That's kewl. Actually a lot of frostbiting is done in prams, like El
Toros and Sabots. Not sure what the attraction is for smaller
boats--perhaps the reasoning is that a larger dink might take longer
to right after a capsize.

IMHO there are several attractions... less rig-up time so
you spend less time in the freezing parking lot... more
tactical racing over a smaller area, so you can sail races
right in the basin. And it's not a bad reason, being able ot
right the boat more quickly & easily. They certainly have
less stuff to get tangled in.


In 40 degree water hypothermia comes
knocking at your door right quickly.


Not if you're dressed properly.
OTOH it's also possible that the thermal shock of immersion
could cause pretty much instant cardiac arrest... it happens
sometimes. As with much else in nature, human response to
hypothermia follows a bell curve.


Walt wrote:
I think it has to do with the ease of rescue. If there's a capsize, the
RC can pluck the sailor out of the water and then do the same with the
boat - Cape Cod Frosty's are light enough that the class enforces
minimum weight requirement by having the sailor stand on a scale holding
the boat.


Great idea. I also like the minimum sailing weight rule
which includes the crew. Clearly, a boat on these
proportions is going to be very sensitive to crew weight.

DSK

DSK wrote:
Walt wrote:

Cape Cod Frosty's are light enough that the class enforces
minimum weight requirement by having the sailor stand on a scale
holding the boat.

Great idea. I also like the minimum sailing weight rule which includes
the crew. Clearly, a boat on these proportions is going to be very
sensitive to crew weight.

I guess I wasn't clear: actually, they have the competitor stand on the
scale twice, once while holding the boat, once without, and then take
the difference. It's the easiest way to weigh the boat.

I don't think there's an all-up minimum weight, including crew.

//Walt

Walt wrote:
I guess I wasn't clear: actually, they have the competitor stand on the
scale twice, once while holding the boat, once without, and then take
the difference. It's the easiest way to weigh the boat.

I don't think there's an all-up minimum weight, including crew.


Well, the rules on the class web site have what seems to be
an all-up minimum.

** * ** quote ** * **
http://www.capecodfrosty.org/rules.htm
Rules (... snip ...)

4. Weight correction. Hull weight shall be a minimum of 34
lbs. including flotation but without rudder, daggerboard,
spars and sail. Under-weight hulls must be reconstructed to
conform. The adding of non-buoyant materials to increase
hull weight is prohibited.

Minimum combined weight of hull and crew in sailing clothing
shall be 214 lbs. Weight correction to bring crew-hull to
proper weight shall be made by carryig water-filled plastic
ballast bottles (8 1/2 lbs. per gallon) in the boat, up to a
maximum of 4 gallons. Ballast bottles may not be moved while
racing.

DSK wrote:

Walt wrote:

I guess I wasn't clear: actually, they have the competitor stand on
the scale twice, once while holding the boat, once without, and then
take the difference. It's the easiest way to weigh the boat.

I don't think there's an all-up minimum weight, including crew.

Well, the rules on the class web site have what seems to be an all-up
minimum.

** * ** quote ** * **
http://www.capecodfrosty.org/rules.htm
Rules (... snip ...)

4. Weight correction. Hull weight shall be a minimum of 34 lbs.
including flotation but without rudder, daggerboard, spars and sail.
Under-weight hulls must be reconstructed to conform. The adding of
non-buoyant materials to increase hull weight is prohibited.

Minimum combined weight of hull and crew in sailing clothing shall be
214 lbs. Weight correction to bring crew-hull to proper weight shall be
made by carryig water-filled plastic ballast bottles (8 1/2 lbs. per
gallon) in the boat, up to a maximum of 4 gallons. Ballast bottles may
not be moved while racing.


Damn those pesky facts!

Do I get my usenet license suspended if I admit I was wrong?

//Walt