Hi Wouter and all,
I have recently bought a 2004 Javelin 16. The German dealer told me that the X16 rig would be the same as on the Javelin 16, but the hulls are similar to the new A-Cats, slightly higher and 5kg heavier.
My impression is that Bimare tries to use same toolings and parts from their A-Cats to reduce costing. For example the mast comes from the some mould and sheets and other parts are the same. As long as Bimare gives this cost benefit to us, it is a fair deal (the Javelin 16 was sold very cheap).
There is not really any good reason to not make the carbon masts 0.5 mtr shorter
In oppostion to alumium masts, carbon masts have varying skin thickness and local reinforcments for Diamond wires and other fittings, so you can't unffortunately cut half a meter.
At least in Germany the boat is sold as "fun" boat, without mentioning classes, so apparently Bimare doesn't try to make a 16 feet class. And the owners think similar (handicap instead of formula, if they like to race at all). So way should they buy a boat with 5% shorter mast and some kg more?
In the UK we currently have 138 different Dinghies and Multihulls, not including the FX Extreme and Bim X16. Is this really necessary and good for the people involved in the sport and does it put off perspective enthusiasts!!!
Competion is good for the consumers. And if there is competion between classes, it is good too. If not, we still would think that fast cats cannot be lighter than 180kg and CFRP masts are prohibitive for normal people.
But to be honest I don't see much competion between F16 and the X16 and the boats are more different as it seems on a first look.
Cheers,
Klaus
