Catfan posted a link from Bimare where they are asking us if they should form a box rule around their new 14 foot uni-rigged cat or keep it SMOD. (http:/
It got me thinking... What would it mean for a manufacture to create a box rule that is designed to fit their boat? Would any other manufactures even bother to fit a boat into the rule? What if box rules were made around other current one-designed?
For example, what if a box rule was created just like the F16 or F18 box rule set, except all the dimensions were set such that the Hobie 16 just fit within the box. (ie, the boat must be at least as heavy as a H16, the mast can be no taller than an H16's mast, boat can be no longer or wider than an H16, no daggerboards allowed, main and jib can have no more sail area than an H16. etc.) If some individual or company then built a boat that fit the box, how much like the H16 would the boat look? Could they build a boat that fit in the box but was significantly faster?
That said, I think that any boat that was supposed to introduce youths to cat sailing (as this project 14 boat is supposed to be,) should be built within a box rule, because that seems to be the direction that cat sailors prefer.
What say you?
This is not my area of expertise, but I think box rules are generally created by sailors, and they typically form a class association to govern them.
Manufacturers may have limited input, but it would be hard to imagine that they would be writing the actual rule.
Just my uneducated guess...
Mike
Sailors, band together to create a box rule in partnership with several builders. The obvious goals is to get a large number of boats on the water competing in a fair and level game.
Some box rules work very well... F18's and A class. The success of the box is proven on the water... The boats are equal in performance Or in the case of A class... boat design is part of the game ...
There is an active F14 interest group who were building boats and working on a rule... My WAG is that Bimare, took their own solution out of this mix and now wants to grab some marketing pizazz..
In the end... it will sort out on the water... Racing will happen... It could be
handicap in Open Class racing.
handicap in a small rating band racing.
level racing.
SMOD one design racing.
Formula 14 racing.
It's a bad sign... when you look over your shoulder and don't see a group of sailors with different designs following you to the starting line... Formula is probably not an option that has a shred of integrity.