Rob: I know Brad is trying to build the H-16 class in Div. 15, so he'll probably dislike this, but...

You don't need an H-16 to race more....particularly in the Gulf Coast area. According to the HCA schedule, MWE is the only Hobie sanctioned regatta in Div. 15 this whole year. Are the PCCC(?) fall and spring series races Hobie only?

Fact is, at most regattas in the FL panhandle, AL, MS, LA area, you'll be racing on Portsmouth even if you're on a H-16. I did about 8 regattas/year in our area the last couple of years, and, except for the Hobie-only MWE, the H-16s did not get their own fleet in any of them.

Besides, you don't have to be THAT good to race Portsmouth any more than you do in one-design. You'll face great, good, medium, and poor competition in either. It's just more a matter of sailing your boat to it's rating better than your opponent as opposed to racing boat for boat.

Whichever boat you have, I hope to meet you at person at the MWE in March and sail against you at Slip To Ship!

Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mi'sippi
HCA # 4310