tikipete...you're a trouble-maker!
He is isn't he ? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Our promotion volunteer.
Regarding the F18...our thinking is along these lines: we'll want something high-performance ultimately so why not start out with that sort of boat and the F18 fits that, it's becoming more popular by the day, good level of equivalent performance across the various makes, growing availability of good used boats, good resale potential, no need for tilt trailer. Although racing isn't a primary driver for us, ...
All the sibling rivalry aside, the F18's are good dependable boats that will give you alot of enjoyment.
I won't really look too much at strict one-design status of a F18 (like the Tiger) too much. F18 is where the real racing is, it isn't in any of the OD F18 spin-offs. Also you'll want the more open class rules that the F18 has over figuring out what a manufacturer will allow for the next season.
Until now, I'd hardly heard of the F16 let alone considered one, but since some good points have been made about this being a viable alternative to the F18, we'll definitely give this class a look. One obvious concern would be in racing, should we want to get actively involved would we be limited to open class events, or are there enough F16s in the US on a regional level to have class regattas? What about sea-worthiness in bigger water vs. an F18?
Dependents a little bit on where you are. For example, the F16 and F18 fleets are regatta's in Florida are of the same size. In the great lakes area the F16 is very much an open class boat (at this time).
Sea-worthiness is not a factor to worry about when comparing F16's to F18's. Many non-F16 sailors can be found to claim otherwise, but truly and honestly that is just prejudice. This is not denying any differences between the two, afterall the two boats are different designs, but an F16 will handle big water just as well as an F18.
If you ask me then the real choice, if it comes down between F18 and F16, should be decided on what are going to do with your new boat. If you going for mostly doublehanded sailing with a serious schedule of class racing then F18 will be your ticket. Plain and simple.
However, if you mostly want to do fast reacreational sailing, both doublehanded or singlehanded, with now and then a larger regatta in either mode then F16 will be your ticket.
For recreational sailing fleet numbers don't really count. Also it must not be forgotten that F16's and F18's are very comparable in the way they are fitted out and overall performance. The last will mean you can just share a start with F18's and race them first-in-wins. In the way of speed experience and sailng skills both boats will be very much the same. The F16's have as added benefit that they are much lighter and allow you to sail and race singlehanded really well. If for some reason your wife can't join you then that is not problem at all. One person can unload and rig the F16 without outside help and also sail them, incl spinnaker. It is this aspect that have seen a good number of crews decide for the F16 even if no other F16's were around them. It is also my own main reason to sail and F16. I find that I do the most sailing ever with the F16 as there is no reason not to go sailing when I want to. Crews can show up or leave at the last moments and I can switch between both roles within the time span to hoist or lower my jib sail.
It is therefor my personal opinion that F16's are very attractive for crews that mostly do recreational sailing with a high performance intent. In that role I really do believe the F16's to be better then F18's simply because of the ease to switch from 1-up to 2-up sailing while not sacrifizing any performance or safety.
In some area's F16 racing is approaching a viable class racing structure but as any new class we need to grow into this role progressively during the future. At one time the F18's started with only a handful of boats in Northern France. Over the span of years it grew to the large class it is now. It is illogical for the F16 class to grow in any other way. And F16 grow is steady and secure,
Good luck with your choice
Wouter
