Hay any H16 racers interested in putting on a distance race just for H16's. Seems the Worrell 1000 has gotten so complex that it has taken the FUN out of the event. If you remember, the Worrell 1000 started out on H16's as a bet, so lets revive the bet and maybe have the event on the west coast one year and then the east coast the next.
I was also thinking lets in include spinnakers for this event sense it will be a long event. The event needs to be I think over 200 miles long to be legitimate and maybe 500 miles long or so. Maybe we could ask Mike Worrell if we can call it the Worrell Classic.
So what do you all think?
Sounds like a great idea.what time of year?BYOB or boats supplied?Big sponsered event or open to everyone?Questions that need to discussed.I personally would be more interested in an international sponsered event where the boats are supplied
Mike
yes i agree it has become too complex. remember the original race went continuously, checkpoint to checkpoint, toughest crew won. it tried to become a media event, and i appreciate the desire to make it 'world class' and mass market it. reminds me of my favorite japanese restaurant, they expanded and the quality disappeared. i watch the watertribe.com distance races for mixed kayaks and assorted beach boats- love the independence and perseverence of the competitors. in what ways can the event be simplified? choosing h16's is a great idea for me since i sail one. i wonder how randy s and other previous racers would improve it, to make it more viable- not necessarily profitable but funner and more attractive for people who want to race?
Except possibly among existing H16 owners, I don't think you would find much interest in a long distance race on H16s. The boat is simply too small and slow for distance racing. I think the current vogue of spinnakers equiped beach cats is a direct result of adding spins to older cats (N6.0, H20) for distance racing. I sailed the Down The Bay Race (Chesapeake Bay) several times on my H16. It was at times fun but it was mostly brutal and I would never do it again.
The guys that sailed the W1000 in the original, H16 format: they had some sack!
Hey Chris,
Don't forget, the proposed new rules for a hobie 16 include a spinnaker!!!!!
You guys have to vote it in though.
My understanding of the process is that the IHCA regions were to vote on H16 rule changes at the Tiger Worlds in Singapore (one vote per region?). I have not heard anything further since the NAHCA call for input last fall.
If there is interest, I can e-mail Rich McVeigh to see what he knows.
Chris Merrell
NAHCA Division 9 Chairman
yes i'd be interested, what spinnaker, specifically, is being discussed? in my area one of the best daysails includes a long downwind run home with a following seabreeze, a spinnaker would be great fun for that.
Quick and dirty: Spinnaker: no, all other upgrades: yes
Please see the separate thread on this forum.
I disagree that the H16 is to slow as last years Telex (placed second on corrected time and finished very high in the overall finish times) and other race results. If sailed right the H16 can be very fast and add a spinnaker it's faster yet. Still my whole point in having a Worrell Classic is not to worry about big turnout or how fast we are but to have a spirited event of endurance. Obviously, it would not be for everyone. The H16 class is large even in North America and I think we could have a great event.