BIMARE announced that the first production Javelins 16 will be on sale in April 2003. The new boat will feauture wave piercing hulls and will be fitted with a slightly reinforced version of the 9,00 m RIBA carbon mast which fits the Javelin A and the same 12,50 sqm main of its bigger brother, as the latest version of the BIM 16.

The Javelin 16 will be offered only in the UNIRIG configuration. As optional the boat (with a conspicuos reduction of its price) will be offered with a 9,00 m aluminium mast. Besides it will come ex factory with a 17/17,5 sqm spinnaker and a new - BIMARE made - mid pole snuffer.

The price of the standard version (carbon mast, spinnaker and spinnaker kit - snuffer included) will be at least 30% lower of the price of most F18s in Europe (40% for the optional alumunium mast version), and competitive with the price of the other aluminium mast fitted F16s.

Therefore, according to my opinion, if the reason to ban the carbon mast from the F16 rule is PRICE concern, this cannot be retained anymore as a valid argument.

Don't forget the SAFETY advantage of a carbon mast over an aluminum mast