-1- webpage, this has admittedly been aging a little bit. I found it to be a demanding task in addition to the other things I do for the class. Luckily Mark Woudenberg (New Dutch F16 sailor) has volunteerd to help me out in the content area. He will compose an info page dealing with where and how to get parts like carbon beams-mast, sails, cleats etc all over the world. This is expected to become the shopping jump station for F16 related sailor and for F16 related issues.
I'm personally intending to do a major overhaul of the webpage as soon as I can arrange for a prolonged period of free time. I expect this to come when the local branches organise themselfs and deal with local issues themselfs or when some task that I'm doing now are taken care off by others. At that time I only have to work on the international issues and general issues like promotion with involved the webpage.
-2- Agents, In relation to the US I can now express that a change of US importer of AHPC products is expected. However AHPC is open to all questions and orders coming in directly from the USA. Sometimes it dependents on where the US sailor is on what the best approach will be. Western USA, where Eric Poulsen and Mark Talla are are better serviced by direct contact between buyer and builder. Sailors in Eastern USA are advised to make contact with :
East coast sports (Maryland area; contact info on
http://www.sailfastusa.com/)The cat house (Michigan area; contact info on
http://www.cathouse1.com/)Or
Sun Jammers (Florida area; contact ino on
http://www.sunjammers.com/)The formula 16 class is maintaining good relationships with both builders and part suppliers and when a F16 sailor feels that he prefers to make use of this class network or requires help using a parallel channel to a dealor network than an e-mail to
Formula16class@hotmail.com will do the task.
Several sailors have made use of the class network when dealor networks were found to operate inadequately. This network will continue operating in the future as a permanent alternative and to service enthousiasts in area that are not covered by dealor networks.
Designs in our port folio are :
Stealth F16 (Stealth R, Standard Stealth)
Taipan 4.9 (Taipan F16 upgrades)
Mosquito (and F16 upgrades)
Spitfire
Blade F16
and
Bimare Javelin 16 (not the best of relationships but we're still including them)
2. >>>Get out and sail . . . be seen. People WILL ask questions about the boats they aren't used to seeing, providing the owners are approachable. Answer questions with humble enthusiasm. Take people for rides when possible (assuming they're interested).
A good idea that has taken hold in the USA and Australia as well as South Africa. for example Michael and Mark have done their bit and Eric Poulsen is the direct result.
Europe will be the next target. I'm currently meeting with the F16 sailors in Holland to cement the group and build up a basis from which to build the class. I've sail with Geert on his taipan spi and I will sail on Sandra's Bim 16 and Marks F16 soon. A option to try out an F16 is under construction right now and will be used to offer test rides to interested sailors. I personally think this issue is for the local sailors and local class organisation. I'm doing it myself for the Netherlands and hope to see others continue doing it or start doing it in their area's. A good idea.
>>>3. If we can manage to assemble a critical mass of boats at a few regattas a year (doesn't have to be called Nationals), it would help. Looks like the best place for this to happen is the Southeast. The rest of us are pretty spread out.
I think this is an issue for the locals; some US sailors needs to work out a schedule that is attractive to all. As the local class head for the Netherlands I have done so for my area. With respect to nationals and worlds. We are currently working out a proposal to call these challenges. This name will be more appropriet as we're looking to include designs like Spitfires and so. It will also avoid conflicts with the ISAF organisation over using names like "worlds". Rumour has it that they are pretty hung up on this things. Therefor we are working at having a Formula 16 global challenge in early 2005; The challenge is to beat all other Formula 16's and grandfathered boats on elpased time. This may include a series of point scored bouy races as well as 1 or 2 distance races and maybe a speed trail series.
In short the challenge is a overall class with 3 individual components designed around having fun while doing some competitive sailing on the water.
>>> Additional suggestions are welcome . . .
For the Netherlands and maybe France and UK were are looking to have a single stand of Formula 16 boats. At this point we are looking at three brands joining their efforts to have a single stand at Hiswa boatshow. All three will be promoted equally.
This approach saves costs and will strenghen each individual promotion as well by showing the class involvement.
A similar style project can be started elsewhere. Any takers.
More to come later, I have to attend to something right now...
Wouter
