Hey John,

What do you think about the NAF18 Championship coming up. I think the Cap will take it because of the talent on the boat. I think Robbie and Ollie have been traning a lot. I might have a chance if I get real lucky and a lot of top teams have an OCS.

Didn't a Cirus win about 4 or 5 years ago in between Booths dominace and Bundy's

yep Cirrus won. If you look at the footage from that reggata the Cirrus boys had a much bigger head on their main than all the other top boats (The hobies were using SX mains), not surprisingly at the following worlds which Bundy and Gashby won, all the top Hobie teams were running the fore-runners to what we now know as STX mains.

Contrary to popular belief, there are catamaran regattas in Northern California which are not Hobie-only. I should know, I've been to six of them so far this year. Sometimes we see Hobies Tigers at these regattas.

Sadly, I never have seen a non-Hobie F18 at a regatta, which means that it's rather unlikely that there is one that races in the area.

I admit to be pleased to have been proven wrong!

Glad you brought that up, Rhino. (All Hobies, Nacras, A-class, SolCats, Prindles, Taipans, Capricorns, Tornados, etc. welcome at th MHRA events! see www.catamaranracing.org.)

Sorry I missed Rio--hope you guys had a good time.

John,

it is about time to settle this. Jake, what say you? Have there been any significant changes to the Tiger platform?

(now how on earth am I going to get a decent bottle of wine to california?? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

What sayeth me about what? I'm in South Cackolacki...that was John that moved to the wrong coast.

John and I wanted you to decide on



Post #83087

Stakes was a bottle of wine, going to the winner (and I am already thinking about how to get it to Calif.). Sorry for the confusion! John and I can settle directly if you dont want to have a role in the play <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Oh yeah! I'll take that responsibility. Preliminary judgment is that there has been no major change in the Tiger platform, but this is based solely on the fact that I need to research it to be sure.

I will have an official ruling within a week's time.

Oi! Good memory! Or maybe it is "normal memory vs. faulty one." <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I will abide by Jake's assessment - on the surface, I'll concede that the rudder changes are fairly significant because you have to re-drill the gudgeons to make the mod on a pre-2007 boat. Other than that, I think the minor sail changes are within the bounds of what I thought might happen. I like the new colours, certainly. I don't think the boards ever moved, though. Even if Rolf doesn't win on rudders, I think he wins on principle - just move the timeline back a bit. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Euro grapes have done very well in California soil. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

ALRIGHT! Who the $^$#@ called Jake fairly balanced? This is ridiculous, I won't stand for it.

Compared to others on the forum.. Jake is a model figure <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Bringing a good bottle of wine to California? Oh...that's Rich! Just bring money, you will find the wine.

The Tiger has made enough changes to keep it competitive in the Formula 18 Class. Not only the rudders, Sail Cuts, moving bridles down a bit. They have changed the layup of the hulls to make them stiffer while keeping them light (relative I know). They have also changed some of the conveniences of the boats. New boat to new boat I think most or all of the Formula 18s are competitive.

I know you did not ask my opinion, as this seems to be an "AskJake" post, I just felt (California speak) it was time to chime in.

Later,
Dan
California Wine Snob (Go Zin!)

from the 2006 NAF18 Championship thru the 2007 NAF 18 Champ
the Nacra F18 Infusion has a pretty good record.
F18 news

Ted Z.

This bet was set up before John moved to the west coast, and the stakes was a bottle of wine. Nobody said that it could not be a californian wine <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> It sure will not be a norwegian wine.
Thanks for the info on Tiger changes. I am sure Jakes job will be easier if as many facts as possible is put on the table. I for sure dont contest that the Tiger is competitive!

It will be interesting to see the verdict from the honorable judge Kohl (thanks for taking the job Jake).

...verdict coming soon.

Judge Kohl is slower than Kahn <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Or is he still hearing Hobie's arguments?

Having owned a Tiger, two pre-Infusion Nacra F-18's, two Infusions, and recently spent 5 days racing the Capricorn at the Alter Cup, I'll chime in with my 2 cents worth.

The Tiger seems to be faster upwind in light choppy conditions however it has the heaviest feeling helm of the bunch.

Pre-Infusion Nacra - Good upwind speed, but lack of bow volume makes it pretty easy to pitchpole in heavy air/big sea conditions.

Infusion - Good upwind speed, large bow volume allows you to push it harder downwind in waves. Very light helm feel, very responsive.

Capricorn - Overall construction quality is best of the bunch. Very balanced upwind. Downwind a little "twitchy" due to the large rudders. You've got to be very gentle driving it fast downwind. Less bow volume than the Infusion makes it more likely to pitchpole. It happens very fast when it goes down.

Overall, you cannot go wrong with any of these boats. There are such minute differences in performance between the platforms, that it still comes down to the sailing skills of the crew to determine the winning boat.

Time has to be up! The Jury or Judge can only deliberate for so long or we may lose interest. I say, "There is still no significant change to the Tiger!"

So...when are we going to see your friendly face in California Rolf? I will help you select John's bottle of wine if you like. Try to make while a regatta is happening. We'll make it a party.

Later,
Dan