I belong to a rebel Fleet here in Texas, and would like to solicit positive ideas on how we might have the first X-Fleet races, (X16, x18,x18w/sp x20w/sp) four classes. It is my assertion that the portsmouth system is not satisfying to the racers. We do not have much class racing here. The Hobie 20s will usually have a fleet but even they are dwindling. F18 is trying.
For the skippers that race on the gulf coast I have a question.
What would it take for you to race in an X18 or x20 class and against what boats would you be willing to race.

We can try it at our annual Wayward Winds regatta in Sept this year (if approved). and score it portsmouth as a back up.

Well no takers so I will clarify, While portsmouth racing is what there is and is fairly good at assigning a winner to a race, What it lacks is the ability to race against other boats because everyone is racing against their number individually. To improve your sailing you could memorize rick's books or you must sail against other boats. there are many reasons that my idea will not work, are there any that can make it work, so that 20 ft boats can race each other BFB. It might be a stupid idea but I am a dreamer so help me out here.

Me and Scot Tuma ran this a few years ago. While nobody objected, nobody was really interested either. Based on 8 years scoring races, I think it will work. There may be some rule beaters but,unless the wind is really light or really heavy it should not be a problem.

My suggestion is go ahead and do it. The first year, simple rules, all spin cats are legal (see what happens before you spend a lot of effort). Break it up into 18 and 20 ft classes (for the fun of it, flip a coin to see who gets the P19). Ignore the whinners. After the race plot place vs number of years racing and place vs number of races on their current boat.

Run it in addition to the Portsmouth Class. If the RC objects, donate a trophy and offer to score it.

If you need help let me know

What is an x-fleet?

The Portsmouth Fleet, the handicap fleet.

Normally to race as a one design fleet, 3 or 5 boats are required. If there are less than that, you race in the handicaped or Portsmouth.

In this are the boats that are making class are the H20 and the A-Class. Next year we will probably see the F18 make class.

The Open 20 and Open 18 Class was based on race results in our area. When you group the boats in 18 ft and 20 ft groups the finish times correlate with skipper skill not Portsmouth number(with some notable exceptions, like the carbon 18 sq meter). From what we could tell the speed of the 20 ft spinaker boats were all about the same. Based on this we planned to race the 20 ft spinnaker boats in an informal "F20" class or open 20 class.

Thanks carl, We will probably do just that, Score it straight Portsmouth and then in the F classes and trophy both.