As a new class which the F16 is it needs to start somewhere and that somewhere are the Taipan 4.9, Stealth R and Bim 16. The Stealth has gone F16 already, Taipan 4.9 class is voting on some modifications and I when I look at all of bimares boat I see they have been all redesigned except the Bim 16 as of yet. We just to see what they do to the Bim 16 design but you don't have to be a great visionary to guess a few possible outcomes.



Are all these grandfathered boats obsolete in a years time? I think not. These boats still rate within 1 % or so from the F16's and this difference can only be shown by a very capable crew. Most fleets finish in a time span of 20 % of the race time. So my cold judgement is that a crew can onky complain when they regulary finish in the top 3 and was sailing with new sails. The rest need to work on their sailing skills first. I very much doubt wether the pas top3 finishing places would change significantly due to this offset in generalized CALCULATED Performance. I also expect the grandfather boats to be faster in some conditions.



Anyways, this Stealth R must be regarded as it is. A good fast boat capable of having a good brawl with the F16's for a price which is to good to pass on. I mean USD 7500,- for a fully fitted spinakker fitted modern ligthweight design. Compare this to a new H16 price ? Would this be attractive enough to take that 1 % or so offset in performance ?



I can assure you that the offset to the H16 is much mush greater. So as a open class boat you wouldn't even notice the small F16 offset.



If you want the max under the F16 rule than the other stealth F16 is for you.



I'll be sailing a T4.9 myself in the F161 class. Granted, I will sail with a higher mast but my mainsail is of T4.9 class size and so on. So I'm not creasing you up here, these arguments were as valid to myself as they are to you.



Wouter