The last quote I have of the I-17R (US version with carbon mast) for a European customer was 17.800 Euro I believe. That guys bought a Stealth eventually.

I'm sure the alu masted I-17 is alot cheaper, but I have no firm quotes yet. The thread you provide suggest that the NEW I-17 (how many versions now ?) is over 3000 USD cheaper then any F16 in USA.

Others appear to say this I-17 costs 12.000 USD. I want to know whether that is fully rigged with spi and selftacking jib kit.

Also I'm not to sure whether the VWM Blades are running at 15.000+ USD. Alot of interested parties remember the Alter Cup boat pricing but these were full kevlar boats with carbon daggerboards and rudders and a suit of Glaser sails. Does that 12.000 USD I-17 come with anything like that ? Those Alter Cup boats were specials.

I'm personally not to worried. 12.000 USD is a good price for a boat like the I-17, but I want to see them hold that price beyond the initial promo launch.

From a promo point of view the answer to this new alternative to the F16 is simple. This I-17 has a infusion (F18) mast with a F18 size mainsails. Basically it is a F18 rig on a 17 foot platform. Try singlehanding that !

Or

If you think raising the F16 alu mast at 14 kg (bare sectio) is hard work then try the F17 infusion mast (bare 18 kg = +30%).

We can even start calling it a F18 with a foot of bow chopped off and 25 kg less weight (it is still 150-155 kg fully rigged).


Good luck !

Wouter