Mary,

You are pulling my (private) comments out of context here. The fact that we have chosen to have a different class framework than other classes doesn't mean that we don't have a class association at all.


To all,

Also I would like to request that we stop rocking the boat here. This is a very important time for us with regard to both the USA and Europe. And we will really do alot better by not continiously spawning controversies and misunderstandings.

I'll elaborate :

We have had a list misleading statements by now :

Examples
-1- No F16 class in the USA (30 boats and growing; several regatta wins over the last years)
-2- Only Jennifer sails actively (together with several others like Chuck, Seth, Hollis, Eric, Paul, etc who all won races)
-3- F16 rules bans a hooter headsail (the rules don't even know what a Hooter is so how can it ban it)
-4- There is no class association (We just have 120 boats world wide with (past) inaugural events in 5 continents, etc)
-5- Mid girth rule is only pushed by Texel system (And ISAF and is featured in ALL catamaran class rules as well as monohulls, this includes Tornado, F18 but also kiddies class Hobie Dragoon and H16 Youths and even volvo ocean boats use this rule)

To name but 5 misconceptions we had to adress in the last 2 weeks alone.

Now, I can fully understand that somebody likes some additional explaining here and there, but can we please do this by private e-mail ? I don't want potential members to get the wrong idea's. That for example our class rules are still unfixed (They are and have been since 2002) That the US sailors don't have a say in things (they did, always had, and voted with 75 % majority for the class rules in 2002, while these included the mid girth rule.) That we don't have a class association (we do and we have organised pure F16 events in USA, EU, Aus, Asia and Africa). Things like that.

Also there is no point in rehashing all the choices and compromises that were discussed fully during 2001 and 2002, after which the rules were fixed by the general and verified class vote (60 voters) in november 2002. And they were accepted by 80 % of the vote. Even the Aus and USA voters (halve the voters at the time) accepted the current rules with 75 % or higher ratios.

What I'm trying to say here is that we simply can't just change the identifier "gennaker" into "spinnaker" , nor can we just take out the mid-girth rule or other things that a few individuals don't like. I'm sorry to have to say this but now is too late for that. Besides the situation leading to these compromises is still present and any new vote on these issues will most certainly lead to a new rejection by the same ratio's. Anybody favouring these chances must realize that they lost the vote on these issues way back in 2002 and now we all should just accept the outcome. Otherwise the builders will put the thumb screws on to prevent any change in this direction as they really don't want any major last minutes changes like this. And I can't blame them. We can't have a class without builders. They will go along with us for a long way but we can overstretch their willingness.

Now there is only one issues that need resolving left. Mast tip weights.

And for additional explanations on the class rules and structure I would like to request with urgency to direct these to me by private e-mail (Wouterhijink(at)hotmail.com)

Lets stop creating more misunderstandings than I can put right. We are really hampering the F16 class growth with it and I really don't think that that is anybodies intention.

Thank you


Wouter