Wouter,


>>I'm under the impression that most people push off with their front leg?

That can be the case. I not sure if I actually push out with my front or rear leg or just swing it over the side sooner. I do push off with the fore hand that is for sure. I tuck one of my legs under me so my toes touch the side of the boat then I roll back out over this leg using my fore hand to stabilize myself and my rearhand to take the controls with me. I guess I then put my other leg against the side and compete push out with that while flipping my first leg from shin to hull towards sole to hull. I never use the trapeze handle, useless thing. Well only on long long upwind beats where I have nothing to do and rest me hand on it much like most rest their hand on the gear shift stick in the car on long straight legs.

But then again I'm talking cats and your are talking mono's. I do it completely different on a 49-er but these also have a different trap setup. Their you lower yourself from a near vertical to a horizontal position. That is a whole different approach.

I'm sorry but I think I will have to be there to really help you.


>>That's a very interesting idea; I hadn't thought of pushing off with my rear leg due to the tendency to swing forward.

That is why I use my free front hand.

>>I'm assuming that you are not using the trap handle at all when when you push off (neither did I)? Does this approach work well for pushing out both beating and reaching?

I do it the same on all courses. Main point is to get out quickly without upsetting the boat to much.


>>Would it work as well to just cleat and then fall off as you push out

That is what I do when conditions call for that. It is what you have to do on a 49-er (but without the cleat).

You know I think I can tell you quite a bit about how it is done on a 49-er and other boats but it is to much type work to write it all down. Mono's must also be steered differently from cats. I would like to propose that we discuss this interactively by phone if that is okay with you. I can explain alot more in a 30 min call than 30 days of writing. Would this be acceptable to you ?


>>(or is it necessary to first undersheet and then head up)?

No, no undersheeting.

>> It will be interesting to see if it works as well on a monohull with a less powered rig.

Trapezing is trapezing. If there is not enough to trapeze out than don't do it. It is a simple as that.


>>And I bet if you do it in gusty weather with an unbalanced helm it would really be lots of fun!

You don't know that halve of it. One time we capsized 30 times in 90 minutes sailing. At the end of the summer I could do 100 push ups straight. Sailing (and recovering from a capsize) a 49-er can be a great bodybuilding excersize.

>>>Finally, in your last post you aslo mentioned that it would be nice if there was a US manufacturer for an F16 class boat. I have to agree! It's an attractive class and that would make it much easier for me and others to go the F16 route. Anything on the horizon for a US built F16 boat?


Well, the important preconditions are in place. We have two designs that are available for license building, we have two design teams (of which one is world famous) that have indicated to be willing to design a completely new brand unique F16 and we have a deals on important parts like the mast sections. Both Stealth (carbon) and AHPC (superwing aluminium) have agreed to supply other F16 builders with their mast or gear at very attractive prices when requested.

I also think that there is a market for it in the USA. A market that doesn't underdo for say the hobie Tiger market.


>>>Aslo, one of the compelling things about how you've formulated the F16 class (besides the versatility) is how in different configurations it can be raced against other classes on a non-handicapped basis (ie, F18 and A Class). Why were Inter-17 and FX-one not included?


This is also largely because I wanted a platform like that for myself. It is turning out to be the best selling point in the inventory. It appears that the founders were not alone in this wish. With respect to the I-17 and FX-one, they are included as far as I'm concerned. The grandfather rule allows these designs to be included in the F16 format. This may be a bit tricky when we have our Global Challenge in the future as for example the I-17 will not allow us in at their nationals etc but otherwise ;"come along show what you've got and have fun". Personally I think it would be great fun to have a "one-up nationals" where all A-cats, F16, FX-one, Inter-17, Hobie 17 and nacra 5.5 unis compete for the title best singlehanded sailor. We hav such an event here in NL and it does attract all makes. Wouldn;t that be something ?

>>Thanks again for the great advice,

You're welcome

Ohh check your mailbox on this site for some extra info. (phone number etc)

Welcome