Ran accross this on the Formula Catamarans Australia web site. The follow prices are quoted for the Australian F16 Blade...

"Upgrade to carbon mast $2,300"
"Upgrade inner hull laminate from plain e/glass to 200g carbon fiber $750" (Note: Outer laminate is already Kevlar)
No Carbon beam option listed.

That's $3,050 Australian or $2,471 US at the moment...if you spent another $1,200 on aftermarket carbon beams you would still be $3,671.00 US dollars...Where does the other $11,329.00 dollars go? To pro sailing teams?

Take the "Viper" glasses off for a moment and look at the other F16 offerings. Who is to say that if the pro sailors driving the Vipers were sailing a Blade/Falcon/Stealth that the win would have been just as big or bigger? Or that if you were on that 125kg Viper you have been lusting over,instead of a near minimum weight Blade/Falcon/Stealth, that you might find your self even farther back in the pack?
Guys like macca make their living convincing you that if only you had the boat they sail you too would win...

Something to think about before jumping off the "F16 class needs to raise it's minimum weight rule" cliff with macca and his minions.

Macs has minions? Or is that a typo for mini onions...

That's funny!

Minion as defined by Websters dictionary ": a servile dependent, follower, or underling"

Yes, but "many onions" is kind of funny! After all, it is late in the day, may as well exit laughing.

Kudos to the person who can find a clip of the SNL skit with Martin Short, Tina Turner and a 'fridge full of onions.