Bimare has been aware of the F16 ever since the inception of the F16 class in 2001. Actually the F16 ball started rolling in may 2001 when a post was made on the main forum suggesting level racing between the Bim 16 (predecessor to the Javelin-16 and now X-16) and the Taipan 4.9's. This was based on the realisation that both boats were very similar in specs and indeed ratings. About 3 months later the (orginal) Stealth was added. For a while we tried to get all three boats into a level racing class that was called the F16HT class. That didn't work as Bim was only willing to accept a setup that followed their Bim 16 completely, down to the details. Of course that was never going to be acceptable to the Taipan and Stealth people. Afterall, it is always a little bit of give and take. So the Bimare yard got out and the F16HT class because F16HP class at that time, which was renamed a fewe months later to F16 class. It is interesting to note that only people associated to the Bimare yard still use the name F16HP class in their postings. For all others it is now just F16.

Anyway, about a year and halve after the start-up of the F16 class, bimare came out with their Javelin-16 and made some promo for it on this forum, coupled with the intend to show the F16 class how successful this class would be in the USA and other regions of the world. We had several unknown (anonymous) US sailors commenting on how they would buy the Javelin-16 boat instead of a F16, right here on the F16 forum. Mind you, this was the time when the US F18HT (now 18HT) class was still regarded as a succes story. That ended in april 2003, if I remember correctly, with the Worrell fiasco and the final nail in the coffin was struck by the first Tybee 500 distance race that replaced the Worrell. The US 18HT class desintegrated rapidly after that and its main supporter and importer threw in the towel not much later. Not a single Javelin-16 was shipped to the US.

The Javelin-16 design slumbered a bit ever since then and I still am not aware of a single boat sale. I'm sure a handful were sold but it has failed to make an impression internationally as it has not shown up in any race-results of importance like Carnac, Texel and other large regatta's I keep an eye on.

A few months ago. We see talk of a new Bimarea 16 footer on the French language page dedicated to the F104 class creation. I think it was catfan again who commented on the F16 class in his postings there together with the message that the new Bim 16 footer would also not be a F104.

So basically, "F16" does pop up in communication made by Bimare associated people from time to time and as such I think they are well aware of the F16 class. They certainly have been in the past as I have communicated directly with Valerio Petrucci myself about the F16 class. He is the son of the owner of the Bimare Yard.

Additionally, F16 is now much more well known around the world then back in 2001 and 2002. You would have be sticking your head very deep into the sand to miss it anno 2007 and 2008. I mean Alter Cup 2007 on Blade F16's, hobie corp refering to F16's in the FX-extreme launching communique, F16 Worlds having been held in 2007 and last but not least the fact that VWM produces the Blade F16 AND Bimare products under license ! Bimare, decided to have VWM build their products in USA after they had seen VWM succesfully launch their very first small boat into the US market: The Blade F16 !

I think there is not a single possibility were the Bimare Yard is NOT aware of the F16's, that is just plain impossible considering the above history.

Wouter