I just got a chance to catch up on the F16 forum. Fist thank you for your congratulations, Wouter and Ed. Thanks also to Wouter for some of the tips re the F16 on this forum.

The Statue of Liberty event is special. I’ve been wanting to sail it since it’s inception back in the 80s, but always have family event on the Independence Day weekend. So, with the 4th being on a Wednesday, I finally got to go—and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The venue is the most impressive I’ve seen and the Sandy Hook Bay Catamaran Club is very unique with its huge beach and over 150 catamarans with masts up. The sailors there, ranging from teenagers to old guys like me, were very hospitable. Thanks to “Stiletto George” for sharing local knowledge—the currents there are a major factor.

I must say that the Blade performed very well in the choppy water of Sandy Hook Bay, although I’m not yet comfortable enough with it to helm from the trap down wind—that may have made the difference in being fast enough to place 1st. Regardless, I really enjoyed the sail. It was a very challenging beat across the bay (in 12-18 kts.), thru the narrows (in 3-5 kts. against a fierce current), and up the river (in 3-15 kts.). I even got stopped by the harbor police, who made me wait until a Tug pushing a barge could pass in front. And, the Statue of Liberty was an awesome sight, up-close from the water. As usual for me, I did have a near disaster. As I rounded the Statue just behind the H17, I was anxious to get my spin up—I knew I needed to make up some time on the 17. Unfortunately, I was on port tack and the Alter Cup boats were set up for 2-person buoy racing, with the spin hoist cleat mounted on the starboard side, about two feet up the mast. I couldn’t gybe because the Statue was close on my starboard side. I left the helm and went to the leeward side to hoist. I got the sail part-way up when I noticed the sheets were wrapped around the snuffer hoop. So, I snuffed it back and proceeded to clear the mess. Picture a 200 lb. guy perched on the wave piercing bow of a 240 lb. boat with no one on the helm, sailing through chop! Very scary! Somehow, I managed to get it done and keep the pointy end up. From there it was an incredibly fast ride out of the harbor and back to the finish. I’m not sure it would have helped me to be on the wire. I left a few 20s behind and seemed to be hanging with the 20s ahead. This is an incredibly FUN boat!!

As a footnote, I’d like to say that I really expect that this F16 thing should grow. Although I’ve sailed many miles on 20’ cats and believe the Nacra Iner 20 to be the best for distance racing, I think this boat has a real niche in our sailing community. For me, I like that I can put a jib on it and take little ones for crew or just sail it solo—and I love spinnaker sailing. I don’t think I’ll be racing it in the ocean, but it’s great for inland waters. I also like that it is light enough for me to handle alone.
Enjoy the rest of the sailing season—I know I will!
John