Jennifer, Wouter, Steve, and class...

Steve came up with a very nice logo that we had been fiddling with a few months back. I like that way it looks, but there are some drawbacks--it is a bit complex and is non-reversible. This is probably a good time to bring the logo issue back up, as you've suggested. First off, logo is too general of a term; INSIGNIA is probably a better descriptor of what we're looking for.

First step is to address the purpose of having the insignia/logo--the most practical design can then follow.

I believe the purpose of the insignia is two-fold:

1. Provide an easily recognizable identifier for boats sailing in the class, whether on the water, on the beach, or in photos.
2. Act as a "certificate of conformity" to the F16 class rules and simultaneously act as a "membership card" to the international F16 catamaran class.

The simpler the design the better. The insignia obviously must contain the three characters "F16." (At this point, the "HP" is not necessary as most folks do not identify F16 with Hobie 16 or Prindle 16 but with higher tech designs. Heck, if they want to add a spin, let them sail with us!) For tradition and to connect with other catamaran classes insignias, two bars underscoring the three characters would be beneficial. I think everyone can agree on these two basic starting points. I think they are essential to communicating the size and type of boat. But now we get into the subjective aspects:

Should there be a mascot or character associated with it?

Should the letters be tilted to give the impression of speed?

Should a border be added to give definition to the insignia?

After closely observing sail insignias for the last several months (since this was last brought up), I believe the F16 class insignia should be as simple as possible. I say "no" to all the subjective issues. K-I-S-S. Let's leave the mascots, fancy fonts, slanty or stylized letters, etc. to the actual boat marques (e.g. the Taipan snake-like "T", cobras, mosquitos, zip-0s (whatever they are)).

I believe we should stick with a simple "F16" in upright, sans serif letters underscored with two parallel bars. That's it. It should be large (10x10"?) and may be applied to only one side of the sail since most of our sails are see-through and the insignia would easily be read/recognized in reverse (we can all read F16 backwards, right?).

Such an insignia would meet the 2 criteria and would offer nothing objectionable since it doesn't involve problems with foxes (see post archives on the subject), slanting/irreversibility (see Jennifer's concern above), stylization (I liked the cyclone "F" but not everyone sees the "F" in it), etc. It would get the job done, be easy to produce and apply, and offer a unifying graphic to represent the class.