4 dec 2001

Part of the e-mail Communication between Valerio Petrucci of the Bim yard and myself.

"Wouter,
a few years ago, we tried to start a BIM 16 class, but without too much
success.
Therefore is no use sending you its class rule. The first BIM 16 had a
main of 11 sqm, then 12,50 sqm, then 13,50 sqm before reaching the
actual level for the 2001 version. The same was for the gennaker.
Valerio"

Even Maurizio never claimed the Bim 16 design (!) to be older than 1991 (12 years = a few years ?)

It is common knowlegde that the concept of the Taipan was first floated in 1985 by Greg Goodall and Jim Boyer. And it was launched on Easter Sunday 1988, 15 years ago this weekend. If anybody pioneered this type of craft and made it succesful than it is AHPC.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt it is the F16 class which is also know under the name F16HP that succesfully set up a FORMULA class around these craft with more than one builder making compliant designs. We soon welcome the third (or forth if Bim still wants to play along) and that means TWO fully optimized designs and one very competative foundation design in the shape of Taipan 4.9 with spi.

The fact that there wasn't a single rating in both ISAF and Texel as well as PN and VYC (Eu, USA, AUS) under the name Formula 16 or F16 prior to our ratings (in contrast to say the F18HT's) is more than indicative of the fact that the "old F16 class" never existed. Which seems to be confirmed in writing by the comments of the person who of all people should be in the know.

Now, I have nothing but respect for the Bimare Yard and father and son Michelangelo - Valerio Petrucci and they have given me none other than dependable information.

My problem is with the well known proxy mouth pieces who seem to knowlingly spread information that is noticably in contradiction with the truth and comments from more dependable sources. And who can argue with with the source named at the beginning of this post ?

Now, I was under the impression that we had a defacto truce. Or shall I start quoting more e-mails and ask questions like why the much heralded Javelin wave peircer design is finishing where is does in the A-cat class itself where the Flyer wave peircer is found on places 1,2 and 3 ?

I was pretty content with the truce actually; I trust you were too.

We may all be living in glass houses but some of us are living class manors.

Wouter