Sure it is, you do not even have to have 1, it just can not exceed 3.5m if you do.



And I always though lowering the bar was an aid to help those who were too drunk to stay on the stool but still wished to continue.

Straw?

Hey guys, lowering the bar has nothing to do with drinking bars, nor sheep baas, nor gold bars, but all to do with raising the bar, wait for it, the high jump bar and by insinuation raising and lowering the standard.

Getting back on topic fat boys with big profiles are going to be less aerodynamic, at a real disadvantage in light air, sink the boat down to far on its water lines, unable to move around the boat like the whippets, and we carry the same handicap as the 70 kilo skinny bloke, I vote we allow fat blokes to have the same handicap as a dual hander and be allowed to carry the jib as well, tis only fair.

Talk about lowering the bar...

Sailing is about weight placement and ballancing the boat, not so much about how much weight. Strapping on some fixed lead to the platform just to make the fat lazy guys who do not move on their boat feel better is BS.

*plunk* (sound of Matt stepping on a lot of toes)

Who pissed in your Wheaties! I'm sure Wayne was just kidding anyway.

But now that you mention it. . .

Nobodies toes I have not stepped on before. If I am allowd to carry the weight so it moves where I need it then OK. (Although this may present some issue to catch up with a few of you guys ) Dead weight strapped to a platform is NOT an equalizer. That is my point and it has been the source of many a heated debate, which I am sure you all have heard from more than me.

The weight issue for the F16 is why I chose to get into the class, (Crew more than the platform). I would be racing F18 now if not for their crappy weight handling.

Sorry for being pissy this early in the AM

Wayne we will let you rig up the jib solo when you hit 130kg, which is where I end up doing it 2 up

For those tossing out suggestions on alternations to the class rules, I'll lend you my steel tipped safety shoes when you go into action. Step away

Assuming that everybody who are heavy also are fat and lazy is where you can get into trouble with toes

I object to the lazy part! However, I am living proof that working out at the gym on a regular basis has nothing to do with weight loss! Still, I could probably touch my toes if I could find them.

Life is good, especially pork chops and mashed potatos.

I agree that adding weight to the platform to compensate for a crew too light is a dumb idea. It's better to give them lead weight to carry so it helps the righting moment. Until the crew goes overboard...

But that's not what Wayne proposed. He asked for more sail area to compensate for his weight instead. Fat (no pun intended) chance

Wayne and I are in the same weight range, I'm 93kgs. For the record we both know *where* to place our weight on our boats.

Matt, do you REALLY want to go down this road?

Ding, I stand my my statement and for me it is true. (essentaily there was no F16 available when I wanted to go spin but the issues above with F18 pushed me to building 1)

You and I HAVE been down this road and are pretty familiar with eachothers points. I would be more than happy to discuss it with anyone else - just bring beer or rum

What was the specific practical issue you had with the F18 you where sailing at the time?
How much do you and your crew weigh?

I think Matt's issue with the F18 is easy to understand: he mention his crew weight was 130kgs. How many teams at the F18 world where using the small jib and small spin? The number I've heard is None. Nada. Zero.

It is a clear indication that if your crew weight is less than 140kgs, you are not competitive in the class. And even at 140 you have to carry 10kgs of lead to qualify for the big rig.

Matt, it's your choice of words not the content. I have absolutely no issue with the F18 not being right for you. But don't make your point in such a way "crappy weight handling" that it is directed as a slight at my class. Don't trash the F18 class because you want to make a point about weight in your class.

Do unto others Matt.

[quote=David Ingram
Do unto others Matt. [/quote]

Sorry Dave,

I did not mean to single out the 18 class. It was that was my logical choice of potential platforms when we were looking to go spin. The weight issue is crap across any number of differing classes and it is my opinion and I stand by it. (The 18 class does at least have the differing sail plan)

What we really need in cat sailing is some corrector for height that has a lot more impact in performance than weight on a modern spin boat. The short guys are considerably dissadvantaged in righting moment.

Wider platforms for short people.

The following is not aimed at Matt, I just use his last post as an opportunity.

Weight, height, a body like knitting pins with a swollen head.. It is all the same argument.
Accept that the world is not tailored for you and learn to live with it. It is most often not your body that makes you go slower than optimum on the regatta course. It is what is inside your head. Most other reasons for poor performance are excuses made up by your ego to avoid admitting that other sailors know more about the game and trained harder than you did.

If somebody desperately feel that they need to gain weight or loose weight, there are eating strategies to fix that. Few are willing to study enough and accept the habitutal changes neccesary to have success with it.

Matt:

I agree 100%. I could not tell you how many races I won at 310-320 when we raced the H-16 back in the 80's., when most everyone was around 295. As you said it is all about boat handling and weight placement and how you move around the boat. I can't wait to get on one of your Falcon's.

Doug

Doug,

have you ordered a F16 Falcon?

Nothing like diversion to get off of a sensitive topic (LOL)! BTW string bean, it is "height challenged".

Shorter sailor(s) would be less windage? A book from the 90's talks about keeping crew and skip close to minimize windage, a la road biking.