I had my fist capsize last weekend on my F16. I put a hole in my main.

Good fun .

Hey on both that Viper video and this Falcon one I notice a line running from below the starboard side main beam, forward towards the bridle point, through a block and back to the top of the main beam. I haven't seen that before. Is that the tack line, or something else? What's the thinking behind it? My tack line just comes up from under the tramp aft of the main beam.

There are those that have and those that will.

Don't ask me how I know.

You can purchase the Pentex sailcloth and take it to your local sailmaker and they'll get you back in business as good (almost) as new.

I think that is the jib luff tensioner, not sure though.

Its the tack line which now runs down the spin pole and out (angled) towards the starboard (underneath) front beam:

Feed the tapered end of the line into the spin pole exit slot (an elongated hole on the starboard face approximately 1 foot forward of the base). Run the line all the way through the pole and exit in the middle of the spin pole end plug. Tie a know here so the line will not pull back through. The covered end of the line will now feed around the back side of the front cross bar, and through the following in order: Cheek block -- Tack release ring -- Tack cam cleat -- Pivoting lead block located on the starboard inside face of the front beam. Once through the pivot lead, tie off the end to a convenient lacing loop on the trampoline.

Tack Release: Feed the end with the loop through the grommet in the center of the tramp second aft of the trampoline pocket. Once below the tramp feed the line onto the small plastic ring and tie the larger metal ring on to the end. This should freely reach the front cross back face between the cheek block and the cam cleat.. Tie the second shorter piece of 3 mm line to the small plastic loop. This will then feed up through the grommet located at the forward end of the starboard foot strap. This adjuster line will then tie off to the foot strap. to Properly set the tack release first: adjust the length of the primary line so that the ring just touches the front cross bar at the face of the cam cleat with very little ton no slop in the line. Now tension the adjuster line, tied to the foot strap. This should be set so the small plastic ring is just in line with the opening to the cleat. If excess pressure is required to release the tack line while sailing , the adjuster line is likely too long.

Yes, thats the jib luff tensioner.
The jib isnt rigged properly though, the line running from the end of the pole to the jib-traveller
runs underneath the sheet instead of over it (you can clearly see it at 0:34).

Actually that's how my boat is already set up. I think the jib luff tensioner that Pete and Tony mentioned is the likely explanation.

Terry has the newest version, there are bound to be a few differences.

AND THE WORLD'S SPIFFIEST SPINNAKER!

Pictures??

Question for the F16 crowd. In a few pictures i have seen from Tradewinds, as well as this great video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FyKH-g-OZ4&feature=related , the skipper has been driving from the wire downwind with the crew sitting on the tramp and trimming. Is there a reason for this? As a crew, I prefer to be on the wire- it gives me much more mobility to change the boats trim fore and aft, and I can trim with my legs which is much more efficient. Just wondering!

In that video, the crew weighs all of 107 lbs. I'm guessing that's why the (heavier) skipper is out on the wire instead of the crew.

Normally, the skipper stays on the boat, relaxing and barking out orders, while the crew does all the real work, to include trapping downwind.

I figured it was a weight issue, makes sense. Enjoyed their video, very well done!

Jeff, which side of Boston are you on? There is a new Nacra F16 headding for south-east New Hampshire in April, you two might be able to get together for some practice up there.

I'm in East Cambridge, keep our F18 in my driveway. I'll be sailing the Nacra F16 next week in Pattaya, Thailand, will report back on how it goes. Would definitely be up for sailing this summer if the 18 schedule allows. Hoping the F16 fleet continues to grow in the US, my soon to be brother-in-law sailed his first cat event at Tradewinds and had a great time.

Nice, have fun down there. Are you passing through Narita to get there?

I'm in Singapore for January and February, so going up to Pattaya for the Thailand Catamaran Week on an Infusion MKII. I usually stop in Narita on my way to Singapore... hate that airport.

My guess is that rounding the offset mark in reasonable wind the skipper stays out on the wire while the crew raises the kite. Then they stay like that until the first gybe and probably swap then.

A couple months ago I was flying NRT-SIN quite a bit, maybe I had you on board? We stay at Clark Quay and I usually eat fish tacos at the Iguana on the river. I'm doing Dubai this month though so I won't be down there. I think there is a sailing club out by the airport in Singapre that has several cats. Have you been out there?

Put them in touch with me also as only Eric Witte and I are the only New England F16 owners I know of. Mine is in Plymouth, MA.

Todd
F16 Falcon #203