I think the main invitation given out the F16 class to all SIMILAR performant boats was lost somewhat in the thread.

This invitation is the result of my proposal to invite the F17 (nacra 17's) to the F16 fleet (our fleet). By this time the F16 class has enough boats at the tradewinds regatta to demand their own start. The US F16 association has decided NOT to excersize that right because it does not believe this to be in the best interest of US cat sailing or even in the best interest of the F16 sailors.

Certainly on my accord I feel that it is just plain silly to have 2 nacra 17's compete in the open Portsmouth class when these boats are so similar to the F16's that it will be alot more fun for all to welcome them to the F16 fleet. This is what lead to my proposal of inviting the Nacra 17's to race the F16's on a first in wins basis. Call it a challenge to Bob Curry and friend to show how much of a FAD boat the F16's really are.

After discussing this proposal in the US F16 class Tom Shannon came back to us with an even wider invitation. So not only Nacra 17's are welcomed but all catamarans of comparable performance. I intepreted this as an invitation to both the Nacra 17's and F18's to form a single fleet that races on "first in wins". A bold move by the US F16 association as indeed the F18's have their midwinters at tradewinds, but still it was felt that an invitation should be truly open to all. And so it was announced.

There was of course another element in Toms invitation and one that confused many of us. This was the point that it may be enjoyable if all boats of similar behavour were groupped together. This would put the I-20's and N6.0's in the fleet with the F16's and nacra 17's because all are pretty close together in speed. This may indeed be a little open minded for most US sailors. But the this part of the invitation stands.

Still I personally feel that the invitation to the nacra 17's and F18's is the most important one as those boats are truly very comparable around the course and can race first in wins with a "crate of beer" price to final winner.

So Nacra 17 sailors what do you say ? Bob ? F18's ?

Wouter