To go back to Ausstricker’s original question.
Quote
Gday everybody ill be looking at getting into F16 in a couple of years time using a taipan, whats the advantage of widening the platform 160mm (Taipan 2340mm & F16 2500mm)to make it widest possible as per F16 Reg.s

Advantages
- Increased righting momentum
- Increased boat speed
- More efficient acceleration
- Improved behaviour in boat handling.

Disadvantages
- Boat wider then legal tow width means you will need to either de-beam, trailer on the tilt or tow illegally.
- Boat moves away from the Taipan 4.9 class rules which boasts a fleet that is so much bigger than the F16 fleet in AUS. This removes you from potential competition in one of the hottest fleets in AUS and also devalues the 4.9 platform.
- All performance gains would not be noticeable unless you are racing a significant OD / Class fleet. In AUS, the F16 fleet is not large enough yet to warrant the investment to modify the 4.9.