Simone,

>> 4 17's - we also have the shadow and FX1

Thanks for the info. I rest my case. Well with the exception of getting a few of these several tens of "double moded" boats of ours out to some events in the UK.

About the larger kite.

I completely agree with your statements.

Call me a whimp but I'll stay with 17.5 sq. mtr. That is more than enough for me.

> a lighter boat would be nice

That two, now increase the mainsail area as well add a selftacking jib plus some lightweight carbon parts for halve the price of the heavier alternatives, keep the width and you'll end up with an F16 that is 200 mm or 8 inches to long in the hulls.

I fully understand that I'm baised to the F16 but what is honestly the point of the F17 ? In all fairness it can only aspire to be just as fast and no more as the F16 is already pretyy much at the max of everything. Those 8 inches extra hull length won't do much, believe me.

Besides the F16 rules fully allow the I-17, FX-one and Shadow to race with us using the grandfather rule.

Afterall the F16 class was partly created to consolidate the singlehanded-doublehander segment of cat sailing as the large number of slightly different boat fragmented this segment into oblivion.

Our arms are open and we are happy to welcome you. Stronger still, we challenge to come and race with us and show us the potential of your (in general, not you personally Simon) sailing skills (1st and most important) and boat (secondairy and relatively minor in the big picture)

Wouter