Gary,

Please reread the F16 rules more carefully. The situations that you describe are not possible under the current ruleset; meaning these "tricks" would create a non-compliant boat already. You are in error of several rules. Example : The mast weight limit is NOT a limit on overall mast weight but rather on the position of the centre of mass.

Can't outlaw carbon mast as 30 boats are already sailing with them. Also we took a really careful look at carbon masts at the start of the class and decided (by vote) that carbon mast should be allowed. We incorporated the mast tip weight rule (Notice TIP weigth) to make sure that the carbon mast wouldn't upset the class. I think the balance is still working very well.


>>This would hopefully keep costs under control

At the moment the drive within the class is to more in-expensive boats. Stealth has made the transition already by pricing their boats very attractively. Blade is following suit and Taipan has been caught out although they are currently looking at making production more cost effective.

In short; at this time their is no need to safeguard against rising prices as the trend between builders is securely directed downwards at this time. There is however one proposal regarding an extra rule about the design of beams. More about this one later.


>>Something else I am interested to know regarding the F16 rules if I put a larger rig and wings on my Mosquito and it all fitted within the F16 rule would I be able to race as a optimised F16.


Any compliant F16 (even the current mossie) can race against fully optimized F16's ; their is no rule or intend the ban them. The disadvantage of a non fully optimized boat is solely to the crew sailing this craft, why would the class limit the entry of such a crew ? There is no point for the class to do that, we much rather have such crews out sailing with us.


>>I have sold Twice Bitten and am currently looking at getting a new boat made out of the same mould as Tim's boat, I sailed Tim's at a recent reggatta and it was faster than Twice Bitten and more bouyant, possibly able to cope with full F16 weight, so think it may be worth having two rigs and take on the Taipans and others with F16 rig.

By all means. Sounds exciting ! Just measure in with respect to the F16 rules and you're in. Please read the F16 rules carefully they are pretty straight forward but in some case a few words are key to fully understanding what is allowed and what not. I refer again to the F16 rule on "mast TIP weight" over a (non existant) rule about "mast weight". Be sure to read the definitions at the end of the integral rule set as well.

Regards,

Wouter