You should be getting my name by now. It is Wgreen, We are starting late and would like to have as many boats involved as wish to race but.... We do not want to be late for the awards at the Hogs Breath Saloon at 5PM Sunday 29 April. 2007. There will only be 4 awards, first, second, third and first to finish over all. The first place boat with corrected time will be the winner and have his name engraved on the perpectual trophy, whenever we get it ready. If F16's can meet the criteria of Spinnaker or reacher rigged to go with crew of two in a weight minimum, you may race. If I have the qualified weight wrong, we'll discuss it. My book says 290 minimum, but....
It will be a fun race with significant improvement for next year. We particularly like the first turn to try to show some upwind abilities, unless......(Winds can change you know) By the way, the first leg is about 10 miles, so by the time you get back by The Islander Resort you will have 20 of the 55 under your belt and know how you stand. (WE will also) Please do not make us stay out all night waiting. [color:"blue"] [/color]

Okay, I need a 70 lb. crew! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My appologies mr (Warren) Green, for getting your name wrong.




The F16's are indeed spinnaker equipped and doublehanded race boats, we have no class rule regulating minimum crew weight apart from the rule that states that any F16 crew must be able to right their catamaran unaided under any conditions. The 290 lbs weight is not used with anything related to the F16's, for example our min. boat weight is 240 lbs. Maybe we are confusing the class rule of another class with the F16 class, I don't know ?

The same F16 class rules allow singlehanded racing with the same boat but the rules also specify that the race committee of an individual event may place restrictions on which F16 setup may be used. In your case you can ban the singlehanded F16 crews and allow the doublehanded crews.




In as far as this is determined by the boat design (and not crew skills) the F16's will hang with big boats. Their US DPN rating is 65.2 and as such compares directly to a Hobie 20 (miracle) which has 65.0. As the F18 are at 62.4 the F16 as a boat design is not expected to loose more then rougly 160 seconds per hour racing. Over 10 hours or racing that adds up to only 27 minutes in total. But this does assume crews of equal sailing skills.

Some F16 crews are relatively new to their boats and as such I would advice them personally to seriously consider whether they can conplete the race in a normal time frame or have the RC up all night. I know some of the top F16 crews, who will indeed hang with the F18's and I-20's, will be at the Alter Cup event that is held during the same weekend and so. So these crews will not be coming to your event this year.


I hope this clarifies things and I trust the individual F16 crews will take their own responsibility seriously and not be a big burden on the Race Committee. Afterall, we don't want to be excluded in the next years because of some mishap in this year event.

With kind regards,

Wouter Hijink

(former F16 class chairman)

Wout, how diplomatic! Point taken.

Hey Pete,

That doesn't mean I was specifically refering to you ! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

To be honest I have lost track of the US F16 crews a little bit and as such I don't really know their individual skill levels anymore. I do know that the likes of the the Mc's, THE Chuck and Terry Back will be at the Alter Cup as helps or as spectators.

And in my person experience a 100 miles distance race is a long slug and the time differences between crews of different skill levels can quickly add up. The aggrevating factor here is of course the fact that you can't just drop out (DNF) and wait for the next start or retire.

I found that out last september when I got hit with a lower arm that totally locked up during a modest 50 mile distance race. I was perfectly halveway when it happened and had to sail back 25 miles with my right arm tied to my torso and sheeting and steering with my weaker left arm simultaniously in 25 knots of wind. I really don't want something like that to happen on a 100 mile (2 day) distance race.

The same reason why I wouldn't do Round Texel with an inexperienced crew (if I ever get to do it again)

Wouter

Wouter:

I somewhat know how you feel. When we raced Ruff Riders up the ditch in 81, I had a 90 mike beam reach. We did not tack once and could not cleat due to puffs. I could not even touch my head when we got though and took week to get back to normal. I agree a LOT of things can happen in 100 mile races. Just hope some of the better F-16 (Blades I hope) race to see how they do.

Doug

Thanks for your input, greatly appreciated. We will stay with the 2 man crew on the F-16's but allow them to race. This is a ocean race and we have seen some testy conditions on this race before. I believe it was last year, that on a pitch pole event, the crew was totally ejected and had to rely on a fisherman with a speedy boat to catch up with the sailing Cat to return the crew aboard. It is not a place for novices. This race is normally a down wind run, sometimes at breakneck speeds. W Green

Regretfully, I won't be doing this on the Blade. I'm sure it's for the best.

HOWEVER! I will come down and spectate on the Tiki. If I can be of help to anyone, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Wouter please clarify.

"get to do it again"

When did you ever compete in the Round Texel?
What year?
What place did you finish?

As I recall, you told us the only time you were ever on the water
at Round Texel, your prindle 16 was leaking so badly that you returned
to shore without even crossing the STARTING LINE.

What is the truth?

The return of Sam Evans <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Where have you been?