There you go. Now why worry..

"Good for the class" no doubt is a very personal idea.

WOW...

Hi Rolf! Why would I be worried and how is this bad for the class?

Wrong context Pete.

They don't have a boat yet. It is in the works though.

I think this was something that was always a possibility and to some extent the intent. I know that I was involved with the F16's to build a better mouse trap and what better way to define succes then to see the scene converge on the F16 idea.

I'm excited by the prospect but also guarded. On the other hand I have full confidence that the F16 class will keep her rudder straight. By God, she has shown that many times over the last years. The rules are simple and clear; the playing is level for all builders and the performance between boats (even with a little extra weight) is well balanced. Any builder building to the rules is warmly welcomed and if any plays a game of forcing through rule changes to their own liking then they'll get the cold shoulder. In short the F16 class is both clear and just and garantuees a stable class to all builders.

Beyond that I'm anxious to see what Nacra comes up with. Lets give them the benefit of the doubt; it could also be something very good !

Wouter

It will be great for the class although I think it will maybe start 'out dating' some boats? I only say it because it seems like there has been a lot of turnover in the f18 class.

Patrick, I don't see it. I sail against the best and newest frequently. The margin shrinks as my ineptitude shrinks. I actually beat people occassionally.

Honestly, I believe we will only see small, gradual gains in boat perfromance and that will come primarily through weight reduction.

It's really gonna hit the fan when the factories and rock stars realize that in some light air, flat water conditions a sloop doesn't stand a chance against a uni rig. Following that reasoning, when a world class sailor/athlete about 6' 3" and 215 lbs shows up, he will own the class!

I would think that the relative success of the viper points to the fact that small/moderate differences in weight don't make a big difference. I will bet some$$ that nacra f16 will weigh closer to the viper than Matt's boats. Nacra would do well to the alter cup with them too

How much?