In looking at the potential for the F18 class to be (nearly)all things for (nearly)everyone I have remembered that there has been a box rule 18' catamaran class for a long time. I deregarded it because of the 11' or more beam. I have had a collection of experiences that have made me realize that at least 19' and 20' boats need more beam. I think we may find an ultimate solution that allows use of 2 or more sets of main and rear beams. Since learning that there are other 18 squares besides the Nacra 5.5 attached to 11' beams, it occurs to me that the 18 squares have already done a lot in hull performance and light weight. My searches have turned up just a small amount of anecdotal information. I have learned from Kirt Simmons that the 2 classes shown on the Portsmouth tables are for less than 300# and more than 300#.
My questions are: What are the box rules for the 2 classes? Are they strictly single handers? Are there any tortured ply builders? Where and when were they popular, and what did the sailors of 18 squares go to if anything? Are they still raced somewhere? If there is any kind of website, I couldn't find it.
Following is the description for the attached picture:

Here is a picture of Wild Turkey, she was built by a builder named Brad Johanson. The wing was built by a guy named
Terry Richards. The previous owner spent $140,000 on the project. The boat weighs 264 lbs. The wing weighs 110 lbs. and
the rest of the boat weighs 154 lbs. The hulls are constructed of 3/32 acumy plywood, 3/32 mahogany, carbon fiber and epoxy.
The hulls weigh 52 pounds each, they take far less load from the mainsheet system on a ridged wing because you don't have to
flatten the rig by honking on the mainsheet. The mainsheet is only a 3:1 purchase and a certain amount of the wings area is in
front of the bearing on the main beam.
The wing is composed of 3/32 acumy ply below the $2600 titanium platter bearing and 1/16 acumy above the bearing. The
"D" section is covered in carbon epoxy and Imron. The aft portion of the wings front panel is covered in 1 mil aircraft
monocoat. The aft panel is covored in 3 oz. dacron. There is a sophisticated system of cams and rollers at the bottom of the
wing which articulates the panels so that in light winds the panels can be positioned to create a slot between them the entire
length of the 28' wing. This ventury will overpower the boat in as little as 4 knots true with the sailor on the wire. That is really
saying something when you consider that the boat is 11'6" wide. It is the fastest 1 man course racing cat your ever likely to
see .
The rudders are all carbon including the posts and weigh 1.4 lbs. each. They are through hull mounted yet can be kicked up
because an entire section of the hull swivels up. You would never sail this thing up on the beach, you would instead pick it up
and set it on pads. It is a one man boat but it requires a support crew of 2 or 3 to set up and run. I'm bringing it here next
weekend to complete the trailer restoration.