The Spits were always none-compliant in the strickt sense but I (as the class chairman in the first years) always invited them and envisioned the two classes joining forces. The grandfather rule was specifically written to allow the Spits and other makes that were very similar to compete in F16 events. The reason for this rule was to consilidate the cat scene into a F16 class in this area of boat specs and use.

I felt it was not wise to ask these sailors to just sell their boats and buy an F16 especially when their current boats were so similar in performance anyway. I felt it was much more important to have more boats on the line and provide sailing enjoyment for all. I personally do not think that there was enough difference between the boats to make the racing unfair; and that is eventually the only real consideration in a formula class. In time the two classes could have migrated to a single uniform class.

A similar thing happened with the pre-F16 Stealths. I think all of these were eventually modified into fully compliant boats and retained much of their resale value. I felt it was wise to not try to beat (and kill) the other class but to coopt them and provide for a smooth transitional path that saved the personal investments of the owners.

I still believe this is the most wise course to take.

The new leadership in the F16 class has different idea's in this respect and that is when the Spits were "disinvited". I still feel that is a pitty as the process of courting over many years was starting to bear fruit so to say.

Other then that I feel we must be realistic with ourselves. Guaranteeing over 10 participating F16-boats at the NSR with a 30 days notice is a tall order. The Dutch F16 class has been a bit disfunctional lately. I personally hadn't planned to take my own boat out of winter storage till june/july due to work obligations.

Wouter