At the risk of boring the vets on this boat I’ll make this post, but someone thinking about the class could find this useful. My thanks to everyone on this board for your help. I’ve had the boat on the water 16 times so far. Here is what I’ve learned:

1. F16 sailing is the most fun sailing I have ever had. These boats are challenging, but very fast. When I first picked it up, Matt said “it takes another 20 minutes to rig the spinnaker, but I find it’s worth it.” Understatement of the year.
2. How to rig the boat solo. I started out taking two hours. Now, if I hustle, I can do it in 55 minutes, including taking it off the trailer.
3. How to haul the boat. I have hauled the boat 3,800 miles so far, and it took me a few times to figure out how to keep from having to stop every so often to retighten things.
4. Remove all shackles when trailering, they come loose and go bye-bye along with expensive blocks that may be attached.
5. 20MPH + Gusts to 30 = Swim. My current limit is around 15 MPH.
6. Righting the boat. I had help the first couple of times, but now that I know the right angle to lean, I can right it easily and fairly quickly.
7. Trapping out upwind is very easy, downwind under spinnaker, not so much. I stopped trying for now.
8. The boat is very light, but with the right settings, you can handle higher winds. Sheeting, boards, downhaul and mast rotation done right equals less pitching, more speed.
9. Respect the boat & beach. F16 boats need to be treated with a lot more respect than my poor old hobie. I now moor the boat during the day when not in use and I made a set of swim noodle chalks for use on the beach.
10. Gelcoating is an artform. I would suggest you get matching gelcoat when you buy the boat if you intend to keep up on nicks and scratches.
11. Never, ever, cleat the main when it’s gusting. I have a snapped boom as evidence of the consequences.
12. I don’t know sh** about racing. I win easily with the other duffers on the lake I sail on in Michigan, but up against the guys in CRAW, I’m DFL.
13. CRAW is a good outfit. Good guys who will take the time to help you learn. Well organized races.
14. GPS can also help you learn. Study your tracks and you’ll see your flaws.
15. Matt at Falcon Marine provides good service. I have busted two things on my boat so far and had the new parts in less than a week. I have sent an embarrassing number of e-mails to him and he’s helped me with rigging, sailing tips and repair/maintenance.

Life is good.
I had difficulty pointing from the beginning. When sailing Uni, I carry my weight as far forward as possible, sometimes just forward of the forward crossbar. To facilitate this, I removed the aft trapeze and rigged an additional bungee between the original fore and aft bungies. This allows me to move fore and aft without having the harness cut into my hips and pull me off balance.


I can't think of anything more satisfying than a good spinnaker run, especially 1-up.

I took your advise earlier on going as far forward as possible. Especially in the light wind since I am heavier. Thanks

TEH:

" I don’t know sh** about racing. I win easily with the other duffers on the lake I sail on in Michigan, but up against the guys in CRAW, I’m DFL."

Trust me!! Buy this. It will cut YEARS off the learning curve. I have 30 yrs in and I STILL learned for it.

https://store.catsailor.com/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=99&idproduct=6437

Good luck,

Doug

I have the video series, does this add a lot?

A 100% yes......get the book....I wore out one and replaced it to give to grand daughter. Trust me. MUST have for a newbie.

Doug

Sounds good. Any tips (especially illustrated) on reading the wind on the water?

RUBBER RUBBER RUBBER neck, always look around.

Look at the wind lines on the waters surface, specially while on the wire. Look at the folks in front of you, are they heading up or footing off? Also remember the competitor that is in front/behind you, can they be trusted on what they are doing? If in front are the high flying? Get ready for a lift. If downwind are they high flying? Get the idea?

And MOSTLY, have fun, sail with a smile always.

Good luck

Always remember wind pressure. Always try to be in a better wind pressure compared to your competitors. And don't be afraid to hit the corners to find it. Quite a number of times I have been on the layline and tacked off to get more pressure (plus more positions), which meant going away from the mark to do so. But only in the top third of the course for these occasion.

Get out on the race couse early. Sail against a friend on another similar boat and split tacks to see which side of the course might be favored. Also check the line to see if it is square to the wind. If you're in a big fleet with a long starting line don't forget about the "midline sag" phenomenon. A good start will go a long way towards getting you to the top mark first.

you gotta be kidding,...pointing on a uni is the most unfair advantage, search this sit forr tons of info, look for wouter posts....i am average skipper ,..can out point ,...tornado....i 20...n 5.8....every time....so recheck you set up.......mast rotation....out haul..travellor...mainsheet...boards..come on man...or stay on the beach.........yes upwindbows should be submerged...check 'u tube' good f-16 video..
bruce...moving to tamps soon

Greg, are you going to come down in Nov. for the Global Challenge? Should be a great time and I know it's too cold for sailing up in NY in Nov!

I have the NOR on my bulletin board. I work at a winery and might just be able to get away since it will be right near the end of harvest. If I can get them grapes fermented and put away I might be able to pull it off. I'm going to try since I could learn a lot from you guys. There aren't any F16's up here!

TEH- You are one anal-retentive dude, but I mean that in a good way though. You must take alot of notes.

The actual trapezing with the spinnaker up is pretty easy. Getting in and out is a royal pain in the pooper. I'm getting more confident about it, but its tough. I think the important thing is to add a cleat for the spinnaker sheet, which I still need to add. That way all you have to worry about is the tiller when getting out, you can also cleat it for a bit and adjust mainsail trim more easily. I'm about positive that one can go faster on the wire, where I fall short is the few seconds that I've gained, I piss away getting in and out. I can't keep the spin sheeted, concentrate on steering, and get back in gracefully all at once yet.

I did manage to capsize this past weekend trapezing downwind. A wind shift not in my favor forced me to head up right before the finish line. I wasn't going to let the boat right on my heels go by so I turned up and headed at the pin end, then it shifted back with a nice gust and over I went, but I made it across the line ahead of the other boat.

Are you going to Racine?

Believe it or not, I have been called anal-retentive before...

I'm going to try trapping out downwind again. I've just had a few dumps and really get pretty good speed without it, so I put it on the back burner for stuff I need to get down pat.

I am not going to Racine. Long story, but my boat is in Michigan. I am racing up there on Sat. and sailing on Lake Michigan on Sunday. My next CRAW event is something like Sept. 19th because I am not doing that distance race in this month either.

My other comment about my list above is there is a lot to learn about sailing a spin boat. I have sailed cats for 14 years and feel like I am starting over with this boat.

I don't want to discourage anyone though, because it has re-invigorated my interest in sailing.

+1

You work at a Winery? OK, let's move the GC to your place! I'm sure we could all help "stow" that wine! ;^)

Guys, don't flame me before you finish reading this.....

What's the difference between going out with the Spi up vs mainsail up?

IMO, the bit of rope you hold is coming from a different part of the boat. Yes you are going faster. But neither should be cleated when you go out; yes you are (probably) further back when you go out....

So we need to train ourselves to go out with the rope at a different angle.....

I find going out is pretty easy, it's the coming back in that I have too few hands to keep the spinnaker properly trimmed while getting back on board, as the closer you get into the boat, the sheet is being eased, unless you can pull it outward as much as you are moving in, all with one hand. Oh, and don't forget to drive with your other hand!