Are some F16s optimised toward a sloop rig and others a cat rig?

Would it be fair to state that if a boat was only going to compete as a single handed boat that a Blade or Taipan (F16) would possibly be better than a Viper? It appears to me that of the photos I have seen, the Viper has a fair bit more buoyancy and bit more weight as it was aimed at the crewed end of the F16 market?

If I were doing it all over again, I'd look more closely at the Taipan 4.9. It seems to be the lightest of those boats mentioned and has slightly less beam. There are two at my club and they do quite well.

I'm curious as to how well the Viper will do as a singlehander myself. It does handle a heavy crew very well, I do know that. That was one of the selling points for me, even though I don't sail 2-up that often.

I wouldn't say optimized, I would rather say better suited.

I sail the Viper single handed most of the time, so I can say that.

I would also say if you are only sailing single handed all of the time, I would say the Taipan might be better suited. But if you pick up crew, I would say you would be at a disadvantaged in races against the other boats.

The Taipan is the founding boat and it's a little dated but it still does well in races singlehanded and crewed.

In the End, it doesn't matter, it's the skill of the sailors.

Mike

Blasphemy and lies!!!



Well then. Thanks for bursting my bubble! lol

I think it's down to the sailor mostly; I've a Stealth and because of the carbon mast it is much easier to right when I wash the sails; My boat is setup to be sailed mostly single handed and as such it works OK for me.

The viper has the largest overall volume of the current crop of boats (I think) and so is prob suited to heavier overall crew weight.

there is only one current design that may be is a solo boat.. a second on the drafting boards.. Neither is commercially available yet..

Seems a shame to have the whole boat optimized one way or the other. To me the key attraction of the class is the ability to sail both ways. That said I'm sure you could easily sail a solo boat two up for fun if you wanted. Maybe solo boats would be great one offs but not so good commercially? Any links to the two designs above?

How about a Thursday threesome!

All the F16's I have seen are more 'suited' with the stick facing skywards. Sorry Scoobs, had to be said.

Can't find many F16 designs other than the Stealth, Taipan, Blade (x2), Viper and Falcon out there in webland, did find this design though.
SYAS F16 - Scroll Down

Anyone got any links to any others?

Bitza F16

one is my own design... No point in making a website for a one off..

Other interesting design in development here:
my-f16-class-pontoon-design-comments-suggestions

Nothing to see here.

Now in production.
www.catamaranparts.nl

So, I don't have to keep my silence any more! Nice looking boat Hans, awesome.

Very nice, Whats the background re designer and builder?

I think you'll find the designer and builder posted the link!

Thanks, I was confused by the fact all the other F16 designs are at the link too.