1. How many professional sailors are there really? Why do we want to cater for professional sailors? Will professional sailors really come to the F16 if the weight is changed? I don't believe that many are even in the crew weight ballpark? I thought sailing was for everyone...not just the professionals.

2. The only "hype" that surrounds F16 is on the web. Web based hype should always be taken with a grain of salt, it is too easy for anyone with half a clue to publish, which in turn builds the hype. What you should be looking at is the printed media for a true indication of the level of hype there is around the boat...not much properly published articles are around yet.

3. It was asked of ratherbsailing very early on (first or second page)...my recollection is that it wasn't answered, although it may've been lost in all the personal attacks and OT responses. The reason for the lack of response is unclear, although I don't think ratherbsailing responded much to the topic through its troubled, short life...

I do agree though that the class management dropped the ball on that thread. Although when someone has an axe to grind, there's not a lot that can be done about it online, short of moderation or lawsuits...