So I am seriously considering a Wildcat purchase, and have been looking for F18 regattas I could participate in for 2011. I have been on this site, on the USF18 site, the F18 International site, and several google searches- and not come up with much. It looks like NOOD in a couple cities and thats it. Of course the NAs on the east coast. I have talked with the Hobie dealer, and apparently "even" racing with the decent sized Tiger fleet isn't allowed. I know I must be missing something here. Could I please be enlightened on where I would race this Wildcat? Preferably on the west coast but any where... Where are the active circuits?

The West Coast schedule is a great place to start. Linked is the 2010 schedule, but you can expect the same weekends to be booked for 2011. The new schedule is under development right now, with a couple of new events to help teams accumulate points for the 2012 Worlds here in California. There will be a tough fleet of F18s at ABYC in Long Beach next weekend; to name drop, Glaser, Melvin and specific to your interest, Team Westland on a Wildcat.

Where on the West Coast are you?

Wow, for some reason I had clicked on that link several times (at the USF18 site) and not gotten that page. Thank you for the direct link. I think possibly the page is a bit "out of order"- I seriously clicked on "western area event schedule" at least 10 times over a 10 day period and got nothing except a link to the NOR of the 2010 NAs. Thanks again.

I am in Seattle- have trailer, will travel.

PS- any crew opportunities for next weekend? I would love to check it out.

Tiger 1070

You are more than welcome to race any and all Hobie races in Division 3 on the Wildcat. We had one at 3 of the events this year. We are also looking at adding more open F-18 events with the season.

http://www.sff18.org/home
http://www.div3.hobieclass.com/

What do you weigh? I know a guy that definitely needs crew on a C2. Drop me a note at john dot e dot williams at charter dot net.

Div 4 says no- I understand though if the Wildcat is supposed to be faster. They will let you "race" but you don't get scored in the fleet. It makes sense to keep a true OD fleet, but sucks if you are the only Wildcat. Looks like some road trips to Cali may be in my future.

We scored the boats as equal. Hobie F-18 class. Our AGM is this weekend and I will have more info as well as our schedule.

I bought a Tiger last season and sailed F18 regattas at Jericho twice, Seattle NOOD, San Fran NOOD, and DWI (Dinghys Whidbey Island). There is plenty of racing in the Seattle area. A team just bought a Wildcat for Jericho. If you want to race help build the area F18 fleet. I am in Anacortes. Whoever told you you can't race your Wildcat in Div 4 is talking about Tiger only regattas, of which there are fewer and fewer... Every event I did a Wildcat would be welcome. Get on the NW F18 Google group, you will have more emails about events (and other things) than you can stand...

Tiger 1070,

We are the new Wild Cat in Vancouver, BC. We will be racing all over the Pacific Northwest and West Coast next year. I was at the Div 4 AGM a couple of weeks ago and they didn't have an issue with Wild Cats racing at Div 4 events next year.

Brian

Brian-

Thanks for the info. I should clarify again. I was told that I could "race" in Div 4 events, but that it would not be "even" racing with the Tigers. So the event is not an F18 event. The Wildcat would start with the Tigers and be scored seperately. So this gets you on the water and on a course with other boats, but takes away the competition and strategies that come with a race series. In that case, a guy would almost want to stay out of the way of Tigers that may be contenders- covering, even incidentally, and aggressive starts would be almost rude if you are not "in the fleet". This certainly changes the way you sail and the experience in general. Is this the way you understand it? Or do I have some bad info.

Disclaimer- I am not complaining here. Just making sure I know what I am getting into!

You definitely have some bad info. Come sail your Wildcat!

I was told the same thing at last years NOOD race. I could come and play and start with the Tigers, but would not be scored with them. I was then told they were waiting for someone to show up with a Wildcat and then they would decide policy. Did not make me want to go out and be the first, only to find there would be no actual racing.

We've raced with four brands of F18s in the northwest this year. Everyone is in the same frame of mind. Lets get on the course and race within the box design. I don't know of anyone that would try to separate the designs and keep a Tiger group scored separate. Most the Tigers in the PNW have been modified to the point that they can only race under F18 rules. In addressing Hunt's new sleek Wildcat, it has all the bells and whistles and reeks of speed. I had a chance to go head to head in bigger winds -Tiger verses Wildcat. All I can say is, "I've got my eyes on you Hunter".

At the NOOD race that was a F-18 event. We had Tigers, Wildcat, C2 , and Infusion on the line. Got a Hobie stamp on it race it. Our policy will be hashed out this weekend more to come.

I understand there are all brands of F18'a at a F18 event. I am referring to the "Hobie Only" events that are Not F18 events but Hobie one design.

"I was told the same thing at last years NOOD race. I could come and play and start with the Tigers, but would not be scored with them. I was then told they were waiting for someone to show up with a Wildcat and then they would decide policy. Did not make me want to go out and be the first, only to find there would be no actual racing."

From your quote it appears you are talking about a NOOD event. Seattle NOOD? That was an F18 event, though there are mostly Tigers in the Seattle area so that is who showed up. Bring your boat, race your boat, everyone will welcome you! What kind of boat do you have?

Ken, You definitely want to help build the F18 fleet. The Colwells were just last night lamenting you beating them up in the 18s years ago... Sell your Acat and buy a WC, or Infusion, or C2, or whatever, just get some more boats out on the water in the NW!

A question for the CA folks, how good a regatta is the ABYC midwinters? Looks like 7 boats last year with a lot of DNS/DNC's... I am considering coming down for that and the SD NOODS, and there may be some other NW boats who want to get a jump on the season without freezing our tails off up here. What kind of turnout is there likely to be?

Midwinters is the first fleet event of the year. There is usually a fleet of around 10 boats, but the competition is very tough. Ask Jim, who flew all the way down from Seattle, or Phil who drove from NorCal for last weekend. It ain't easy, racing is tight, and folks are friendly.

I honestly don't remember why Dennis and I bailed on Sunday last year - reading the press release, it looks like it was really weird weather last year... anyone remember what the deal was?

Oldtimers, aint it a b!tch! The good news is, it gets worse.

John:

I think for you that Dennis could not sail on Sunday. Our started sinking when we found out that hull plugs had been borrowed from our boat. We never take them out and sailed it the week before, but forgot to look as we launched. Eileen did not want to sail on Sunday because it was too cold and windy. Jeff and Bill did not sail the last race because they won the previous one and felt that was proof enough they were in the game. I think Hansen flipped in the last race and came in.

We are getting a lot of interest in Formula 18 racing. I think we will see a lot of boats on the line this year.

Later,
Dan DeLave
USF18 - West Coast Rep, Class Sec.