Normally this forum is told first of new development but this time she is the last.

However the news is that the Vectorworks Marine, located in Titusville Florida, will build the Blade F16 design, of Phill Brander and Ian Marcovitch, in the USA.

See for the official announcement : http://www.1design.net/cgi-bin/webbbs_config.pl?read=5699

See VectorWorks Marine website : http://www.vectorworksmarine.com/

From involvement I know that several components have been sourced and that the electronic model to guide to machines have been rendered. The next step is to build the first batch and test these and identify any remaining issues that need to be addressed. I'm told a group that of test sailors to help in this has been found. Still, there is room for more.

Of course with the continuing bad exchange rate of the US dollar the F16 class had a problem with regard to the US scene. We are all very happy with this new development and the F16 class / designers will fully support Vectorworks Marine and Matt in any way she can.

With kind regards,

Wouter

Great news.

I've had many inquiries here on the West Coast about the class and the boats due to their versatility, ease of handling, and giant-killer performance. The biggest obstacle for many people joining in is the exchange rate for the USD. When I got my Taipan it was an unbelievable value considering the boat. Now it's more expensive than the much heavier I17R, largely because of the currency issues. If the Aussie and UK F16 builders had a group of US buyers, perhaps they could cut a good deal for them to make the cost more feasible. But a US F16 builder circumvents the issue and will once again offer US sailors an incredible performance value in the F16 package.

On a side note, some folks are getting into the class by resurrecting older designs and modifying them. Obviously, the Cobras and Mossie are examples. These aren't seen much in the US but there are other good platforms that can be modified inexpensively. Our next regatta should include a "nacra F16"--a converted Nacra 5.0. The owner will be on the water with very minimal cost thanks to creativity, elbow grease, and some leg work. The class rule are set up to reward skill and creativity, not fat wallets.

>>Now it's more expensive than the much heavier I17R, largely because of the currency issues. If the Aussie and UK F16 builders had a group of US buyers, perhaps they could cut a good deal for them to make the cost more feasible.


Something like that is absolutely feasible but only when having a firm commitment of 5 boats. It has proven very difficult to gether such a group in the past. Mostly because people want to see the boat first and when decided want to have it immediately. Gethering a group like that takes time.

>>But a US F16 builder circumvents the issue and will once again offer US sailors an incredible performance value in the F16 package.

And is much more effective. By the way the price is intended to be attractive as well. Not as the way the Taipan is not positioned against the I17R


>>On a side note, some folks are getting into the class by resurrecting older designs and modifying them. Obviously, the Cobras and Mossie are examples..... Our next regatta should include a "nacra F16"--a converted Nacra 5.0. The owner will be on the water with very minimal cost thanks to creativity, elbow grease, and some leg work. The class rule are set up to reward skill and creativity, not fat wallets.


You won't believe how much the Mossies did for the class. It installed the believe in many peoples mind that wins can be achieve even when using upgraded boats. I'm very thankful to these mossies sailors for that.

Wouter

So what is the price going to be roughly?

Mark.

>>So what is the price going to be roughly?


I can't name any number, I'm sorry.

But let me give you a feel of what is meant by the following comments.

Both the Nacra F18 and I-17R are the most financially attractive on the US market today in their different market segments. All other boats like Tigers, FX-one and yes Taipan are significantly more expensive when only looking at purchase price.

It is the full intention of VectorWorks Marine to directly compete with the most financially attractive designs available in the double handed and single handed market segments. In every sense.

Does that answer it ?

Wouter

Thanks for the info Wouter.

Here's a little food for thought.

With the rise of the $US versus the $Aus will the Blade continue to be competitive price wise in the near future? After 10 minutes of web searching and a little spreadsheet work I have found the following information.

On Feb 17th the $Aus hit the high value mark for 2004 (so far). It was set at 1 $Aus = $US 0.797900 and has been on the way down since.

On May 18th the $Aus hit the low value mark for 2004 (so far). It was set at 1 $Aus = $US 0.686601

Today, June 2nd the $Aus = $US 0.697000 which is a result of the fall of the $Aus on 5 of the last 7 trading days.

Now cosider this.....

Lets assume that a Taipan 4.9 cost "about" $Aus 17,000

On Feb 17th it would have cost $US 13,546.30

On May 18th it would have cost $US 11,672.22

Today, June 2nd it would cost $US 11,849.00


With the upcoming world events and a increase of the prime interest rate (due in a few weeks) and other things that will cause the $US value to rise against the $Aus, it seems as thought the $Aus will soon get to the value of $US 0.630000 which will make the Taipan 4.9 cost $US 10,710.00!

Can the US made Blade compete with this drop in $Aus?

But of course shipping needs to be calculated into the final "boat in hand" cost!

What do you think?

That's about what it was when I bought my Taipan--still a lot of dough but a great value at a few thousand less than the fx-1 or i17r! I think part of the F16 appeal can be that it has F18-like performance at less cost, less weight, and with more versatility.

Does anyone know what the new cost of a Taipan is in Australia? It's just that $17,000 is way below what I have heard, so I was a little surprised to see this.

Maybe this is the "base" price - ie. no jib, no trailer, no spinnaker, glass hulls ...

Anyway it's great to hear Blade hulls will be built in the US. Maybe we will be importing them back to AUS until we have a builder here.

Tim

I'm not to sure about those Aud 17,000 for a Taipan F16. Maybe it is correct for a Standard Taipan (no spi) in the basic setup.

A listing of aug 2001 has the Taipan + spi at 17.541 Aud. That is the most basic setup with glass hulls, glass boards, alu rudderstocks and plain white sails with a spi kite including a single colour spi.

I accept that this listing is dated and that the prices all but certainly have changed since then. It is afterall 3 years old.

Source : http://www.x-rates.com/

However 17.500 Aud translates to 12.197 Us$ = say 12.200 UsD ex tax, ex shipping. I think shipping is at least some 1500 Us$. So do the adding up. But then again you would have to ship your blade as well, this will be cheaper but it still needs to be added to the price of the BLade.

I think the exchange rate has to drop to at least 0.60 Aus to 1 Us$ to be directly competing (in cost) with any locally build boats. That is still a 15 % drop. Incidently that would make the US$ equal to the Euro as well. Of course this hasn't happened over the last year.

We'll just have to see. I for one certainly hope the exchange rate goes down.

WOuter

Tim,

>>Maybe we will be importing them back to AUS until we have a builder here.

Humm, the thought has occured on several other minds as well.

Wouter

So when is Vectorworks Marine going to have a Blade on the water in Florida for everyone to race against? We will have 3 Taipan F16HPs sloops racing this weekend in the Jetty Park Ocean Regatta which is practically in their backyard. It would be nice if they could make it out and show the boat off a bit.

Jennifer Lindsay
Taipan 4.9/F16HP #262

[color:"black"] [/color] Greetings,

I'm not sure but I think that Nacra F16 Eric referred to is mine. But in any case, I am building a Nacra F16 and do hope to be up and sailing by the time the next "cat fight" in California comes along in late June.

I'm starting out with a relatively new, if somewhat seedy looking Nacra 5.0 that I pretty much got for a song and didn't sing very well. I'll be using the Nacra mast and having the sails recut by Skip Elliott, who is very knowledgable (he's made all the sails for Nacra for years!) and a GREAT guy. He's also going to give me a quote on a gennaker, but since he's quite reasonably, I'm not too worried.

And while I'm under NO illusions about how competitive I'll be (overweight & no daggerboards), I'm still looking forward to getting out on the water and raising some hull.
And, yes, a pair of either Taipan or Blade ply hulls may loom on the horizon. If so, I'll simply move the sails and hardware over and shazaam - a reasonably close to state of the art F16.

According to the folks at Nacra, who are also being quite helpful, there are well over 1000 5.0's out there. My take is many of those are languishing in backyards and can be "had" at a VERY reasonable price.

And while a new Blade of Taipan may be THE preferred way to go, I plan to be up and sailing for around a $1000.00, depending on the cost of the gennaker.


So thanks to both Eric and Wouter (way to go, guys) both of whom have been quite helpful. See you on the water!

John Metzig
Hesperia, CA
Nacra F16 - USA 74

Now that I have your attention, read John M's post.
Eric

You won't see it this weekend I'm afraid. For one thing the masts haven't arrived yet. I know because I'm involved in that one. (Maybe that is the reason why they are delayed ?)

Sorry.

Wouter

I'm not saying anything in favor or against the Taipan or the US Blade but the Taipan is available now and nobody knows the cost of a US Blade. I would buy either boat but the price has to be right, that's why I decided to do a little research. Major price drops for any F16 boat will be a boost for the class which is something I support, that is part of the reason I am giving out this information, so people know that things are improving in the "F16 cost" area, this will make a F16 boat more attainable to more people.



I have a quote dated May 13th this year. Complete Taipan 4.9 with standard sloop fitout (glass hull, glass foils) "about" $Aus 17,000. So your right, it is standard, there are many options avaiable but not at a great cost excepting the addition of a spi.



At today's exchange rate the "$Aus 17,000" taipan cost $US 11,643.27. Due to the exchange rate (which is falling very fast, todays rate is the lowest this year) the cost of the Taipan has dropped $US 561.03 in the last four days! The value of the $Aus has already droped 15% since Feb 15th, and I think it will continue to drop.



The monthly average value of the $Aus in April 01 was $US 0.505. I think it will be at $US 0.60 anytime within the next 4 weeks; values change very drastically at times.

I don't live in the states so I will have to pay for shipping on any new boat( shipping, not so much $, I have an good friend who is big in the overseas shipping business) and tax (taxes, no friends there to help ).

What ever the case, I for one am very much interested in sailing F16 am I am doing all I can to get myself a boat. All I can say is that anyone else with interest in the class good new is on it's way in the form of a strong dollar AND a US built Blade. Take advantage and be happy, things are looking bright for F16.

Great work John,

An F16 at $1000! that's a deal that would be hard to beat. Here where I live the only cat's that I have been able to find for sale are H16's and you can't touch them for under $1500 and no good for F16. Right?

Congradulations on your boat.

Stealth F16 base price (everything included) = 7200 Pounds = 13000 US

Wouter

When choicing between a basic Taipan and one with the upgrades (Glass-Kevlar hull , carbon rudder stocks and boards, etc) Than I would definately choose to go with teh upgrades. AHpc is indeed not charging anything but very attractive prices for the upgrades and they look really nice. Kevlar -glass hulls is just teh best you can get, maybe even better than full carbon hulls. Hell those hulls could stop a bullet !

Wouter

Thanks for the support and encouragement, Eric. I am including a photo of my boat as a before picture.

John