anyone here have an opinion about the rating on the F17? Fast/slow/otherwise?

I've only raced against one, and have never sailed it. It seemed very comparable to my FXone speed wise. I was a bit faster upwind, and could point just a bit higher, the F17 was a bit quicker downwind. He still beat me that weekend, and I think the F17 is two points lower than my boat.

I think its too slow and needs to be improved.

I am surprised no F17 sailors have offered any opinions. I saw from another thread that Curry is on the committee... would that be a conflict of interest?

You're right Phaedrus. In a sport where so much emphasis is on 'sportsmanship' it is strange that none of the 'F'17 sailors has an opinion on how sporting or otherwise their rating is. More worrying still that the 'Director' - whatever that is - of the class has no opinion to offer.

I was seriously hoping that someone would cough up an opinion since this was brought up on the main forum as well. Maybe not responding is the best course of action.
I think some comment is due, especially since Nacra does use the N17's results in OPEN class racing in promotions. Which, once again, brings up Bob's conflict of interest as he is on the COMMITTEE!
USSAILING Dpn committee:

Role
Darline Hobock Chair
David B Osborn Member at Large
Mark P Harris Member at Large
James E Diamond Member at Large
Deborah K Schaefer Member at Large
Bob Curry Member at Large
Wallace F Cook Member at Large
Kevin D Kirkpatrick Member at Large
Carl D Reigart Member at Large
Bernie P Kuse Member at Large

But, in the end, if no one wants to contribute that is their decision and the only person I want to hear a response from won't likely respond so let it go.
There are legitimate reasons the number hasn't changed- like not a lot of open class racing done with the boat, a lot of distance racing being done when one does race open class (not reportable). Someone could have brought that up.


BTW....
I have NOTHING against the boat that is the N17. I of course, think some other boats are better or worse than it, but that goes for any cat.

Since every cat of interest is on the list, your logic dictates that committee members can't own a cat without creating a conflict of interest.

If you have one shread of evidence that Bob Curry has displayed any unsportsman-like behavior in his tenure on the Portsmouth committee, speak up. Otherwise, I hope he flattens your nose next time you meet for even mentioning anything but perhap a heartfelt, "Thank you, Bob".

IMO, the Portsmouth committee is a collection of generous volenteers who have displayed supreme sportsmanship, donating their sailing time only to receive HEAPS of abuse for creating this very useful handicapping system. I see them them as sailing martyrs. We should name a race after each member.

If your sailing venue, like most, is made up of a mish-mash of mixed boats, Portsmouth is the lever that makes racing work. Period. I haven't seen an OD class race on the Dunedin Causeway in 10 years and we sail year 'round. If you don't sail open, don't say a word. If you sail OD, God bless you and your wallet.

Three cheers for the Portsmouth committee!

I agree, difficult point to make because the members are usually sailing something on the list, but are any of them presidents of their class and really active in promoting the class?
Bob is welcome to challenge the statement himself. I am no threat to his status as an accomplished sailor so what does he care. He brags about his accomplishments racing in open class on the N17 so I figure he could say "just right" in terms of the rating. I have evidence of poor sportsmanship, but not concerning the committee.
It wasn't just me that made mention of the N17's rating. N20 sailors, F18 sailors, F16 sailors....
Was just thinking someone in the N17 crowd would have some opinion they would like to share. Of course no one has to participate in any of these discussions, as we should all be sailing anyway.