Turns out at least 2 crews at my sailing club have ordered the new Nacra F18 called the infusion. In my conversation with one of the new owners I also heard its new nickname : The Nacracorn. (or Nacricorn).

One crew has sold their Inter-20 in order to go F18. Seems like the same thing is happening in the Netherlands as is happening in Florida.

I just read that Nacra is now serious with persuing the Inter-20 One design class globally. The EU F20 sailors are offered an upgrade package at (what they say) a discounted price. This means a larger mainsail, probably the same one as the US Inter-20. After that they are closing the class rules to "all parts mus be bought with Nacra" and the class goed Single Manufacturer One Design class, implicitly leaving the Formula 20 class. It is doubtful that the F20 class setup will survive. But if it does survive than it surely will totally rejuvinate and see an exiting time in the future with new models coming out. Personally I doubt wether it will survive however; F20 was never as broadly accepted around the world as the F18 class.

In short we are looking at some additional grow in the F18 class from I-20 sailors jumping ship to the F18. I must be said however that alot of crews already jumped ship in the last two years because the F18 world championship was held in The Netherlands during 2005.

So the catamaran scene overhere is once again on the move, with the F18 class as the single exception. It is looking to grow as a result.

Wouter