I don't know if anybody even has an SL 16 YET. But I thought it would be nice if the F16 class would publicly extend a welcome to the SL16's, and also to the Hobie 16 with spinnaker.

The kids need to be able to practice tactics in a one-design or formula situation. And racing against the faster boats will just help to make them better and faster. (You usually get faster chasing a rabbit than BEING a rabbit.)

The youth sailors in Europe have had lots of experience on spinnaker boats, and our kids don't -- so they get trounced when they go to ISAF Youth Worlds.

It would be a really good gesture on the part of the F16 Class to welcome the two youth boats. It would be a good class to help them with their training. And it's not like there are a lot of them. You might be lucky to get one or two, now and then. But at least it would be a start. And if they know there is a class they can race in, the youth sailing might start to grow.

It will be a long time (if ever) before there are racing classes of youth catamarans around the United States. So the Formula 16 Class is a logical place for them to be able to race against somewhat similar boats.