Hello Sam,
>>I would like to remind you that Jim Boyer developed, built and raced the Taipan 4.9 in 1988. And with a spinnaker.
Very true ! Still that spi they used in '88 was a few generations back from the spis that the boats use now. This field has seen quite some development over time.
>>He figured out the "light boat thing" long ago.
As did the A-cat sailors and class, that is also were Jim got his inspiration from. So I guess we all continue to build on the foundations laid down by others.
>>The Taipan 4.9 is still built and sold as a class legal Taipan 4.9, NOT an f16.
The Taipan 4.9 is sold with spi from the dealors. T4.9 rules don't allow spi's, so what is this boat then if it isn't a F16 ?
>>The f16 class has had nothing whatsoever to do with the developement of ANY boat.
Actually, like kirt says the Stealth F16 is build to the rule and as a direct result of the foundation of the F16 class. A few of us are building our own versions of a F16 boat of which the most experimental one is currently build in the USA. All to the fullest of the F16 rules. It is not unthinkable AT ALL that these experimentations eventually lead to a second design that is fully designed to the F16 rule in something like 1 to 2 years time. If my vote carries any weight than this design will be put into plan form and available to homebuilders AND builders that buy the hulls/boards and mast and finish the boat from that. The first option is not for most sailors but the second option IS as we can handle a drill and a rivet tang. And all the other hardware can easily be source locally.
You may reply with just "Promises, promises" Then I underline that the boats currently build and being build as a direct result of the F16 class are :
-1- Stealth F16
-2- My own F16 design called the Typhoon F16
-3- The F16 design build by Bob H. in the USA with completely redesigned hulls
All of these are confirmed and I didn't count the others that have bought the plans but haven't started building.
>>All of the f16 boats existed in some form before the class was ever dreamed of.
As Kirt indeicated, this is simply not true. As per above three different designs are currently being build of which one is already commercially offered.
>>Give credit where credit is due, not where the most noise comes from.
Indeed, so how about giving us some more credit. A group of homebuilders, sailmakers, class enthousiasts and sailors are working very hard on new fully optimized designs, the webpage and the growth of the class.
We all as a class congratulate the F18HT class on the decision to make make the Javelin B the Worrell 2003 boat. Which is also a direct result of the class and not a mere result of the design existing.
And we are confident that both classes are here to stay and well definately advance the catamaran scene in the USA.
Having said this, I believe personally that the I-20 class will not die out and remain as a popular class. You guys are all way too jumpy about these things.
And to the sailors outthere. The F18HT's gets all the attention right now and rightly so but do not make the mistake in thinking that the F16 class will wither away now.
We are going strong, our forum page is very active, our homepage contains more content that the bulk of the other cat webpages outthere and the techies in our group are working on new designs and setups.
Go lightweight !
Wouter
