I didn't advice the F16 for almost the same reasons as why I achieved against the A-class.

In those respects the two aren't that much different.

Of course it all dependent on the age of the kids, but below 14 years of age I think a F16 or A-class is alot to trust a kid or kids with. I believe young kids will just break stuff or be intimidated by the speed and power of both the A-class and F16. But you could have very mature and responsible kids and everything will work out fine, I don't know.

I wouldn't car top either unless I really had to. I can get my F16 alone on the trailer, but that is something else then getting a F16 on top of my car alone. Note that I do transport several of my landyachts on top of my car so I do have experience in this field. Even with those 4.7 mtr long masts (16 foot) I get pulled over by police and reprimanded. Lucky I mostly landyacht on sundays (mornings) and police are sparse then. Going twice the length on the mast would be a serious infringement in the opinion of the police, requiring to dismount the roof package and get it back home another + a decent fine.

With respect to data :

A-cat platform (part that goes on roof) about 50-55 kg = 110-121 lbs
F16 platform (part that goes on roof) about 65-70 kg = 143-155 lbs

Mast length A-class : 9.00-9.20 mtr = 29.5-30.2 ft
Mast length F16 : 8.5 mtr = 27.9 ft.

I'm my opinion a F12 would be seriously better option if that project hadn't blown up into several different directions. Even the laser dinghy or just a H16 or P16 with a trailer for 2000 bucks. P16 is about 130 kg in total with a platform weight of just under 100 kg. It can take more abuse then either A-class or F16's

But if you are going for catamaran the size and style of something like an A-class anyway then yes I think Keith has some good points about the F16. Certainly if you are looking at older A-cats as then there isn't much different to F16's at all in the department of weight for example

Wouter