This is not really the case, is it ?

The number of sails (add jib and spinnaker) and fittings (cleats for jib, spinnaker, snuffer, etc) are more for the F16. This additional hardware does add up in cost. Especially with the popular new line materials like D12 and Swiftcord. Cordage has never been this expensive. Also there is more volume enclosed in the F16 hulls as well more laminate, despite the fact that the hulls are shorter.

Now the 75 kg A-cat is very light, but so too is the 107 kg F16 when you realize that it must withstand the bridle loads of a tight single forestay (jib) and a crew of two with the sheets and control lines cranked on hard (squaretop main). I would venture to say that with respect to hulls there isn't that much difference in required skill and quality level between an A-cat and F16. That F16 is highly loaded up.

I broke 2 Taipan 4.9 mainsail halyard shackles in a row (2 weeks apart) and now I'm sailing with a Taipan 5.7 halyard shackle and that one is holding. The A-cat agent with a 30 history in A-cats was clearly surprised when I broke two of these so quickly after one another, and nothing else. Clearly the shackles weren't up to the F16 loads. This when they have proven to be sufficient for the standard Taipan. Imagine what this means for the loads on the hulls.

Still, I agree with you that the price difference between a 25.000 AUD modern A-cat and 24.000 AUD for a modern F16 with an alu mast is of concern.

But I think we need to wait a little longer till the Aussie Blade production has settled a little. The first boat build in a series (pilot) is always more expensive in cost. Afterall, AHPC's Capricorn F18 is 26.000 AUD. Meaning that the more high tech F16 is still 2000 AUD cheaper then that.

Just for comparison a standard sloop (no spi) Taipan 4.9 in Aus is currently priced at 20.650 Aud. If this is to be upgraded to the level of the Aussie Blade F16 then you have to add :

Kevlar hulls : 550
Carbon boards/stocks : 44 + 448 = 492
Spinnaker kit (+snuffer) : 2023
Conversion to selftacker : unknown but could well be zero as the hardware is about as expensive.

Therefor Taipan 4.9 + spi with comparable level of upgrades = 23715 AUD

This is very close to the (initial) 24.000 AUD quote for the Aussie Blade.


Wouter