How light would I go or how light would someone go to win a World Championship that is the question.... There is nothing under ISAF or our class that restricts someone who breaks a mast (Misses one race) and then requesting to use another mast.... It currently happens and will continue to happen. You cannot restrict someone to one mast per season or regatta...



My understanding is that F16 is not trying to be an open development class. It is a formula class. The F18 has been so successful and continued to grow as it has not segmented due to the restrictions it has. Yes we all agree there are changes to the F18 that could make it lot faster boat however that is not what it is about. Our rules are proposed to allow significant enough development with the mast being the only key aspect that in my opinion needs a restriction to ensure durability. Have you ever looked at the F18 rules in comparison to the F16 rules.



If you look at the figures the AHPC / Taipan mast is very light as an alloy mast. It’s tip weight is 7.5 kgs and the Stealth mast is 7.2kgs. Hence the current Taipan alloy mast is close to the current carbon techniques. If you look at Stealth’s website they claim they can build a carbon mast 40% lighter than alloy. Obviously that’s not the case in comparison with the Taipan mast, it is comparing it to a standard alloy mast, eg Hobie or Nacra. We are a performance boat already, why try and make it fragile....



From the above Stealth obviously beleive they have a good mast. I am sure I can get a comment from Scott Anderson over the weekend plus comment for the Aust. Carbon mast builder that AHPC uses. However we are not looking to be the best and the fastest forever. We want to build a strong class that enables development within a set of rules and promotes durability.



The biggest area of concern is that it is usually the top end of the fleet that have limited breakages and would more likely not break a fragile, lighter section. The less experienced sailor would beleive and want the best. Hence the first good capsize they would probably break the mast. That is not good for the class perception, insurance and making even competition.



I would be interested Stewart what you current involvement is and has been with Catamaran sailing and therefore why you believe you are in a position to comment and help steer the direction of the F16 class. Do you currently own a compliant F16 or do you intend on entering the class????? Have you every raced a catamaran at a worlds before???