I was perplexed when Performance Catamarans announced the "F17". I don't want to get too far off topic but their chances of igniting a formula class as a manufacturer is very slim. Who else is going to build one to a class started by a competing boat manufacturer? Where are the rules? How about now, considering that the manufacturer has had a considerable head start! Have they consulted other builders regarding building competing boats or did they just throw this out there hoping it would catch on? {edit:} or did they just slap "F17" on it in order to justify a bunch of changes?

For comparison, F18 was started by sailors. Slightly narrowing the 'formula' definition to include 'box rule' classes and you will also see that the only other two healthy 'box rule' classes, the Tornado and A-class boats, were strongly sailor initiated.

http://www.f18-international.org/history.htm