I can assure you that no post has been delete by the class or Rick White. Rick is the only one who can and I nor anybody else of the class has ever requested him to do so. It would also go against the class policy of openess or my personal preference to do so; even if the post can be considered to be nasty.



I think that the case is that you posted your message before the one of barths of the new forum. I think we had to instances where the new forums lost all of the posts and I know of at least one time where we couldn't restore the files from backup. I assume that your post was lost in that.



With respect to costs of a Stealth F16 :



I can't not speak for Stealthmarine but the data I have points at the following situation :



A Stealth F16 with "the works" (snuffersystem, T-foil rudders, tapered carbon mast and selftacking jib) shipped one per time in a crate costs about the same as a Tiger or F18HT when fitted with comparable gear (snuffer ?). I think the last two are gouped in containers with 7 boats or more. When Stealth can do the same thing the boat would come out cheaper than quoted now.



The formula 16 class will help and work together with any builder to organize a group shipment of boats, masts or even individual parts like spinnakers.



I have personally established good contacts with a international shipping company that also ships the Nacra F18 masts to the USA.



The F16 class has established good contacts with the several boat builders and sailmakers in all three continents : USA EU and Australia. The class organisation is also ready to organize group deals.



When you want the class will help you put a group deal together regarding Stealth F16 designs. A package of two boats would already save an attractive amount of money.



We will do the same thing for Taipan 4.9's or any other brand.



With respect to the price of a Stealth F16 I can only underline that in Europe a Hobie 16 costs 10.000 USD too. So for 900 USD more you have a boat which a good deal lighter, has all the new go fast stuff (snuffer, carbon mast) and will be the downright fastest 16 footer around and beat a good deal of the 18 footers and some of the 20 footers. And look better too.



I think that these are the prices that must be payed for boats these days. Even my own homebuild boat will set me back over USD 10.000 USD (inc shipping parts from autralia.



Wouter