Hi Darryl,

You keep throwing out the F14 minnow bait on the F16 lake and I the big F16 shark will keep biting.

Forget the calculations, you are welcome to come and race me anytime, the conditions you describe 7 to 10kts are the same conditions I have found the F18 to be the most beatable in, not as you describe "ideal conditions for the F18's". They are much harder to stay with when it is a drifter or blowing over 15 kts.

I have found racing against the Aust. titles second placed F18 and others that the F16 one up, out points them upwind easily in this breeze and travels at a similar speed = better VMG to windward. Downwind F16 one up sails deeper and faster getting well ahead. It is not until the F16 one up has to trap all the time, up and down wind that the F18 does similar upwind and downwind speed.

In other words I think F14 one up is still slower than F16 one up, in the conditions you describe. Although of course you never said it was faster.

I just love rising to the bait, especialy after happy hour and a few more with dinner, it's Friday night after all and the footy hasn't started yet, so I have nothing better to do.

Regards Gary.