Seriously.

Can an F16 be sailed in potentially wild conditions for a distance of 50 miles in the open ocean without destroying the boat or killing the crew?

I've been thinking about this for about a year or so (coinciding w/ first pangs of middle age crisis I think ) - seems like an unexplored aspect of the sport.

My thought is to sail my Taipan F16 from the Golden Gate Bridge 'round the Farallone Islands (www.sfbama.org/fs/) and back through the bridge.We'd ("we" being myself and another local F16 sailor ,selected from submitted resume's , hopefully someone w/ paid up insurance. A medical degree would be nice...), be looking at a weekend in March of 2006. Our trip would be video documented from a follow boat and an official time recorded.

The trip might evolve into a kind of Time Trial Race for any 16 foot catamaran meeting class and safety parameters and willing to pay an entry ($800) covering costs of safe attempt. The money is held in escrow and paid to the fastest elapsed time of the season (a window of say March thru June).

I'm thinking this first attempt could become part of the promotional package for an annual event on par with Round Texel or the Worrell thingy.I think permits and insurance are doable. Have an idea for a "seed money " corp. sponsor etc..

I see advert. $'s and the possibility of not teaching summer school...But is it possible ?

Thoughts ?


Paul Kilkenny
F16 Farallone Islands Invit. Race
Committee Chairperson