:: I agree with Will on this. I'd rather keep the racing
:: simple and more dinghy-like. But, I too am just one
:: opinion. By all means lets discuss at the national
:: meeting.
::
:: Mark Lowry
::
:: :: I have installed an expensive B+G system on one Express
:: :: just for PHRF racing. We had performance targets, true
:: :: wind data, and GPS all tied together. The boat is so
:: :: light and responsive that atempting to sail to the
:: :: numbers was impossible. We also found that in any kind
:: :: of shifting breeze or close to shore where there was
:: :: wind shear that the express mast is too short to be up
:: :: where you get clear wind readings and the numbers often
:: :: did not jive with the wind on the sails at the
:: :: moment.The boat is too dinghy like and must be adjusted
:: :: from moment to moment by feel and watching waves and
:: :: puffs to maintain a consistent pace. The numbers would
:: :: not come fast enough to really help- in my opinion.
::
:: :: The biggest advantage to having the integrated
:: :: electronics would be to have true wind speed to help
:: :: make sail selections and having current speed and drift
:: :: data to help with course strategy. If properly employed
:: :: these two things could be such an advantage that it
:: :: would compell the rest of the fleet to install the
:: :: system as a 'must have'. This would make the Express
:: :: more complex to race and of course more expensive.
::
:: :: In fairness integrated electronics would be an
:: :: interesting learning tool for a new team as well as a
:: :: huge benifit for PHRF and any distance racing. I just do
:: :: not think it would improve the fun and fairness of One
:: :: Design competition for the expense. I am but one vote so
:: :: please bring this up for debate / vote at the nationals
:: :: meeting.
::
:: :: Will Paxton
::
:: :: Motorcycle Irene
:: ::
:: :: :: Any more thoughts on integrated electronics?
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: I'm game. When I get some cash I'm going to put a fully
:: :: :: :: integrated tacktic system on my boat. If it's still
:: :: :: :: illegal, I'll pull the unit that ties everything
:: :: :: :: together for class racing (If I do any).
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: I'm just curious to see of the numbers jive with that I
:: :: :: :: feel.
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: This stuff isn't insanely expensive like it used to be
:: :: :: :: which I assume was why it was outlawed.
:: :: :: ::

:: :: :: :: -bryan

:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: Okay, here is my proposal on this. What would be the
:: :: :: :: :: problem with simply eliminating Part A of Prohibitions
:: :: :: :: :: in the class rules? That would move B up to A an so on
:: :: :: :: :: down the line.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: Any opinions?