Perhaps Wouter could feed it. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Sorry, could not resist.... Carry on.

Man this is bcoming Australia v Wout looking at the posters on the thread, Wout must have really pissed those guys badly over on the Tiapan forum

I know what to do, chuck a couple of New Zealanders in on Wouts side and that should even things up. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Aussies and Kiwis stick together when dealing with a common enemy...

Don't forget where "New Zealand" comes from. We owe everything to Dutch maritime engineering and seamanship! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If you are referring to the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, then you need to look at his voyages. He found Tasmania, New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji on his first expedition before going back to Batavia (now Jakarta). On his second attempt, mapped bits of the North End of Australia, but completed missed Torres Strait and the whole East Coast of Australia. The Dutch East Indies really didn't pursue any of his discoveries as he found nothing worthwhile...

I was only briefly a member of the Taipan forum, 2 weeks in total. I was banned from their forum for suggesting that in the future the Taipan would be sailed competitively with a spinnaker, guess I was wrong <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. Worked out well for me being banned as instead of a Taipan I purchased my third Mozzy and recently moved on to my fourth, wouldn't even consider a Taipan these days.

While I was a member I never saw a post from Wouter.

Darryn
Mozzy
1782

But not like waves <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Me like waves on cat or trimaran, not on lead mine... unless its on a 100ft canting keel weapon.

I wasn't banned from that forum but it was made pretty clear to me that I needed to bugger off and weep in shame of having the misquided believe that I, as a non Aussie sailor, could propose officially sanction fitting a spinnaker to the Taipans to grow the class internationally. At one time I also proposed updating the mainsail and jib design.

Eventually I was adviced to ^$@#&-off and start my own boat class if I wanted spinnakers on the Taipan so badly. Best advice I was ever given. Together with Kirt Simmons and Phill Brander I worked out a new concept based on these ideas and ...

All the rest is history as they say.

Wouter

And I thank you for all your long hours and hard work Wouter. Without your efforts, who would Macca have to poke at? He might have to get his own class to raise it's min. wt! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I must really say here that I could not have done it without co-founder Phill Brander. He provided the all important components (like Blade F16 design) that I could leverage in a broader sense to create the F16 class. I'm indebted to him and you will always see either of us refer to the other when discussing the F16 class success. I had the flashy job (with the personal hatred that comes with it) he had the background job (with the undeserved low profile that comes with that).

So I would move to correct "... without your efforts ..." to "... without our efforts ..."

But I understand the intent expressed in your post, Tim, and thank you for that.

Wouter

Yes, and to Phil! And Matt as well, because absent his efforts to build the Blades over here, I wouldn't be on one. I nearly bought a Taipan 4.9 when they first came over here but they were sooo expensive. Nice boats, no doubt, but beyond my budget at that time. Matt is producing an excellent product and without him I would be on a...? I don't know. Can't afford a new A cat, maybe a used one?

Anyway, thanks to all of you who created the class and the boats.

If we are havinga back slapping fest, we also need to say a thanks to JohnP. His stealth is the backbone of the fleet in the UK.

Yea Wout, Haven't you forgotten about John. The other Co Founder!!! or is your selective memory kicking in again <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mark,

John was not a co-founder, sorry.

We actually contacted John, inviting him to be part of the newly formed F16 class and as such he was part of the earlier group of class members. I think that was done on a suggestion by Peter Cogan (USA) at the time, who we had attracted to the class through this public forum.

The class was founded in the last week of May and early weeks of June 2001. We completed the first F16 ruleset in july 2001 about the same time as the forum went online and I think we contacted John late summer 2001 as in august/september.

But there is more then enough honour in being the first F16 builder.

I guess we'll have to file the "selective memory ... again" quote under Welsh Humour again ?

Wouter

Folks,
These back slapping exercises can be a mine field.
One I'd rather not walk through however-
The fact is JohnP backed the concept of the class.

The first builder to build a fully optimised boat to the rules demostrated that he was not only committed to the concept but he was prepared to take the risk neccessary to demonstrate that committment.

This should not be forgotten.

This takes nothing away from Matt's committment to the class in the US.....
Each builder that enters the class in the spirit of the rules deserves our support and respect.

Wouter
I think you'll find that John was posting comments regarding the formulation and finalisation of Class rules in July 01. So to say he wasn't even contacted until August or September can't be true!!
You can file this one with the rest of your gaffs!!

people have forgotten Kirt Simmons - I thought he put in some hard yards as well.?

Or is this really a case of ego's being stroked. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I would suggest we abstain from backslapping.. Its easy to forget someone or minimize their impact..

This is breaking out into a lovefest. What happened to all the bickering and discussion of boat weights? Rolf, can you get this thread back on topic!!!