The posts on the FX Chute size got me thinking about it. Could the Nacra 5.0 (or Mystere for that matter) qualify as an F16HP? I know they are heavier than the Taipans, but they'd be fun with a spinnaker. The new 500 is really cool with the non-overlapping jib and a nice rudder system. They remind me a lot of the Dart 18 (just a little heavier).
Not a competitive question, just curious.
Mike Tiapan 4.9 #213
The answer is :
Every boat type that does not breach any of the F16HP rules is allowed to race in F16HP races. SO if the 500 is :
- not longer than 5 mtr.
- hasn't more RATED mainsailarea than 13,0 sq. mtr.
- hasn't more overall jib + main Rated sailarea than 16,33 sq. mtr.
- doesn't have a taller mast than 9 mtr.
- isn't wider than 2,5 mtr.
- Hasn't a bigger shute than 17,5 sq. mtr.
- doesn't weight less than 100 kg's
Than yes, the boat qualifies as a F16HP.
Wouter
Stats on the N500 (I assume my N5.0 is similar) from the Performance web site:
Length 5.08m
Width 2.50m
Main 14.0m
Jib 3.8m
Weight 154kg
Looks like it's too long and has too much sail area, although I don't know what RATED sail area means.
Wonder why the Nacra isnt called a 5.08 then!!...
There is a big difference between actual area and rated area. Rated area = actua area times efficiency ratio. This ratio is somewhere between 0,80 and 0,95 so rated area is always between 0,5 and 2 sq. mtr. smaller than the actual sailarea. The efficiency is largely determined by the aspect ratio of the sail which is a measure of the slenderness of the sail. Slender sails are more efficient in producing power per unit of area.
Its (nacra 5.0) rated sailareas are actually
12,36 + 3,92 = 16,28 = which is less than the limits imposed on the sails by the F16 rules (13,0 + what is left for jib = or less than 16.33)
It's hulls do appear to be to long by some 0,08 mtr. (strange length 5.08 mtr.) 16,5 ft = 5,03 mtr. So this boat is something like 16,6721 ft. long. Remarkable.
Personally, despite the fact that the hulls breach the length rule, I would not exclude any 500 or 5.0 sailors from racing with us. That is with the exception of nationals and other pure class cups, coz these will always be true class races without compromises. The 500 and 5,0 are already at a 12 % disadvantage because of the high overall boat weight and I would personally consider it bad taste when a crew so devoted to sailing that they would accept such a disadvantage would be excluded from proving their skill by overcoming it just because of 3 inches of extra hull length.
I would deeply respect such a crew when the would reach the finish line first before the true F16's.
Wouter
(This is my personal opinion, not necessarily the same as when I act as the chairman of the class when dealing with a appeal)
I appreciate your willingness to include 5.0s, at least on a casual basis. (Of course, those Taipans, etc would blow me away, especially with my neonatal skills) That's the way to grow a class... That seems to be the essence of formula racing--get away from brand names and manufacturers and push more for optimizing performance within a certain context. This appears to be the best way to grow fleets and encourage diversity, creativity and progress. It would be nice to see the formula concepts more widely used--less Hobiecentrism or Nacracentrism.
This concept has worked for years in sports car racing with the Sports Car Club of America (and probably in European touring car racing). Porches, Alfas, Triumphs, Ferraris, Mazdas, Nissans, Mercedes, Corvettes, etc race head to head. Different classes are divided up based on engine displacement and a few other factors, and the cars of different marques race head to head on elapsed time, which is always infinitely more interesting than dealing with corrected time. (No one wants to watch a race where the first across the line doesn't win; and it's really deflating to be the person to "win" but not really win.) Drivers all have differing and strongly held opinions regarding which sports car marque is the best, and thats okay--race whatever marque you want, just comply with the formula for the class you want to race in. Each car maker tries to develop and offer the best car they can, rather than just offer something mediocre but only racing against itself. One-design racing sometimes does that--sometimes a mediocre product is created, sold to the masses, and "closed" class racing ensues. Sure, that offers a "level playing field." Fact is, most of us sail cats because we're thrill seekers. We want speed, progress, technology. If we weren't into those things, we'd probably be sailing...well, let's just say there's less interesting boats out there. Using a formula instead of a manufacturer one-design to define a class seems like the best way to foster ongoing progress in the context of fair racing.
Good luck in promoting the formula concept!
Too bad Fresno is so far away. We'd like to have you and your goo attitude at some of our races in Florida. We are luck to have a lot of good sports to sail with/against. The 5.0 with a spinnaker would be a fun boat (fun already, just adds some spice).
Mike #213
Wouter