Not that I'm an expert on Nacra's (even though I'm about to start sailing a converted one), but according to the Nacra website the racks on the Blast are an option on the racing version. With the racks installed, the Blast is 10'8" which it seems to me suggests that Blast could be sailed as an F16 without the racks.

Of course, the class could agree to let them in with them with the racks, but that's a different issue. And while I'm all for the F16 class being as inclusive as possible, I think altering width limits that much could come back to bite us.

And while on the subject of my boat, Skip Elliott of Elliott Pattison sails did a SUPER job making my old Cobra sail fit the F16 limits including putting an F16 logo on it. AND he did it for a price that was so low I felt guilty taking the sail. Skip said he wanted to do his part to help us get off the ground.

So if you're stateside and need a sail or a sail recut, give him a call. He's been making the Nacra sails since the start and is just a super guy.

Also one of the guys at his company got so interested in F16 idea he's talking about bringing his Freestyle 474 to the Huntington race.

John Metzig
USA 74