Great class concept , thanks to all involved for getting the F-14 going.

Many sailors will be much more likely now to get an older 14 ft size range cat out or purchase an inexpensive one knowing they can modify it , add a headsail ,and have a fun class to race in .A number have 14 ' production type cats already .

I,m interested in cat design and being able to experiment a little and to be able to bring {the lattest creation} out for comparative speed testing in a class.

Thinking about the 15 -its a non board type , with 26 ft mast . It would require taking 2 ft off the mast and recutting the main down to a sq top type. Then-shortening up the hulls to 14.3 L canting them and first experimenting by adding some forward angled molded in foils in the mid forward area with larger rudders aft. then add a longer spin pole. The CE -CLR relationship {helm feel}} balanced by the added forward foils ,--the concept being lift from the foils and added lift from the spin now having more luff angle ,-its a heavy boat though -305 Lb.

Some lightweight hulls at 14,3 being more ideal, maybe just building some ,-but then wanting to experiment with hull shape .

The other aspect I,d like to experiment with is the rig ,-
It would require wide beam with the 2 mast concept ,-like the 60 cat , but some variations with a center balanced sail to experiment with ,--better effeciency and lift being the idea , along with a mast head spin and foil concept .
http://www.parlier.org/site02/accueil/1024x768.html

Building an HT type lightweight 14 would be fun in itself , the 107 Lb cat by Bernie sounds extremely fast .

I have 3 younger boys and the 14s may be ideal to get them going ,---if I had one also we would have our own fleet
{4 min}

Think whichever type 14 project , the F-14 class can include all types and add future sub categories as it grows in number .It may be needed sooner than latter.

For those going to the Spring Fever regatta
http://www.TwinHulls.com/springfever
Just for clearity ,are all 14s going to sail as Formula 14s or is there sub categories of production Mystere 4,3s.
It might be fun to bring a sketch pad and rough draft some interesting F-14 concept sailing craft .


Would be interested to read about other F-14 projects or design concepts as well.
Carl