Hi,



I am considering a new boat and currently look at different classes - 16HP, F18 and 18HT.



These are my requirements:

- I would like to sail single-handed from time to time

- I am about 90kg and will sail with crew of similar weight

- I would like to have a spi

- I would like to have a class boat

- Price range around £9k or $14k

- I live in the UK and would like to have a local dealer or manufacturer



The 18HT sounds very attractive, too. But nearly everything speaks for a 16HP boat. The only concern I have is the total crew weight, max. around 180kg!!

- What is the ideal total crew weight for a 16HP boat (Stealth, Bim, Taipan, etc.)

- Does anyone have experience with 16HP boats and crew weights up to 180kg?



Thanks for feedback.



Cheers,

Phil

Phill,



I would like to answer per point.



- singlehanding ? (in UK conditions)



Order is F16, F18 and F18HT



- Spi ?



all named classes



- Class boat (in UK)



F18 and F16, F18HT is a class but no boats in the UK.



- Price range (UK)



F16's are below 9000 pounds. F18 is about 11000 from the last nacra quote I heard and the F18HT doesn't have a UK price you'll need to bring one over from the mainland. Either from Italy or Switserland.



- Local dealors ? (UK)



F16 and F18 are both represented in class and dealor, F18HT isn't.





Ideal Weight for a F16 is around 140 kg's when doublehanding. At your combined weight the preferred class for you is the iF20 class. With regard to your singlehander weight; the F16 will do just fine. The rig is powerfull enough especially under UK conditions. and as the F16 is made to withstand weights of doublehander crews it will have no problem at all with just 90 kg's.



With regard to 180 kg's on a F16; I refer you to the individual builders and ask them to which crewweights they garantee their boats.



I hope this answers your questions.



Wouter Hijink

Phill-

I agree with Wouter and would encourage you to check on the Stealth and Spitfire as the two F 16HP's that might meet your requirements (re: local to UK)-

I believe there are links to their sites on our F 16HP webpage-

(Thanks Wouter!)-



Kirt