Alfred,



Thanks.



Okay you are my size then. I can right my F16 with the alu F16 mast unaided. So if you go this route (F16) then you can save money by getting the alu mast.




In this case get a modern boat with well cut sails and well developped control systems. It will be more enjoyable. I feel this is an argument against the Topcats. Their systems tend to be crude. One option to their boats (for added cost) is a ball bearing traveller car. I hate to envision that these boats come stock with a sliding traveller car, because that will be a pain in the neck in light winds.






It was something that made an impression on me as well. Hasn't happened to me on the F16 however, so I think that I made the right choice back then.

But if you want to be really secure then a carbon mast is key.





You can add to this list :

Stealth F16 = 11.766 Euro incl. cost for spinnaker ( http://www.stealthmarine.co.uk/ )
Blade F16 = 14.000 Euro incl. cost for spinnaker ( www.catamaranparts.nl )
Viper F16 = 14.300 Euro incl. cost for spinnaker ( www.AHPC.com.au but it is not on their website yet )

Typcial cost for a spinnaker package is 1500-2000 Euro's so you can deduct that from the prices quoted above. All F16's are given as sloop rigs including Harken/Ronstan fittings and pentex sails. So you won't have to buy "options" with these offers.

Roughly this means the F16's without a spi come out at :

Stealth F16 = about 10.000 Euro
Blade F16 = about 12.500 Euro
Viper F16 = about 12.800 Euro

The Stealth F16 comes with a carbon mast for that price. The only drawback is that you have to pick it up in the UK and that will add some extra costs due to the ferry. It amazes me personally a little bit that the other boats aren't that much cheaper.





All I have at this time is er persistent buzzing in the cat scene I'm part off that a prototype and fully compliant F16 is to be found at the Bim yard in italy. One guy even says he has seen it. If I were you I would just ask Bim about it. Because if my sources are correct then I really expect this design to be significantly better then the Javelin 16. Since you are not going for the spinnaker I think you'll want the jib, especially when taking somebody along. And I think the hull shape will be noticeably better. This I deduce from the experience with the Javelin 18HT and the Bim Javelin A-cat. Both designs has issues with the rearbeam and hullshape, making them hard to sail downwind. The new Bim XJ A-cat and the Bim F18 look like they have solved these issues. My point here being that it will be a waste to spend 10.000 Euro's on a boat that may be replaced in 2007 by a much improved design coming out at the same price. So ask Bim about the boat and see if there is any truth to this.




Well the most expensive Stealth F16 (carbon mast, spi, snuffer, jib, selftacker, Ullman pentex sails the works) is : 12.650 Euro's incl taxes. Their most basic singlehander excluding spi but with a jib is just below around 10.000 Euro's.

If 13.000 Euro's is your max price then that crosses the FX-one off the list. Leaving the Sl16, nacra 500, jav 16 and topcats aside from the F16's.

In all honesty the F16's will easily take on any of these boats, while being about the same in price. I guess I'm advising you here to take a good look at the F16's. In your case it does really look like the best option.

If you let go of the "modern" boat requirement then the Nacra 500 comes out rather well. I personally like this design. I'm not too hot on the SL16 or Javelin 16. Ohh, before I forget, there is always the second hander option. There are a few F16 second hand offers about, that will most certainly get you a proper boat at 10.000 or less.

Regards,

Wouter