Robi, I did not word my initial post very well. At that point I should not have used the word "accept," because it was thought that the SL16 was totally conforming, so it did not need any "acceptance." All I was trying to say was that an invitation should be extended to the SL16 class so they are aware there is a class they can race with until they have enough boats for their own class.

Now that it appears the SL16 is NOT totally compliant because of the jib situation, it is important that the F16 class "accept" the SL16's to race with them.

It would not be appropriate for them to be added to the existing list of non-conforming boats that were grandfathered into the class originally. So I hope that is not what you thought I was suggesting.

And I also think the Hobie 16 with spinnaker should be invited to race with the Formula 16's. Both of these youth boats will continue to be used for quite some time because either one or the other will be used for ISAF Youth World Championships, depending on which boat is most available in the host country.

Both the SL16 and the Hobie 16 with spin are misfits on their own and the F16 class is the only one I can think of that they can race in on a boat-for-boat basis.

It would be a nice contribution by the F16 class to youth sailing if these two youth boats can be invited to race in all F16 events except for Nationals or North Americans.

I hope this clarifies my thinking, fuzzy though it may be. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />