as the series will not be called until wind speeds exceed that for an extended period of time.



Also, since teams are limited to a design a season and a certain amount of parts iti s also thought that teams will think long and hard before they push the envelope too far in regards to weight for speed.



Generally it is felt that all the designs will fall into the 330-350 lbs range with the main difference being in mast, rigging, and sails weight. If this is true than hull shape and sail plan design will be the only major factors that the boat brings.



Most focus from the teams will probably be in the mast,sail plan configuration as it pertains to each team.



As for the series racing, there will be nine different locations and a week long championship. The sites will be announced shortly but are prestigous and have a strong constant wind speed average. 3 west coast sites, 3 mid west sites, and 3 eastern us sites. WIth the championship series in southern us.



Steve