Stewart Douglas asked which boat he should buy and all hell broke loose! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Many readers consider this devisive, I do not! There is little reason to own a sail boat unless you feel passionate about, so, I say brag about your boat! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

For me it's the Blade! I encourage everyone to rush right out and buy one!

Let the bickering continue!

If somebody would offer me a brand new F18 in a swap against my 3 year old Taipan F16 then I would not consider taking him up on that UNLESS I was able sell that F18 off tomorrow to buy back a new F16.

Wouter

Me too! The reasons are: the versatility of 1 or 2 up sailing and weight.

The low weight of the Blade, of all F16s,is understated. Specific advantages of low weight which are little appreciated by those of you who don't own F16s are: ease of loading, unloading from the trailer and moving the boat around the beach. All beaches have ruts, dips and gradients! Given equal balance on the dolly, it is much easier to move 240 lbs than it is to move 300-400 lbs.! And before anyone says 60 lbs is no big deal, let me reminder you that this group quibbles over mere ounces!

I love my Blade!! Midget boats rule!!

I'd DEFINATELY be on one if there were any used ones around that were a good price. Any guesses on how much they will be going for after the Alter Cup? Any of them already snatched up?

I seem to remember that there are three F16 on the second hand market right now. 1 Stealth F16 for a very attractive price think US7000, Ricks own Taipan is for sale and another Taipan too I believe.

Of course we has a big round of second hand F16's this last summer with several boats changing hands. That was the time to buy one.

Alter Cup boats ? I don't know, contact Matt McDonald at vectorworks marine for more info on these boats. His contact info (+ phone number) is on http://www.vectorworkssail.com/

Additionally Matt will probably sell of his own boat (demo) again in a halve year or so. So that is an option as well.

If you really want one then a secondhander can be found for you I think.

Wouter

I think Stewart hit the nail on the head. For their locale they decided on the F18. The forum pointed out more specifically a Tiger would be best.

What is being raced locally is the "best" boat choice. Outside of the H16, (a choice virtually anywhere) where we live it's the H20 (and 2-up the only one). It's not "my" choice of boat, too heavy at 420#'s. It's a compromise.

I feel the best boat is the biggest fleet, with the best sailors.

I envy those with a wide range of choice.

What I quite dont understand sometimes is why let the location dictate what kind of boat you purchase? There are zero F16s in my area, and there are zero F16 in anything closer than a couple of hundreds of miles from me. Yet I chose an F16 because it suits MY needs. Obviously the F16 does not suit the needs of the local clubs. I am always racing against I20s, Tornadoes and H20s. I am usually the smallest boat on the course as well. It really doesnt matter to me, what everone else sails. I dont mind racing in open class, because obviously I will try my hardest to sail the boat to the numbers.

So why let the area dictacte what you invest your money into?

Indeed Robi,

I owned the first purpose build F16 in world !

We are not followers, we created our own destiny where it didn't exist before.

A millions times more interesting then following the pack to where-ever it decides to go.


Wouter

The answer (here)? Only Hobie sanctioned regattas. There is a LOT of Hobie racing going on within 500 miles, even significantly more than most mono classes.

Maybe in the future there will be more open fleets at yacht clubs. We've raced a yacht club handicap event, but it seemed like a waste. No tactics, just go like hell. In that venue, there's no significant open class here, no F18's, Tornados, N20's, only Hobies (primarily 18's) and an occasional NACRA. In light of that, I suppose I have another "choice" of boats close to the TheMightyHobie18's number, because I thrive on the occasional duel.

So in my view, for me, the best boat is the biggest, most competitive, racing fleet.

bla bla bla
keep it simple. Big crew and faster growing compititions, F18, small crew or solo sometimes, F16
the rest is just bla bla bla.

Look what I found, another F16 love-fest!

Keep it in your pants boys! :P

LOL, you are just hating. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Obviously this thread is going to be very beneficial...
Only a tool could have started it.

What kind of tool? I'm thinking shovel?

If you can't play nicely children, you're toys will have to be taken away................

Sailing a different class to all those around you keeps your fragile ego pumped up, lots of wiggle room to make excuses as to why you didn't win eg unfair handicap, conditions didn't suit, etc

If you sail the same boats, class racing, when you get beat, it is simply because you were out sailed, no excuse.

If you want to race, join the fleet. If you want to make up the numbers going around the bouys, choose whatever.

Darryn
Mosquito
1704

I'll take one of those "Fad" boats if you find it neccessary to take them away from the children, I'll promise to play nicely with all the other children if you give me one, for Christmas would be nice! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I'm glad you enjoy being the trial blazer and hope you continue to be very happy with your boat.

To answer your question, many (me included) have absolutely no interest in any form of handicap or yardstick racing. My interest in racing is very simple - first across the line wins. I have no interest in beating whatever boat by whatever time because in it's very nature, no handicapping system is perfect and will favor one boat (be it mine or the other class) over another.

I like the formula concept (be it 18/16/whatever) and also OD racing although single manufacturer classes do have both positives and some serious negatives.

Call it following the pack if you like, but beating the other guy who is on as close to the same equipment as practicable is most definately the attraction for many.

Tiger Mike

I just sail to see who I can beat to the line and that includes F18's, F20's, A's. Doing that on a 16 foot platform is alot of fun as the other side has trouble finding excusses for their loss.

Wouter

My F16 is for sale -- but only if you'll be racing...what would you consider a "good price"?

I'll take the proceeds and purchase a new Blade so as to grow the F16 fleet in FL.