Now I'm leaning towards a Taipan F16--I've always had an affinity for the Aussies and their long-standing success with building great cats.
Since we will use the boat exclusively for recreational purposes (no racing, no resale considerations), it's not really that important to us whether it has the latest ultimate snarky tech details, or whether it is just that nanosecond faster than another boat brand of the same class model.
Since we are a relatively lightweight crew
One last question. What is your combined crew weight ?
We will use it on occasion when we are in Europe on vacation, trailering it on the Autobahn either
north (in your direction to Holland or N. Germany) or Bavaria/Austria to some of the lakes there.
You should drop by. Also when you have decided contact me. There are a few Taipan/Blade sailors in Germany and they are looking to grow the class there and maybe form the German association.
Maybe we can learn something from experts like you!
Well,I'm not an expert. I got my butt handed to me by a proper Aussie Taipan crew; they were bloody fast. But I do alright.
As to the price, I would imagine that the Blade is probably more expensive in Europe, then again it might not, considering the ever declining dollar vis-a-vis the Euro...who knows?
Roughly
Stealth F16 12010
Spitfire 13.675
Blade F16 14.500
Taipan F16 16.000 (but does come with kevlar hull construction for this, while others are plain glass)
As comparison :
Nacra inter 17 + spi + fok = 12.500 + 1450 + 899 = 14850 Euro's
Hobie FX-one = was 14.500 (from memory) last year and I think that was without a jib kit.
So the Blade does actually come out well.
I probably am inclined to get a boat that is more readily available in Europe where the F-16 class has been established longer than here in the U.S., right?
We started first in USA (but only by a little) that is true, but don't think that the EU is small in numbers.
I think the US has about 40 F16's now (excl. the 11 Alter cup boats that will be produced in the next 6 months). But by feb 2007 there will be 50 of them. The EU currently has just over 50 boats right now. We currently have 7 Blades in Europe and we'll have 10 before september 2007 because of a new shipment.
Currently in the World we have just over 150 boats now. The largest fleet is Singapore with 25 boats in one single place (and club). Australia is quickly catching up now, after being the tail ender for a while.
So yes it is true we started first in USA, but very quickly we started in other area's in the world as well and they have grown simultaniously.
Anyway, we will mull over your suggestions and probably start contacting some of the Euro dealers to seee what deal we can get.
Many thanks again!!
