I have not been following the 4.9s closely, however have heard that there is a shipment of 4.9 hulls arriving in Oz soon for fitout..... Indicating the hulls are now built off shore probably along side the Capricorns.
I think the hulls referred to are these :
http://www.catsailor.com/bb_files/103936-AHPC_Viper_F16_artist_impression_medium.jpgGreg send me this drawing as he did with several other 16 foot enthousiasts. As far as I was told , the Taipan moulds are still in Australia and in the possession of Jim Boyer who has sold off his tooling and ended his company Boyer Fibrecraft. AHPC continues as a company with the Capricorn and the Tool A-cat as well their new 16 footer, but she has no access to the Taipan moulds. The new 16 footer is expected to be launched this summer at the F16 zandvoor event. And indeed it is being build off-shore, but not at the same place/company as the capricorn.
AHPC will continue to support the Taipan sailors with parts and sails of course. In his announcement on the Taipan forum Jim himself mentioned that with sufficient customers a batch of new taipans could be build if this group of buyers would find a skilled builder to take on the task. In effect he would lend out the moulds and probably advice on the production. But personally I don't fancy the chances of this happening. Afterall the Taipan was never cheap and one-off batch production will only add costs.
Again, I have clearance from Greg to say in public that the new 16 footer by AHPC, the Viper F16, is aimed at retailling for 14.250 euro In Europe and 19.500 AUD in Australia. The US price will be accordingly. Naturally this is the fully-fitted-ready-to-sail price.
Wouter
(darn ! landyachting not working out for me today)
