Hi Will:

No doubt people will optomize to hit whatever the weight limit is. I'm just suggestining a range where the boat performs at its optimum. That is I have no oppposition to 1000#, but prefer 1030#, where I can always find four normal size people, besides myself, easily with no administrative hassles or the time trap of searching for extra lite crew.

In addition, I am not opposed to weight jackets too bring up any crew needing those few extra pounds to make a weight limit. Weight jackets were once used in this fleet.

I am concerned that your lite 165#s in the back of the boat vs my 230 to 250 is to your advantage. And, I wish I was back at 165#s. However, that's almost an impossibility; I like steak.

And, as you mentioned, you've got one 250#der on the rail first before any other crew. Or, in combination with your bowman that's like almost like 2 and 1/2 average weight or 3 light size people, on the rail right away, compared to most other five person crewed boats.

Sorry, to give away your secrets. And, even as I like a 250#pder up there on the rail sailing PHRF. And do in fact optomise for conditions which I actually find quite fun. Which is one of the 'grand priz' optimizations I like to do for open racing, if you can truly call MORA or any PHRF event around here grand prix? Your option, 165#s in the back and 250#der + bowman on the rail before anyone else, with some light person pulling in the headsail, is simply not available to me, or anyone else, at my weight.

Of course, I could go with four as you suggested. However this materially prejudices the boat on three fronts;

1) My big butt in the back 2) One heavy guy off the rail pulling in the headsail. 3) Less than the equal of your 250#pder + bow on the rail, if for only 20 seconds through a tack. An issue rasied previously in the fleet concering Soren & Lida's arrangement for keeping people up on the rail. That is obviously the lee bow issue.

This weekend there is at least one four crewed boat. And the conditions may be moderate enough, and the people known smart enough to do well.

I still prefer 1030#s.

Regards, Mike

:: Mike,

:: I don't understand your logic on this. How will
:: increasing the weight limit not end up with bigger
:: people still dieting to make that weight limit?
There:: will always be a competition to have the ideal weight no

:: matter what the rule is.
::
:: ::
:: :: Hi Again:
:: ::
:: :: I favor a 1030 to 1050 weight limit . . . but would not
:: :: oppose 1000#. That extra 30#s to 1030 makes crew
:: :: selection no sweat . . . and no one will have to diet
:: :: before a weight imposed resgatta.
:: ::
:: :: MB
:: ::
:: :: :: I also vote to re-examine this wieght limit thing. I
:: :: :: also like 1000#. As I and my friends get older, its
:: :: :: harder to stay under 880. My female crew member is in
:: :: :: the Olson Nationals in Tahoe so I'm stuck with 185 to
:: :: :: 210 guys!
:: :: ::
:: :: ::
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: 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