Ok, here is the deal as best we can describe it before final registration…

I let Rick know that the F16 Class would like to “share” their start with any/all low handicap boats, whether they are slotted to have their own starting slot or not. This would obviously include the Open Low group (currently made up of F17s, H20, N6.0s, ARC 21 and the N20s), plus any other Low Portsmouth fleet that want to start/sail in a larger fleet. If the N20’s make up a fleet (which they will probably do), then they are still invited to combine their start with us. Same goes for F18 and all the other similarly handicapped boats. Each fleet would then be scored out into its own fleet for fleet prizes. The overall scoring will be of interest to the Portsmouth committee for ratings purposes, as well.

The F16 class feels like this type of combined fleet start builds camaraderie across fleets instead of segregating everyone to their own areas of the race course. It’ll enhance the party, too – as sailors across fleets will have something to talk about, instead of focusing on a single set of competitors. It’ll also minimize the number of starts (hoping to get in more races) and give individual sailors more opportunity to mix it up on the course with other boats (it sucks to be in a six boat fleet and trail everyone around the race course with no hope of ever getting to yell STARBOARD!!)

Rick has agreed to the idea in principle and will include the Open Low fleet, but will not know the exact make up of the combined start until all the boats are registered. Obviously, any fleet can ask to be in their own start if/when they have the correct number of boats - but we want it known that the F16s are willing to combine with any other boat of similar sailing characteristics for the reasons listed above. Listen closely at the skipper’s meeting for the final roll call.

Thoughts? Opinions? Thoughts from the current Open fleet sailors, N20 sailors, F18 sailors? Anyone?