F18 crew weight myth

I keep hearing over and over, how the F18 can't handle 350+ lbs of crew weight. Well, last week, Dave and I weighed in at full pork mode - 360 lbs (that's pretty sad considering we used to have to work to make the 330lb min). We raced over 4 days in everything from 5-10 knots to over 20 knots of wind. At no point did we suffer from lack of boat speed. Lot's of time we lined up against Enrique and his crew at 310 lbs, and he had nothing on us upwind or downwind. I would say the boatspeed among the top 10 boats was almost identical, and the crew weights were as much as 50 lbs apart.

That's just my observations from the F18 NA's.

Mike, you and Dave put down some very consistent numbers against a tough crowd, well done my friend.

Ding

Indeed!

The top crews at the last worlds where between 340 and 350 lbs, so just 10 lbs above this should not be a problem I guess. From my experience it gets more difficult above 380 lbs.

Thanks guys. It was definitely a tough crowd. One mistake and you paid for it dearly.

Really nice job Mike. The top spots definitely looked hard to come by.

And I'm sorry to hear of your weight gain.

joke.... joke....

What a great week. Very sorry I missed it. You were really blessed with the weather you had.

Mike Hill

It was all in the crew work. I was just the loose nut on the tiller...

Great Job, Mike & Dave A finish to be proud of.

How about 385-400 lbs (US)?

Are there final results posted anywhere. I could only find partial post from the NA 18 site.

If you were looking at the NAF18 site that is the full results. There was no racing on Friday.

2008 NAF18 Championship Results

Way to go Dave and Mike.Pretty work.
If you guys are 360 now ,you both must look like black and grey Zhik beach balls.
Like waterbug asked How about 380-400 . Could you be competitive at that weight? Not just keeping the boat afloat.
Todd

We sailed this season at 400lbs (used to sail Stras at 440). Above 15 we were fast upwind and no worries downwind. Medium air, we were equal upwind, sailed hotter downwind to keep up. Light air, we could do OK upwind if we footed a few degrees, but got killed downwind. We are planning on cutting another 20lbs for next year.

Great news, I started my annual post summer diet for the next season. Because of that news I am going to order a beer and Nachos!!!

Ken and I were 369 and could definately see a difference up and down. When the level goes up, the weight shouldn't, haha