sail inventory and handicap

Here's the current thinking for the 2010 season. "Dark 'n Stormy" PHRF rating to remained unchanged and again be based on J/105 one design sail config (class jib and 89 sq meter spinnaker). This will be the sail configuration for all serious racing (all events besides Wed nites). Another spinnaker (2004 Ullman AP) was acquired over the winter to replace the ancient North class kite destroyed in October's BOCC race. In addition, I have just ordered a class legal Hood code zero spinnaker (55 sq meter) and a UK/Halsey class kite (89 sq meter) designed as "runner" versus the standard AP (all purpose) spinnaker. These two additions will best round out the sail inventory. The endorsed IRC application only awaits the dimensions of the new runner before submitting the batch of paperwork and will be based on class sails.

Wed nite racing will again likely permit genoa and 110sq meter kite and (a lower PHRF rating though I would prefer one-design configuration). Not acquiring a new PHRF genoa this year - we will continue to use the old genoa sail only on Wed nites when conditions are less than 10kts. On lite air Wed nites we might want to experiment with the code zero upwind and at the windmark mark, unfurl class jib, douse & detach code zero, attach PHRF kite and hoist - ok that sounds a bit crazy but might make sense in certain conditions...maybe I should talk to rigger about adding another spinnaker halyard.

Rationale: Obviously, the upgraded sail inventory is optimized for distance racing racing but should serve us well on smaller courses. I believe the PHRF and IRC ratings based on one-design sails will continue to favor us in med and heavy air and the addition of the code zero will greatly assist light air performance and tight reaching in heavy air, while the runner would supplement downwind sail choices when wind is >10-12kts true. Next (year?) additions would include a new class AP kite and solent staysail.