It seems that the new BIMARE design will be a Formula 18 (named 4-X) instead of a F18HT as previously announced.
This new cat will be extensively tested during the 2006 season by a top notch French team and raced in the most important international events of the Formula 18 class.
If all goes according the expectations, BIMARE will be producing a Formula 18 cat from the fall of 2006, for the first time in its thirty-year history!
BIMARE is the third major A class builders after AHPC and Flyer, to enter the Formula 18 class.

"BIMARE is the third major A class builders after AHPC and Flyer, to enter the Formula 18 class."

Nacra don't do a bad A class either!

A recent conversation.....

Lalo Petrucci (owner Bimare): These HT's arent selling!
Mario (Bimare marketing manager): So, what do you want me to do about it?
Petrucci: Let me think........
Long Pause - Petrucci paces the floor, head down, hand on chin.....
Petrucci: I've got it!
Mario: What is it Mr Petrucci?
Petrucci: Pour 50kg of resin in the hulls and announce that we are building F18's
Mario: Brilliant, Mr Petrucci, Brilliant!

Now why does this sound so true?

Named after a beer Sailors are serious piss heads

http://www.xxxx.com.au/main/main.html

When you get right down to it, it's not really a NACRA is it?

Pictures?

As they say on that other forum... if no pictures then it doesn't exist or it didn't happen.

Ding

Dingram

the pictures (of the first prototype hull) will be available in 2-3 weeks.
It is a totally new design not a copy of the Javelin 2 (and more radical of the NACRA Infusion).
BIMARE will enter the F18 market only if the new cat will prove itself to be FAST, very FAST.
Otherwise they will keep building only A cats and 18HTs.
Most likely the first complete boat will be ready for the first testsail by the end of February.

I wonder if this Bimare HT will fall apart in the same fashion as its predacessors.

Well that's put a nice, positive spin on this thread!.....

I hear they are going to test it out in a 1000 mile coastal race. Send your Checks now!! Free Lodging and Transportation Included

So.....Seeing that Vectorworks will be making the A-cats for Bimare is there a deal in the works to manufacture this F18 or will they be making the Blade 18? Inquiring minds want to know Matt!
PS: Saw an XJ at the Hangover Regatta yesterday at Dunedin Causeway. It has lines like a Ferrari, very sweet!

I think we can all guess the answer to this question. Bimare thinks they can design a winning F18 in one go. Others who have actually done the walk know better. Blade F18 is 2 years head in development time and it is now testing the second version. It is expected that after completing this it will be put in production. Just as with the Blade F16, the F18 was noticeably modified when it went from the 1st prototype to the 2nd prototype.

You really have to do a significant amount of testing and altering before a design is ready to go and play with the other designs. I think even Nacra is finding this out. So in short, Bimare is quite some time away from having a proper F18. And even then I would love to see the Blade F18 and Bim F18 square-up and see which is the better F18 ! But that is just my personal opinion.

Wouter

When a good manufacturer is launching a new boat... do not think it will take time to get a good boat. Experiences they have and experience will provide them a great booster.

More manufacture will product Cat, more chances we will have to get more sailor coming... Let's make noise.
Good luck Bimare

Jr