Bill,



Not really. Think of formula racing as the way nascar or F1 automobiel racing is set up. All boats must satisfy the limits set in the class rule set otherwise they can't race in the class. But the rule set does still allow significant freedom in how a F16 design is made or fitted out. Currently the nacra 17 does not satisfy all the F16 class rules.

But it must be said that the nacra 17 is pretty close in performance to the F16's so it could directly race F16's on that aspect alone. But officially it can't. Most F16 sailors will welcome nacra 17 sailors however. The more souls the more fun. Obvious expection will be of course any nationals or similar events of equal importance.




In the US it all comes down to who makes class and who doesn't. Were I sail we don't do seperate classes very often and all classes start and finish together. In the US, class is however important. In my experience the nacra 17 doesn't make class at events outside of the great lakes region. Hobie 17 however is more spread out and does make class at events in more spacially seperated locations. F16's make class often in south-eastern USA, in other area's of the US the F16's are still building up minimum class size in order to make class. But that is progressing quite satisfactory. California is probably the next area to see F16's make class more often. There is talk of a F16 fleet forming in southern USA. Forida sees F16 make class often.




There are none. Only regulation is that you need to have a righting setup that allows you to right the boat unaided. At 220lbs you don't need anything other then a righting line. I'm 185 lbs and can right my F16 singlehanded with a righting line in all conditions.





Sailing a F16 singlehanded is actually encouraged in the class. In the past too many sailors thought of the F16 as mostly a doublehanded boat. It will actually do both equally well. The basic F16 design was designed to be safely sailed singlehandedly as well as doublehandedly, so there should not be any reason not to do so.

Being only 107 kg (236 lbs) fully rigged and ready to sail makes it is even logistically easy to singlehanded transport the F16.


But Bill, it is wise to first decide on what you really want. It is easy to spend alot of money on these modern boats relative to just buying a second hand H17 for example. I think the pleasure in sailing these modern boats is well worth the money, despite the fact that I'm not a particular well-off in the bucks department. But this is something each sailor must decide for himself.

It may well be wise to start cheap, give sailing a good try and only when you lust for more after a while by a modern rocket

I hope this helps,

Wouter