copy from old forum -

Posted by 6.0 class vote from 216.223.205.5 on December 12, 19102 at 12:15:39:

The board of directors along with Performance Catamarans Inc. came to a unanimous decision regarding the 6.0 NA class vote on spinnakers. Due to lack of participation from the members and owners it was concluded that the class should stay as is for around-the-buoys racing, but because of the clear trend of those who did vote, add a one-design spinnaker package for point-to-point racing. (Long Distance)
It was clear that there has been an increase in 6.0 participation in long distance races and that spinnaker use for these has become the norm. The basic communications have all pointed for a closed one designed spinnaker package so as to stop the uncontrolled arms race in theses open events. With this in mind the board recommends the development of a spinnaker package
for long distance racing only as per rule # 8.Once sail and package has been developed the rule will be modified to fit the new updated sail plan.
Performance Catamarans Inc. has indicated it will work to complete a package as soon
as possible for the beginning of 2003 season.

My offbeat humor again upon reading the 6/0 spin ruling posted on the old forum reminds me of a Rodney Dangerfield comedy movie about going back to college along with his son with the great line in it, -;call when you have no class.; -------the Triple Lindy dive, -it;s a classic comedy.—anyway-
How many small groups dwindling in number and dead boat classes do we have now spread out around N A, -how many more are on their way to the same fate with dwindling numbers of discouraged sailors that want great class racing.
How many similar groups would like to upgrade and modify boats with spin and snuffer packages in various forms with spin and sails of their choosing for buoys and also becoming more popular great distance races like the new 500 mile Keys to Tybee race. Also the numerous other races where specialized modification is really needed not only for better boat speed but real concerns and safety issues at sea in these types of ocean distance races.

Most boat mfg. have a biz agreement with a particular sail-making firm to produce their sails that they are bound and obligated to uphold. This obviously limits and defines decisions as applied to many mfg. boats. Not just sail limitations, but reef points, and furler types for them , -hardware, -trampoline type and design, mast ,-stays -through the entire list of mfg. class rules intended for mfg. class racing of all the same specific mfg. boat.
Huge variations do occur in these classes with sails, -shapes, -spin variations &;jib types –boat weights, -new upgrades and retrofits for them, and numerous individual modifications that occurs in all classes.

N 6/o s have the original version, -N A version, -Express version, -there are at least 2 with C F masts, -and other versions. Spin sizes we used in the 98 &99 Worrell on the 6/0s were 440 sq. ft range; many have used the 270 sq. ft spin on the 6/0. Current P rating has no standard uniform method to begin {no official class spin} and no accurate way to account for spin size variations or really any specific design variation. One mod. Factor number is used, applied to very different class rules. Again there is no standard consistent basis for this to apply to in P rating based in average times in buoys racing by skippers of very different abilities in each class

Indications from individual leg records over the years of the Worrell would indicate the I-20 being slightly faster even than the 6/0 with huge chute having the majority of those, 6 being set last year on the I-20. Weather dependent but some indication of speed potential in records over time. Better faster versions of the 6/0are certainly possible, but indications are it is not through larger spin sizes alone.
6/0 versions with original self tacking jib -sq top main ,lighter simplified mast , and higher aspect smaller sq ft chute may prove much faster over the range of conditions.

We have new Formula 16 -18 -18 HT and many good reasons to have a N A F-20 class The first I F-20 championships are in Europe this year, more than 100 are expected.

All Formula classes in N A will draw in numerous new teams and people into the sport sailing on numerous brands of cat design with great events along with them over time.
One design, developmental classes, -rated racing, -Formula racing, -it is always great to have these choices. There is a class for each that meets their needs and requirements.

Sailing clubs fleets and event organizers that wish to promote the sport of catamaran racing as their mission statement, constitution and organizational intent would indicate will encourage and assist all these efforts and see their organization and events grow in popularity along with the total numbers involved in participation –total boat sales, -sail making, parts gear and equipment sales and so many different aspects in this great sport of catamaran sailing.

Happy Holidays
Carl