We will start sailing F18 this year and are looking for a one or two years old used Capricorn. We would like to now more about what changes/upgrades that have been made from 2005 until now.
Changes/upgrades 2005-2006?
Changes/upgrades 2006-2007?
Are there any other aspects that we should take in consideration when buying a used Capricorn?
Thanks in advance!
Ahlden

The search tool is your friend - been covered many times before. AFAIK the hulls have not changed since public sale (there are 2 prototypes running around in Aus that are slightly different). Since then there has been a continual evolution of beams and sails - much the same as any other F18. Check out www.ahpc.com.au

Buying a Cap is the same as buying a used car - the *most* important thing is to find one that has been looked after and well maintained.

Tiger Mike

Check out the AHPC web site HERE - make sure to click on the "Click here for a preview." They clearly identify the changes they made in the 2006 model. Changes that I have heard are coming for 2007 boats include an easier access pouch on the trampoline, the full-batten jib, the non-furling forestay, possible refinement of the mast rotation limiter, and some other minor convenience stuff. I'm not all that in the know, however, so there could be more substantive things happening that I am simply not aware of. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Happy shopping -

Also new rudders....... We are picking up a set for the Worlds, so I will let you know how they feel compared to the old ones, however Goodall is very excited about them.

Capricorn Developments, 2006 Model.

We have taken on board all the feedback from our customers and dealers, our most important source of feedback. From this, the 2006 model boats have a long list of improvements.

Our production capacity and boat quality is substantially improved with the addition of two new moulds. We are looking forward to seeing 100 plus boats sold by the next Worlds in France. The first 30 hulls for the 2006 model have already been produced.

Hulls

The hulls produced from the new moulds are identical in shape to the current boats. It’s the things that you can’t see that make the difference.

Improved production techniques have resulted in stiffer hulls and more consistent hull weights.

The centreboard cases are stronger top, bottom and sides with a double flange system at the keel line.

Chainplates have been strengthened.

Hatches and hull fittings are now fitted with a sealant to give a far better bond and water proofing than silicon.

Foils

We are working on a new rudder blade design and the next test blade should be ready in a few weeks. When the shape has been finalised and tested we will have the new moulds milled in structural grade metal to give us better production capacity and quality control.

New Beams

The 2006 boats have a new bigger front beam that is torsionally stiffer. The striker post is adjustable so that the striker strap can be easily tensioned.

The front beam is taller and the grade of alloy has been improved.

The rear beam is also a little larger with increased wall thickness. The grade of alloy is also improved.

The increased beam stiffness has made a noticeable increase in the torsional stiffness of the boat.

Plastic beam end caps are now fitted to the beams. These are much kinder to the ropes and shock cords passing through them.

The new front and rear beams can be fitted to existing boats without any modifications.

New fittings

Last season it became evident that some of the fittings on the Capricorn needed to be stronger or better designed. Most of the blocks on the new 2006 model boats will be Holt or Harken. However, there will still be a few Ronstan blocks where they are doing the job.

Changes to the spinnaker system

The spinnaker pole end fitting is now a Delrin plug that takes the pole end bracing ropes and has the spinnaker tack line passing through it as well. This is the same system that Remco a few of the Dutch boats were using at the last Worlds. The cleat for the spinnaker halyard has been moved to the mast. This is now the most commonly used system on the F18’s and Tornado’s. I have been using this new set up on my boat for the past 2 months and it works brilliantly.

Jib Luff Tension

A jib luff tension system that leads back to the main beam is now part of the standard fit out.

Mast Diamond System

Following from the varied conditions at the last Worlds it became obvious that being able to adjust the diamond tension on the water is very advantages. This has been achieved.

Sails

With the number of top sailors now racing the Capricorn the development of better sails will only accelerate.

Mainsail

The most visible change to the mainsail is at the tack of the mainsail. I have removed the section of the sail that crushes onto the boom with maximum luff tension.

The new sail has more power in the light winds and extends the performance band of the rig.

I have recently experimented with softer battens for the top 3 battens. The top battened is also shaped. This proved to be extremely beneficial.

Jib

The 2006 model jib is longer on the leech and shorter on the foot improving the sheeting angle and preventing any leech hook.
The jib is also fractionally flatter in the top half.
These were only small changes but they have definitely made a difference.

Spinnaker

I have done a lot of research and testing over the past 6 months to make my spinnakers more competitive. I have to admit that at this time last year the spinnakers were not at the same performance standard as the rest of the sails.

From testing a variety of spinnakers and some helpful feedback from world-class sailors, I managed to develop a reasonably good spinnaker in time for the last Worlds. Since then I have made further improvements and the latest spinnakers are now very fast. They are easy to sail with and have excellent speed and depth.

The new spinnakers have a new coating that is applied after the sail is constructed. It works extremely well and gives the added benefit that the spinnaker can be printed and then coated.

I am confident that no one will complain about their downwind speed with the new spinnakers.

Our development program is designed to increase your racing enjoyment and assist in delivering the World Championship to a Capricorn sailor.

Greg Goodall
Managing Director
Australian High Performance Catamarans

Hi Steve -

Definitely would like to see a pic of a side-by-side if possible. Never heard specifically what the new shape was intended to provide, so your feedback would be much appreciated. Danke. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sounds like the cap has some serious R&D put into it. Cool!

That diamond tension system would be interesting, especially if it was adaptable to other designs <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I don't know what the Capricorn system is like, but old A class cats (the Unicorn for sure) back in the '60's used to have a diamond wire tension adjuster. It involved a lever down low on the front of the mast, so the tension could easily be adjusted on the water. I saw it most recently on a Unicorn at one of the last Citrusfest regattas at Lake Sanford.

I always thought it was a pretty neat idea, but for some good reason that I can't remember the A class decided not to use it any more.

The Capricorn now has the diamonds run inside the mast towards the bottom and attach to the mast foot. A bolt head is visiable on the underside of the mast base just in front of the mast step. You will need a spanner to adjust.

As for the A Class, some run diamond adjusters like such. Unfortunatly this would be difficult to fit to a boat with a self tacking jib.

Yep, that's what I was talking about (or similar) on the A-Class.

Ahh yes I had seen that setup. Was curious to see what the Caps had though.

So did Nacra come up with that first in the F18 class (this is the system on the infusion) or was it someone else?

Well I had this allready on my Ventilo 18HT build in 1998...
The new Tornado Carbon masts have the same feature also.

Don't forget that it is not permitted to alter the diamond tension on a F18 whilst racing. This would make the A-class system a bit dodgy on an 18