Hi Sarah:

I've got no problem with water jackets if total crew is underweight.

As a point of Historic Information . . . the Leon Russell wore water jackets in the 1987 NA's . . . and got away with it.

At least water jackets under this provision would be legal!

:: Sure, no weight limit, but anyone sailing light allowed
:: to pump water equivalent to the heaviest crew + 100
:: pounds from side to side perched on the rail at the
:: fattest part of the boat.
::
::
::
::
:: :: The weight limit is screwed up and always has been since
:: :: improsed. I suggest it be dropped.
:: ::
:: :: It makes it tough to find a steady crew. And, as far as
:: :: I could see, only is enforced at the NA regionals.
:: ::
:: :: The weight limit, which was originally open, was always
:: :: fine by me. That means no matter who jumped int he class
:: :: at a higher weight tuned to a specific regatta
:: :: condition.
::
:: :: #1050 to 1100#s is an the ideal total crew weight all
:: :: around (upwind + downwind) weight. Some tried 1200#s
:: :: when the fleet still did triangles (which I happento
:: :: like) and did well when it blew. However, 1200#s is
:: :: markedly slow on the downwind run of windward leeward
:: :: courses.
:: ::
:: :: After the open weight limit, the 1000# was imposed. Then
:: :: dropped to #880; the same as a J24 go figure.
:: ::
:: :: Politically, this weight was pushed on the class by
:: :: Steve Lake, Ralph Morgan, and others who or are members
:: :: of the Pinneaple Sails Coalition.
:: ::
:: :: Members of this ancient (1988) voting block no longer
:: :: have boats, or sail at all.
:: ::
:: :: I suggest the weight limit be reexamined. I personally
:: :: would vote for its elimination entirely.
:: ::
:: :: Mike Bruzzone