This was a question posed to me in a recent email, and since I know there are alot of folks out there interested in the class but kinda wondering the same thing, I thought I'd post my response. Feel free to chime in if you have something to add...
"I'm a real boat lover, and there's alot to love with all these boats.
Where to find an F16? Well, you've got 4 options:
1. Buy a new F16 from one of the core designer/builders. Their web sites can all be found here:
http://www.geocities.com/f16hpclass/F16HP_boat_show.htmlAll of the manufacturers produce extremely high quality products that surpass, in my experience, anything available from the "mass" producers. Before I purchased my boat I made numerous phone calls directly to the boat designers and builders, who were all very willing and helpful to speak with. Since getting my boat I have pestered the designer/builder multiple times for tips, etc and they have always been very supportive and responsive. I have a Taipan. I have heard similar things about the designers/builders of the Stealth, Spitfire, and Blade.
2. Buy one of the above on the used market--none available right now in the US because of high demand and low supply; when one changes hands it is rarely on the market long and often is never advertised but sells via word of mouth. So this isn't a great option unless you get lucky.
3. Get an easy to find boat for cheap and convert it, eg Nacra 5.0 (slightly too long but would be accepted into the class on the basis of its length not giving unfair advantage), Hobie 16, Prindle 16, etc. You'd be at a competetive disadvantage with this approach, but it would be a quick way to get out on the water and would help build F16 fleets quickly. In reality, the best sailors would still probably win--a hot Hobie 16 skipper with a big rig plus spinnaker (per F16 rules) would surely beat me on my Taipan, even though I have the "better" boat. Heck, I always thought my Nacra 5.0 would be a real blast with a fat top main and a spinnaker.
4. Build your own--try out your naval architect skills or get the readily available Taipan or Blade plans. Tortured marine ply Taipans have a reputation for being extremely light, stiff and competitive boats! All rigging, crossbeams, etc are easy to get from various sources.
If you've seen A-cats you have an idea about the technology and light weight nature of this class of cats. But they are distinctly more robust and have spinnakers. I've personally sailed two of the core F16s (Taipan and Stealth), so I could give you some feedback on the different nature of each boat.
Call me anytime and we'll go sailing! I've never had as much fun as sailing a cat with a spinnaker. There is also a Taipan F16 in San Jose--nice guy and I'm sure he'd show you his boat. He and I will both be at the Camellia Cup regatta at Folsom Lake the first weekend in April.
The F16s offer amazing technology and speed for a very reasonable price. In fact, when I was boat shopping I discovered that the F16s, although significantly lighter, more high tech, more versatile, and arguably higher quality, were less expensive than the Hobie Fx-1 or Inter 17R (both also cool boats, though).
Here's my phone #s--call me anytime if you would like get more details or try my Taipan. ** Warning--you'll want one :-) **
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Hope this info helps."
