A2 price without shipping costs = 21.000 US$ (just platform, mast and a mainsail)
source :
http://www.catsailor.com/forums/sho...0348&page=&view=&sb=5&o=Adding a spi package will add at least a 1000 US$ if you assemble it yourself. Proably 1500 US$ if you order it ready to go.
sub total : 21.000 + 1000 = 22.000 US$
Than add something for your custom order in widening the platform. Your guess is here as good as mine ?
The A2 looks to become as expensive as the M18.
Making the A2 9 feet wide ? And loosing 40 % of the stiffness in the proces ? That is unless you have them redesign and beaf up BOTH beams by 40 % as well. All to keep the mean beam from flexing like a twig under the mast load or having the hulls walk over the waves independently from one another. Same for the rear beam (mainsheet load). Then of course the 3 mtr long circular traveler system will be fun to source and implement. It will even arc as far forward from the rearbeam as 0.40 to 0.50 mtr. Leaving less than one mtr space between traveller rail and side stay ? This boat is quickly becoming a complete custom job with an the now required custom trampoline, custom stays, custom tiller bar and tiller extension, rudders with adjusted Ackermann bend. Making a boat 0.45 mtr wider does impact significantly on many other components.
Will add some extra cost to the overal price I'm sure.
All that and then hoping to make use of the builders warranty as well ? With the much increased loads on the beam landings and such.
And have it delivered soon.
Who is giving you this great advice ?
I'm sure I will get completely flamed for posting this, both publically and privately, but somebody is not offering you his advice but his personal day dream. What ever it is it, it not a practical way to a new boat.
I know because I did revamp an existing design to a similar extend and did all the calculations on it. It took me years to complete the project.
Should I just continue to try and get a M18?
Well, what can I say here. Maybe you should just e-mail all the other builders of reasonable spinnaker equipped singlehanders and see who wants your order the most.
Afterall the differences between an Australian Flyer, the M18, The A2, The Blade F16 and Taipan F16 aren't THAT big.
If none of these react in time than walk over to the Hobie dealor, order an FX-one and never look back. One bird in the hand is better than 10 in sky.
Wouter
