Thanks Lance and Wouter!

Now I just have to shake my piggy bank and she how much falls out!

Ok guys, I'm gettin' ready to call Matt and place an order. Anything else I should know before I smash my piggy bank?

remember the midget discount!!

What midget?

btw- I'm going to take your earlier advice and visit a few "private" sailing locations just to see if there is any public access.

I may take you up on that!

Just tell him Robi sent you. LOL

welcome to the group

Would this be a good time for a plug for the Gulfport (Fla) F-16 and A Class Invitational? April 1 & 2.

http://www.gulfportyachtclub.com/id31.html

Ed

I would say that that is definately the case :


It was just posted on the F16 forum that :"... looks like we are going to have somewhere between 6 to 8 F16's ... I have just got confirmation that Hollis Caffe is attending with his Taipan. That is 6 that I know are coming. "

The F16's will race in a mixed singlehanded/doublehanded fleet without any handicap calculations, so the order on the finish line is also the final order for the points. Just as the F16 class is intended to be raced when not part of a larger open class fleet.


I'm sure the A's will have 10 or more boats as in the previous years. Right now 6 A-cats are listed as registered. More will certainly register in the weeks to come.

It is looking to be a very enjoyable event again. Just like the former 2 times it was held.

Wouter

I thought that when most sailers "shake the piggy bank" all they got was cobwebs?

If anyone has better ideas...I'm listening.

There's plenty of room for cobwebs now!

Does anyone have rigging tips for the F-16 solo? On the H-17 I kept my rig noticably looser than other 17's. That resulted in very good performance to weather, but dismal downwind performance.

What are the tactics when sailing in a mixed fleet of A's and 16's?

Is there an established etiquette when sailing near A's?

In the past, I mostly just ignored boats other than my class, and kept clear air.

How much for 2 extra feet of hull?

There's one in every crowd!

> Is there an established etiquette
> when sailing near A's?

As it happens there is: stay behind them.

Pete, Be nice and wave as they blow by up wind.

Theres more than one in this crowd, after all I didnt even mention midgets.

What is this thing with midgets!!

Tad just seems to have got it into his head that you can only sail F16 if you're small.
He is of the 'bigger is better' view. But we all know that it's not size that matters - it's how you use what you have!

Yeah right - keep drinking the Wouter cool-aid.

Size only matters when you are talking about the direct correlation between water line length and speed, or the fact that catamarans suffer more due to added weight (crew weight) and a longer water line would support added weight better. Or that longer is better in waves, especially short steep waves we most likely sail in close to shore. And lets also remember that all cats could use more bow upwind and down.

So yes size does matter. But so does weight. And right now the F16 wins because it is light. But watch out for the lightweight 20 footer than can be single and double handed, has a spin and is way faster than a F16, and can carry weight better and is better in waves than a f16 could ever hope to be.

Sorry to rain on the F16 love fest, but it's not the be all, end all and size does indeed matter.

Etiquette: As in: Protocol or Manners

Since I sail with crew, Protocol dictates that I have the crew go into distraction mode with the A sailor, especially if it is Lucky Duck. Like: Oh look an Eagle, or how was your day honey, or hey your chutes dragging in the water. As for the manners side of this, well perhaps our manners would apply if we were ever a lap ahead, however this has not been my experience to date. Maybe this season we'll get the chance to be a lap ahead and will show some restraint. FEAR the Duck!

Hmmm, I thinking that throwing a beer to the A sailor might help.


Pic is of Lucky Duck Showing his form, Nice!