Berthos,



>> ... though I have been reading this forum for about the last month and have also read most of the F16HP web site. (Nice job, congratulations)



Thanks.



>>Like Michael I can't afford a new one. Most second hand ones seem to be out of my reach at the moment too.



Well, we'll take a look on the resource you've given me. Hope you find a suitable Taipan for yourself too.



>>.... As for the whole concept of the F16HP I quite like it but... Here in Australia generally the Taipan 4.9 is a strong and growing class. ... I would like to see that growth continue.





We would surely like to see the same growth happen in the USA and EU too. Others like Kirt are definately trying to make this happen. I'm personally convinced that the F16 class will stimulate the growth of the Taipan class outside Australia and make it into a world class.





>>At the moment the Taipan 4.9 rules don't permit a spi/gen etc. and the introduction of a class where 4.9's can be sailed with them may split the class.



Well, I don't think that both classes exclude one-another. The group as a whole visions a future where each F16 entry has it's own one-design class race scene at the same time. Much like how the Hobie Tiger is both an F18 and a one-design class. Here in the EU the local racing organisations take great care in avoinding overlaps in F18 and one-design races. If anything the multirole use of the little boats will give them greater appeal.



Apart from this a pole with snuffer is easily fitted and removed again and doesn't require any serious illegal modifications changes to the basic (one-design) Taipan 4.9



An example : The new T4.9's allready come standard with two holes in the bows for the pole supportwires and a maststep that is fitted with a protrusion used to fit the pole to the mainbeam. All the American / EU sailors have to do is get a spi pole and sail and make a masthound from HT line.



Now of these minor changes are in conflict with the one-design rules.



Now when attending a T4.9 race just leave the pole in the trailor. When attending an open regatta or a F16 race, just fit the pole to the boat and rock downwind.



Another point sometimes raised is the handlebility of the F16 spi with respect to female crews and kids. THis was also on the minds of the USA sailors at springfever F16 race last weekend. I inquired withAnn Marie and Hilary about this and they felt comfortable with it after giving it a try in the first races. Really, 17,5 sq. mtr. for the spi is not that much and in no way comparable to the huge spis skiffs. We took this concern into account when deciding on the smaller 17,5 sq. mtr. spi over the bigger and faster 21 sq. mtr.



And really the Guck snuffer system as an retrofit and the Stealth snuffer system look like the answer to final crew concerns.



>> My mind is still open on this point.



Thanks, it is the same as with the Taipan itself. Try it a few times time and you'll want one too.





>>The fairly consistent strong wind conditions in Australia tend to make the desire for spinnakers etc. a bit lower.





I understand. However, in NL where I sail we have much the same conditions and flying a spi just took off a few years ago. And like many others I feel that it really added extra fun to racing and cat sailing, not only in light winds.



But, indeed the choice is on the sailors themselfs. Don't worry I'm not going to push the Aussies sailors to go for a spi. I think that they will discover it in time and in their own pace.





>> When I get my own 4.9 I would certainly consider fitting an assymetrical spinnaker to it.



I can hartly recommend it.



>>I would probably wait until my sailing skills are honed a bit more before I attempted it though. Australian High Performance Catamarans do not guarantee their masts (quite reasonably) when spinnakers are used on taipans by the way.



True, but this doesn't mean that the mast are breaky with the spi. Trick is that you should always release the mainsheet AFTER releasing the spi sheet. In short use the mainsail as the backstay. Come to think of it, there are alot of rumours on spis which are not entirely true.



Best answer is that spi are being run on T's in the USA and EU and things go very well and the female crews feel comfortable handling them. So purely from a technical point of view there is no reason why a T should not be fitted with a spi. Class matters / concerns are totally different ofcourse.



Ohh with respect to light winds in EU. Here I see F20's and Tornado sports pull chutes in windforce 6 (25 knots) and finish, also with everything in one-piece. And spis definately favour these boats over non spi boats.





>>Thanks again for your welcome and I have a topic'd like to see discussed but I will begin it on another thread.



I've seen it. I have the bookm also but I have to read-up on the topic before I can reply. So give me a while.



What do you think is the best logo of the ones presented now ?



Wouter