Make the F18HT Look better? I don’t even plan to buy one, but it does look like a fabulous boat. And I wasn’t making a public statement, I was making a personal statement/view, and not saying I am right or wrong. As for a negative statement? I said ''Formula 16 HT never really made any sense to me because I felt why not go with a little more length with an 18' cat,'' this is a negative statement, I am bashing it? Sorry you feel that way about it, and yes I have not sailed a F16HT nor do I plan to, still nothing against them. Hay didn't I also make a statement about the F18 group as follows: The ''F18 is great but why not go for lightweight instead of more weight.''

My statement about other boats, I meant the Isotope, the Dart 16, the Hobie 16, etc., etc. So are you going to rip on these classes and tell me how much better the F16HT is. The designs I indicated offer a lot to, in other areas you have not even mentioned. As for which aspect is unimportant to me, well I could careless about a spinnaker even though I use one on my cat (I actually have two different types) and class legal is not that important to me in many instances sense most of what I do is recreational sail. What does matter to me is durability, ease of set up, no centerboards, racing opportunities on any continent, accommodates my friends with disabilities, etc., etc. Clearly, the F16 class does not meet every aspect and is not the perfect boat for everyone, as it is sometimes presented.

As for the weight issue you are really reading into what I wrote. Actually, the importer indicated 315 lbs to 345 lbs for the J2. I am not saying the F18HT can handle 275 lbs just saying that this is what my wife and I race at. I do accept that different boats are better for different things and people, and believe there are a lot of 16 ft. designs out there that offer a lot that the F16HT does not offer. There are a lot of designs to choose from that is for sure.

Thanks for the interesting discussion!