Wouter
<br>
<br>I will look beyond the F16 drum beating like you asked. Well after this question. What happens when you increase the crew weight to 160 kgs on your beloved 16 foot boat? Compare this to the 20footers.
<br>
<br>You are coorect that the F16 is exciting and fast -- for a certain type/size of crew. In its niche the F16 should kick butt! However, a 16 footer will never beat a F20 head to head no time correction. WHY?
<br>
<br>Leave the classes to body types, sailing styles and desires.
<br>
<br>F16 has a niche -- find it and stay there
<br>F18 has a niche -- find it and stay there
<br>NAF 20 has its place and we are going to exploit it.
<br>
<br>It would be better if the Formula classes got together and worked under one sanctioning body here in the US. So that we could market under a "open arms all welcome" package rather than fight for the same masses like the manufacturers have been doing. The formula classes must draw well defined lines and agree to work in their own defined areas.
<br>
<br>Basically, this:
<br>
<br>F16 is for the under 305 lbs crowd (husband and wife)
<br>F18 is for the 305-350 crowd (husband and wife)
<br>NA F20 is for the correctible to 350 and over crowd -- who is basically alittle nuts and are hooked on adrenaline.
<br>
<br>NA F20 raises the bar to a pont where other sailors can compete from other types of sailing. Is designed to be exciting, harder to control, and takes a qualified sailor to push it. It is part formula, part developmental, part cheap, and part expensive.
<br>
<br>Wouter, have you ever sailed in the US? It is a whole lot different over here than in Europe.
<br>
<br>Steve<br><br>