There is no "right" answer to this question. Personally, I'd rather sail with 4 people than 5 or 6. Five isn't too bad, but with six everybody gets in everybody else's way on my boat. Moreover, getting crew is easier if you give themself something do other than being rail meat and scuffing their knees on every tack.

Bob: I agree with Bruzoni on the #2. I had one for PHRF but didn't use it once.

:: Hi Bob:
::
:: I've had a #2 in the past primarily for short
:: handed/doublehanded sailing and the 6 seconds allowed
:: under PHRF moving the rating to 135.
::
:: These sails were primarily sold around here to do the
:: doublehanded Farrallons race. And some boats used them
:: on the long down hill runs including Coastal Cup for
:: that rating advantage. They were also used on the Ditch
:: Run until outlawed by the race committee for this
:: particular race which is 90% down wind; most of the
:: time.
::
:: #2s do work well enough upwind when the boat is limited
:: to 4 crew. Otherwise with 5 crew, they have a very
:: narrow range of wind conditions and in my opinion are a
:: waste of time vs going directkly from #1 to #3.
::
:: Personally, I enjoy sailign with the #1 in the top of
:: its range on E27 with 5 (and even up to 6) crew for
:: PHRF. And, for the Fun Series (depite the strategy of
:: that series) would prefer to continue racing with the
:: #1.
::
:: Mike
::
::
:: :: Ralph, thanks for the clarification. I was told when I
:: :: first got my boat that the original crew weight from
:: :: Carl was 1000 lbs. I believe you would know the real
:: :: facts. Still I agree with Mike's argument that a 980 lb.
:: :: weight rule makes much more sense from a management
:: :: perspective and will not appreciably stress the boats,
:: :: as some are concerned.
:: ::
:: :: I don't mind your suggestion of sail changes, either. I
:: :: know from past experience with some other, larger, ULDBs
:: :: that they did not sail well upwind with a #2. Have you
:: :: sailed an E27 with a #2? If so what was the performance
:: :: difference?