It is my view that the F104 class will have trouble growing and sustaining herself with the current very simple rule-structure of adhering to a 104 handicap number.

The F16 class didn't start out much different from that but we quickly encountered the need to converge to a more tightly controlled class in order to grow and be garanteed survival.

Basically, at this time the F104 class has less and less stringent rules then even the A-cat class and I see that as a problem.

Personally I applaud the F104 creation from the viewpoint that it is a good action to reverse the fragmentation of the catamaran sailing scene while not hurting some owner investments by declaring a given class as unviable. But I don't see it as much of a competition (c.q. challenge) to the F16 class, the A-cat class or the F18 class as these are much more organised (internationally) and much more tightly controlled then the F104.

Wouter