Is there a decision about the spinnaker material issue? I am in the market for a new kite and was wondering when is the earliest a decision would be made. I would prefer to keep the 0.6 oz rule if for no other reason than to keep from penalizing those without a lighter kite. Worse yet it will further penalize us detroit guys who have a local one sail a year limitation. Even worse yet I need to buy a new kite this year. I don't want to get stuck with a new heavy kite! Is the fraction of a difference in sail material weight really worth making everyone buy new kite?

While I am on my soap box... What is the history behind the detroit masthead kite anyway. We only use them to race one design. Phrf kills you for using the thing. When did that rule come out? What is the point? I understand it makes the boat faster but if all are faster then why? Can you tell it is time to replace the mast head kite too?

:: Dan,
::
::
::
:: To answer your questions 1) It isn't cheaper to go with
:: AIRX500 and 2) it is much more durable than .6oz poly. I
:: am not trying to promote that everyone go buy a new
:: spinnaker made out of AIRX500 (though that is probably a
:: good sales tool idea) but rather to adjust the rules to
:: keep up with the new advances in sail cloth technology.
::
::
::
:: I think we might want to think about adjusting the rules
:: to not limit us to a certain weight of sail. I think we
:: should still be limited to the number of sails we can
:: carry on board and to how many new sails you can buy
:: every year (something we currently are not limiting). I
:: think this was the purpose of the "one used and one new
:: spinnaker" clause in the rules but it could be written
:: better by limiting a certain number of sails per year
:: instead.
::
::
::
:: Just some suggestions at this point and I really like
:: the fact that everyone is providing some valuable input.
:: KEEP IT UP!
::
::
::
:: Jason
::
::
::
:: Dan Pruzan on 1/21/103 10:44 AM said:
::
::
::
:: >>Jason,
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>My only concern with completely removing the weight
:: restriction on spinnaker cloth is that it would be a
:: real temptation for people to have a light air spinnaker
:: and a separate heavy air spinnaker. Currently, the class
:: rules are written to explicitly prevent boats from carry
:: different special purpose spinnakers.
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>With respect to allowing AIRX500, I have two questions
:: 1) is it cheaper than 0.6 oz poly, and 2) is it more
:: durable than poly. I suppose the lighter weight would
:: make AIRX500 better in light air, but is the added
:: performance worth having everybody get a new spinnaker?
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>Thanks
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>Dan
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>Jason Crowson on 1/20/103 3:35 PM said:
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>>>Well that is one vote for updating the rules. Any
:: other E27 owners have an opinion?
::
:: >>
::
:: >>>>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>
::
:: >>