I see further down that its proposed that the F16 be promoted as home built-We have been heavily involved in A class, both in support of home builders and as manufactures and I feel I am in a better position than anyone to comment on any proposal of this type.
<br> And my answer is: No way,the perception of a home built devolopment class kept the A Class small and on the fringes in the USA, and ruined its resale value, destroying peoples confidence to enter the class, the days of people making their own boats have passed. If its to be successful the boats must be easily available , good quality and strong factory backing.
<br>Jim Boyer<br><br>

Jim,
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<br>Even though I like to build my own boats I did not see this as a "home built class".
<br>I thought the F16 would have the homebuilt option as does the F18 and Taipan 4.9.
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<br>We all know that people such as myself build boats for the enjoyment not the cost savings.
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<br>From my point of view it is just great to have it as an option.
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<br>The rules appear to be set up so several different professionally produced platforms fit within these Rules.
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<br>I see the rules as setting down a framework by which these different platforms can compete against one another and againt the F18s (where numbers are such that this is desirable.)
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<br>Phill
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F16 HP was never setup to promote homebuilding, this was gebhards preception which he worded in his post. The class is however intended to be open to "doing things different when crews feel the need to do so" To home build a whole boat is without a doubt a big job but making a carbon Genaker boom or an open trampoline is much less of a job. Outhaul, downhaul systems are also easily redesigned and build by amateurs. The F16 HP was constructed to allow this.
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<br>This point must have gone lost somewhere in the communication/translation.
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<br>BTW ; I just got back from a sailing holiday in Greece, hence my late reply.
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<br>Wouter<br><br>