Mark,
With today's limited number of viable one design cats, particularly high performance spinnaker cats, I favor some variation of Mark S's proposal.
Mark has basically suggested that ALL boats be grouped by performance characteristics and raced under Portsmouth handicap AND, if design/class numbers allow then score as a one-design/formula class as well.
Mark further pointed out that this has been done at two recent races in his area, Rehoboth and Gunpowder. At Rehoboth the Tigers, Hobie 20s, F-18HT-Jav 2s, P-19MX, etc raced in one decent size fleet. The Tigers and H-20s were scored as one-design fleets as well. This made for a successful solution.
One problem arose however, the open boats slower than 0.72 were not allowed to participate, as the organizers did not want to slow down the racing. I propose that the Rehoboth Regatta could have been even better if the H-16, H-17, and H-18, and slower than 0.72 boats race as one fleet and be scored both handicap and one-design. such a fleet grouping would have made for better racing in my opinion. I know that this is a Hobie Regatta, however this is just my opinion.
I hear that OCRA uses a similar format, so can we get some input from them?
BTW, the old forum died, so long live the new forum. Let's ignore the old forum's reserrection.