All boats that are "deficient," meaning less than optimal, have to be "accepted" for racing purposes whenever they show up for a regatta, because they fit within the class specs. You don't have to be a "member" of anything.
If I show up for a regatta with a Hobie 14 with spinnaker, I can sign up to sail in the F16 class if I want to, as a singlehander, as long as my sail area does not exceed the formula class limits; right?
It's not a matter of needing approval from the Formula class people. The approval is implicit in the formula itself.
Mary on the same token, if I show up to a F18 race and tell the RC I am racing as an F18 with a F16 honestly what do you think will happen? What will the members say about me occupying the starting line? What do you honestly think will happen if you show up at an A class event with a wave and inform them you are racing straight up? Seriously, what do you think will happen?
Like I have said numerous times. I am sure NO F16er will turn away a SL16 to race straight up. BUT, in my opinion the F16 as a class should not invite the SL16 to be part of the F16s.
Being narrower is not an issue. Look at the Taipans, they are just as fast as an optimized F16. But when you have a shorter mast, shorter hulls, smaller mainsail and spinnaker and you are 45Kg heavier. That is NOT even close to being an F16.
<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
