In the UK the A-cat and F16 class have developped quite an interesting relationship, it seems. They hold combined National events and seem to hang out together a few times as year.
Something as is done at the combined Gulfport A-cat/F16 invitational in Florida USA.
So despite the usual bickering I think both class do indeed get along quite well. Hell, the bickering is halve the fun ! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
... Beyond that, I would choose an A over an F-16 because of the consistant develpoment going on in the class. ...
I think this is flash from the past. Back then indeed the A's did nearly all of the development but these days and also since several years, I think the Formula classes do at least the same amount of development if not more.
Personally I think the F18's have a larger turn-over in development now then the A's. Pretty much for the simple reason that this is MORE to develop on a spinnaker equipped and sloop rigged doublehander then there is on a catrigged singlehander. Spinnaker sailing as a whole, T-foils, selftacking fully battened jibs and all that were never developped by A's. Even a very large portion of the squaretop mainsail development was done in the F18's after the A's come up with the idea in the late 80's. Prebend mast sail design was a Tornado development.
The last true development in the A's was the flyer hullshape and that was over 10 years ago. Since then they are moving their daggerboard around a little and fine-tuning their carbon masts but no great effects have been achieved. There have been no real new ideas in the A-cats since then.
The lastest true development in sailing was done by the moths, by going to full foiling. The fore last was assymmetric spinnaker sailing done by the F18's. The A's are, I'm sorry to say, living of past glory a little bit. Especially so as like the F18's the F16's are doing alot of their own development now.
Which isn't the same as saying that the A's aren't great boats.
But the next quote is telling :
Simon, if I'm reading between the lines correctly, are the A's going to get a bit of time off the F16's in SCHRS?
Who would have thought 10 years ago that a heavier aluminium based 16 foot singlehander, at 3/4 the cost would be pressed into being rated faster then the undisputed King of the sailing course of the time ?
This puts the question of which class sees more development into a different light, doesn't it ?
as i said, i'm intending to test both. good looking though the stealth is, most A's are completely georgeous and as a ship designer myself that's the catch.
You should indeed test sail both these boats. You will go home with one of these for sure. With respect to F16's in particular, take a look at the Blade F16's in addition to the Stealth F16's. If you arrange to be at Datchet sailing club sometime then you can test sail both of these F16's and compare them directly.
The attached picture is of the Blade F16 I mentioned, shown in doublehanded mode. You have already seen pics of the Stealth I gether.
The European Blade F16 dealer is himself an old A-cat sailor. Again, you see how closely these two classes are related at different levels. He has excellent contacts in the A-cat carbon mast development/production. Personally I would be very interested in seeing a crossover between the F16 basic setup (wider platform with a spinnaker) and the A-cat carbon mast expertise. This guy will be able to deliver a top product on both accounts. Well worth a closer look I figure. Such an F16 (including the selftacking jib for the occasional doublehanded sailing) shouldn't cost more then an modern A-cat.
For info on the class go to :
http://www.formula16.orgOur very active class forum is at :
http://www.catsailor.com/forums/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=Fleet45After 12664 postings in 1141 threads I think it can safely be characterized as "very active". You don't have to worry about getting any replies there ! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
There are heaps of pictures there. The "best of the best" section needs updating as there are a score of better pictures in the events folder. But I'm trailing a little bit behind on my duties.
And this is also a good time to write down the disclaimer, as required. I own a F16 myself and have been an active member for many years in this class. I'm racing the European Blade dealor in my club races and had great fun biting at his heels this year as I'm not as good a sailor as he is. He is about 15 years in (A-cat) experience ahead of me.
Good luck and also best of enjoyment wished to you when you test sail both boats.
Wouter