I have been registered on catsailor.com for 6 years since October 01. The 2 forums I regularly check are the Open Forum and the F16 Forum. I was involved with Wouter’s "David & Goliath F16 Series" in the very early days.

I have to disagree with Mark's statement:
"I'm also sorry Wouter, but like the tail wagging the dog this public forum can never dictate to the F16 Governing Council. Yes it is a very good tool for the F16 Class when used correctly but don't kid yourself too much I wouldn't have thought that many people have bought an F16 on the back of it.".

I believe that the growth and credibility of the F16 Class is almost entirely due to this forum. Maybe every so often things get hot and people say more that they should (and Wouter gets over protective and has to let go), but this forum is the heart of the F16 class. I am very happy to race a Spitfire, which was once welcomed and "Grandfathered", but is now a rival. It does not stop me from believing that the F16 concept is going to succeed.
The relatively small numbers of F16 sailors may be out there doing it, but if the rest of us were not seen to accept that the class was viable, by our constant reference to F16 when we mention existing cat classes, then I do not believe that numbers would be growing as they have. I really believe that this forum (with Wouter and the original group) is what made it all happen.
Continue the good work, back off on the public arguing and the class will grow.