Bye the way AHPC may have made some compromises but i believe they have come up with something very cool. Its about time the f16 class association did the same.
AHPC is providing a nice platform, so do not take this a bash on them, but your comment above is a bit beyond BS.
The F16 class has a very defined set of parameters (agree with them or not) and a number of builders, profesional and amature worldwide. Trying to force class rules to match 1 manufacturer is assinine.
AHPC has elected to use F18 parts, foils beams etc. so he can maximize his use of dies and molds, cut his inventory, and handling and make a bit more money selling boats. In the end he has boats that are around 20+ Kg over the majority of the competition. This is their descision and people who choose to purchase their boats are well aware of this.
Put the right drivers on the boats and they can win races. Gregg and Jill spent quite a lot of money to prove that point last week at the GC. FHC and Falcon are building boats that within the rules can be made under min for right around the same selling price. If you choose to buy a heavy boat, do not blame the class rules for being non-competitive. If everyone decides they can not stand the added weight and stops purchasing Vipers, you better believe AHPC will put it on a diet and a Viper 2 will hit the market soon.
Someone will in all liklyhood build an all carbon boat down the road. Somebody somwhere will want one for the bling.
Carbon mast are legal, but with a min tip weight the advantage of a carbon mast is not that great. A proper sail mast combo is most important.
Carbon beams will not save any appreciable weight over tube aluminum. The only way you could save weight going to carbon beams is to get rid of the bolts and bond the boat together, but that is not allowed.
There are glass hulls now being produced at min weight. Going to carbon adds what? They would be a bit stiffer, but that is such a marginal improvement that I do not beleive there is any way anyone would feel they have to have carbon to be competitive. It is an envy thing only.
The F16 class was not created to be a baby F18. It is a semi-developmenal class of its own. A lot of people understand that and embrace that. If not there are pleanty of other classes and boats to sail.
