It is nice to be close to 880, but I don't believe that it is as necessary as some. When we won the nat'ls a number of years ago we were 40lbs light. I've raced a variety of boats with underweight crew, and though more tender the boats can still go fast upwind with proper trim--it's just a bit harder.

Nationals 2012 will likely be sailed in lighter wind making crew weight a bit less important than in heavy air.

Working to reduce the time crew spends off the rail can help tremendously, as the boat does slow down when people are off the rail and/or on the low side.

And if you are light, the bright side is that you are faster downwind...

BTW, crew weight limit will be enforced as always at the nationals...