Everyone check the main board! Vipers, in central Florida!

This will increase the numbers of F16s big time. Will make an interesting battle between one design and the other too. We will be able to answer, to an extent, the weight question also.
Hopefully the boats get snatched up.

Wow, that is great news !

And thrumphing the Hobie Corporation in the proces at that !

Although I still think that the Hobie 16 woth spi would be fun for any of the next years events (if the NAHCA ever get their heads out of the mud and just give a dispensation to carry the spi and not make it into a political play)

Gee man !

Blade F16's in the alter cup final of 2007 and now Viper F16's in the final for 2009 !

Not bad for a class that according to some doesn't even exist !

Thanks to "Fun in the Sun", AHPC and I'm sure Greg Goodall for making this happen. Major achievement.

And just like Patrick says, that is 10 more F16 boats in the US fleet/scene !

Wouter

Wouter, that comment is not only inaccurate, but crass and unseemly as well.

Yes, the truth does sometimes have those qualities.

Apparently there were two contenders for choice of boat for the 2009 Alter Cup finals. One was the Hobie 16 + spi and the other the Viper F16. The Viper was selected and Hobie can give it another try for 2010. Enough said !

Wouter

That's not accurate. At all. The championship exists at the forbearance of the manufacturers, among which Hobie Cat has been pivotal. The Hobie 16 with spinnaker is not an option for an adult championship in the US.

I don't tolerate statements made purposefully to tear down another class - not even when it is your class. There are too few of us to cast stones. You make yourself a fool when knocking down the house in which you're standing.

Are you saying that the Viper F16 was NOT selected ?

That the Hobie 16 + spi was not a contender ?

That NAHCA is not using these very same Hobie 16's with spinnakers for two official Hobie class events straddling the Alter Cup 2009 ?

That somewhere, somehow, some person in the "Hobie Way of life" decided that the boats would have to have their spi kits removed before they could be used in the Alter Cup 2009 event ?

That the comments made by the involved parties themselves on the main forum are lies ?

What do you think is not accurate ?


Reporting the facts about a truthful situation or paraphrasing the comments expressed by the involved parties themselves in public is not tearing down a class, my friend.

It is simply reporting the way the cookie has crumbled.


Sure, this is a painful situation. But I'm not the one to blame here, nor can the situation be rescued by coming down on me; despite the fact that that will make some people feel alot better. I am really no factor in this.

Sorry mate,

Wouter

Wouter, stop being an butt.

You have no idea what really happened in the US over the decisions on what boat to use.

I know that in the US, the Hobie 16 with a Spi is not something that the Hobie 16 Class wishes to promote as a class.

i am delighted that the viper is gonna be the boat for 2009, will not only bring more f16s in might be able to use them as charter boats for the GC after the alter cup and allow more of our brothern from around the world to come here.
As for the hobie 16 stuff, I like others in the f16s first cut my cat teeth on a h16. Still a great boat considering its age.
I was one to always try and upgrade it (mylar square top) which is why the f16 was so much better fit for me.
But i do not think any class or person can make bad remarks about the boat or the way the class runs it. Hell we are no where near the size the hobie 16 fleet is and probably never will be. I learned while a member of a large lightening fleet that some times change that seems reasonalbe will actually destroy the class, so saying no is often nessasarry. I do not know about across the pond, but here most of our largest class are on boats that were designed way before i was born (h16, flying scot, thislte, lightning) and maybe we should not degrade how they run their class but take some examples from them, cause they have watched a lot of classes come and go, but they still are around.

Correct Jody,

I hope the Global Challenge will be organised after the Alter cup to increase the number of contestents.