putting on my asbestos suit for this one!



The H16 and N5.0/500 are portsmouth rated aproximately equally, with a slight extra handicap to the '16. When you consider wind, the table splits the listed wind categories between the two boats.



BUT



When you consider the skill and dedication to racing that is found more commonly among '16 skippers than '5.0 skippers, the argument can be made that the '16 is rated as fast as the '5.0 partly because of skipper skill.



(appologies to you 16 sailors out there - notice I just called all of you on balance better skippers)



Personally, being a worse skipper than most H16 racers, I need the advantage of sailing an 'underrated' boat!!



Now if the hot skippers discover the 5.0, start sailing it, and run my handicap up, I'll be seriously in trouble!



Ed Norris