Actually, making the Taipan wider by 160 mm makes a much larger difference optically. Throw in the selftacker and that Taipan F16 trampoline feel alot more roomy than that of the Taipan 4.9. That was the conclusion of the Dutch Coast Challenge of 2004 when both boats layed side by side.

I can't really explain why but the difference is very noticeably or at least I though so. Additionally I hadn't expected that so maybe my feelings were amplified by the surprise of the change.

Wouter