Fly on the Wall at the F16 Global Challenge

Folks,
Today was the invitation race .
It started in a light breese of around 6 knots from the south with an incoming tide.
The incoming tide creates a current of around 2 knots going south the north parrallel to the beach.

So with the first leg working into the current many of the fleet choose to work the
up the beach in shallower water. This in itself was still a bit of a lottery as the
breese was patchy with some stronger corridors further away from the beack.
The first rounding of the windward mark had Hans KloK in the lead with Mark Presdee in second followed by Martine Kooyman & Frans Von Marle, Wouter, Matt Mcdonald and
Marcus Towell.

By the time the boats converged on the gate at the bottom of the downwind
Matt Macdonald had moved up into 3rd followed by Martine & Frans and Marcus.

By the second windward mark rounding Hans had established a huge lead. Was was over a
hundred metres past the clearance mark before the next boat even got to the windward mark.
So hans was being followed some way back by Martine & Frans and then Matt. Matt pulled his spinnaker
early and carried it for the reach across to the clearance mark and while Martine and Frans
pulled their kite Matt pulling his kite first paid with him sqeezing past Martine & Frans
and then openning a lead of around 30 or 40 meteres.

So Matt had managed to climb into second place for the spinnaker run to the bottom mark but
Hans had a very handy lead. Matt had a blinder of a downwind rounding the bottom mark ahead of Hans.

The breese was building and the third rounding of the windward mark had Matt then Hans then Martine.

As the breese built it got uo to 13 knors.

Bt the end of the fourth work we had Hans back in the lead followed by Martine and Frans then Marcus.

Now we have the final downwind run for the finish and Martine with Frans were pulling out all stops and
burried the bows up to the front beam several times under spinnaker and still recvering. I've attached a pic.
With the breese having shifted towards the east it was becoming increasingly dificult to cary
the kite and while everyone tried, sooner or later it had to be put away with some very quick
reaches to the line.

From what I could make out the finish order was Hans, Martine with Frans on the pointy end, then Marcus.


Every one seems to be happy , friendly and having a really fun time. No doubt the stress levels will rise and the real commpetition begins.
So far I've taken around 240 pics over 2 days. Some of these have been uploaded onto the F16 web site.

2007 F16 Global Challenge

Check out the web site or some more pics.

Phill, thanks for the update and the pictures, hard to believe those guys saved it when they put the spinnaker pole tip under! Was Matt sailing alone? Have a great time, I wish I were there but you keeping us posted is the next best thing!

I think Matt met up with a crew. I take it the whole regatta is on elapsed time, there is no correction between solo and uni?
Maybe I'll start an argument but IMO the boat sails better 2-up <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
=

They had 2 deep dives within 60 seconds. I think they are still recovering from the first dive.

Still, this crew had the boat for only for 4 months and according to their own comments sailed it less then 15 hours in total. I think their speed around the course was excellent considering how new they are to the boat. Despite the "rough egdes" like these dives.

Excellent sailing Martien and Frans !

Wouter

good job phill great photos. so I will be the first to ask where are the vipers? and are there any results we can view? hope all are having great time and good luck to all competitors i wish i was there.

That is one big face plant!!! There doesn't appear to be very much breeze though?

Greg Goodall indicated in an email received today that they were a bit late getting the Viper there and hoped to be competing by Wednesday.

His email was in response to a query I sent AHPC a while back about the weight issue. He indicated that they had decided to trade off the weight for increased stiffness in the beams and bouyancy in the hulls, which he believes will be the biggest F16 hulls being built. Achieving these objectives at lower weight would have required more carbon and a higher price. He believes the big advantage of the Viper will be how hard it can be pushed in strong winds.

Mark.

Interesting...

Story of the Vipers is as MarkMT says. A real pitty.

The pics are of the invitational race and none of us were very serious about it. I guess working out the results is in the same spirit. For example Matt choose not to finish when he was sailing 1st or 2nd when he quit. Apparently he considers it bad luck to finish the practice race.

Wind were very light during the first halve of the race and about force 4 (13 knots) in the second halve. Water was flat and not many boats did nose dives or capsizes. I guess being new to the boat is showing a little in their 3 nose dives, they recovered from all however and they were DEEP !

Wouter

is there a published list of entries anywere ?

http://www.f16worlds.zandvoortonline.com/entry%20list.htm

I'm hoping to come down to the beach sometime this week and have a look at how you guys are doing.
(If anyone is interested in shooting some video while racing, I've just bought a DigitalHero3 and am itching to try it out <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ).

But that is waaaay out of date.

Any results from day 1 ?

The results from day 1 are on the event website. It was a rough day sailing with waves around 2.5 mtr high and a wind South-south west around 9 to 10 mtr per sec with gusts into 12 to 13 m/s per second. There where some guys trying to fly the kite but it was difficult with the waves coming from the side and a view of them did a test on there lifejackets if it still good to where and floats.
Also foto's available on the WVZ site at www.wvzandvoort.nl

looks intense!!!!
I want to know results!

Found it:
http://www.f16worlds.zandvoortonline.com/Uitslagen%2013%20aug.pdf

what happened to the last boats with the dnfs?

Hi all,

gee it looks pretty rough <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />. Can anybody tell me what the windspeeds are in Knots this is generaly the measure used in OZ so I can compare it. Launching is allways tuff one up in the conditions shown in photo's.

Must say looks like sloop rig conditions to me, the two ups had better pull their fingers out as the one ups are doing well and will only get better from my experience in lighter winds and flatter water.

Well done to Marcus on the Formula Catamarans Australia Blade, he has only sailed one for a couple of hours on flat water previously. A massive learning curve going on, mind you he is a bog boy <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />, so will be enjoying the conditions <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />. Obviously Haans is not a little guy either, practice and local knowledge are hard to beat.

Wish I was there <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />. Didn't realize it would be so hard to not be involved, keep the info coming <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

10m/s is 19.438445 kts

12m/s is 23.326134 kts

which is top 5 to bottom 6.

I use this website as it does most conversions: http://hemsidor.torget.se/users/b/bohjohan/convert/conv2_e.htm



Any data from the measuremnt sessions ?

Tomorrows the conditions will be very rough (25kts) so probably no racing then.
http://windguru.com/int/index.php?sc=19439

Thanks for the info on widspeeds, 25 kts. is a handful but most times we still race it in OZ. That is if the beach break is not too bad <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. Guess that is a major factor at Zandvoort <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />. in decision to race.

Good luck all, remember that having fun is the point of being there <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. Not breaking boats <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. Could be good for Greg on Viper he may not miss so many races. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Google is also very handy for unit conversions. Just type in the conversion you want in natural language - meters per second in knots

According to Greg Goodall, the boats measured in at 110 to 125kg, with an average of 118. The newest boats were the lightest.

Can someone get the list up.

Interesting that NO boats were down to weight. Looks like the builders still have some work to do.

That's awesome, it means I'm not too far over weight with my boat!

Details please. I'm dyin' here. - G

Gina,
Yesterday was a Tuff Day at the Office for the guys sailing.

Race 1
Monday 2 pm start.

The forecast for the first day of official racing was a breese of 14 knots out of the south.
The conditions looked promising as the crews arrived to prepare their boats. The forecasted
14 knot southerly arrived early and continued to build slowly.

By the time the first race got underway we had a good 17 to 18 knots with an element of west in the southerly
breese causing the seas to rise with waves or around a 1 metere with quite short distance between the peaks.
As racing got underway the sea conditions was becaming increasingly rough.

At the first start Frank Boon and Paul Warren broke early and had to go back and restart.

The first to the windward mark was Hans followed by Matt & Bart , Marcus and then Geert & Karin, Gil & Kathlene, MarkP and John & Paul Alani.
The sea condition was continuing to deteriorate and on the downwind Matt Macdonald flipped as did Wouter
and Martien & Frank.

In Matt's case the crew (Bart) must have gone into the main as the bolt rope had pulled out of the mast and Matt
had to retire going back to the beach to ready the boat for the next race.

Following his false start Frank Boon & Hester were having a blinder moving up into 3rd place before the end on the
first downwind.
By the time they converged on the top mark for a second time Frank & Hester had worked past Marcus and was now in second place behind Hans.
As they past the clearance mark Marcus pulls his kite first but the teamwork of Frank and Ester's showed
as they had the kite set and drawing first.

Frank's and Hester's hard work of climbing through the fleet (following their false start) was dashed when they flipped and had to retire.

By the bottom mark Marcus had worked his way past Hans and moved into the lead.


Going up the second work Marcus managed to get his mainsheet under his rudder and C/B so at the top mark
for the second time Hans had regained the lead from Marcus with Geert & Karin followed by Gil & Kathlene.
Positions were held on the downwindwith Hans, Marcus, Geert & Karin, Gil then John & Paul Alani.

At the top end of the course Hans rounded followed by Marcus who capsises on the reach out to the clearance mark.

The finisshing order was Hans, John & Paul, Geert & Karin, Marcus, Gill & Kathlene, Paul & Anne. Sorry but I'm not sure about the rest of the fleet. [img]http://[/img]

Race 2
Monday started around 3.15 pm.

By the start of the second race the sea had 1.5 to 2 metre waves quite close together and looking like
mighty hard work.
Even so only one boat elected not to start the second race.
Once again it was Hans first to the top mark followed by Geert and Marcus with Matt's capsizing practice
paying with him managing to get another one in (on the work) and still being 4th at the top mark followed by Gil & Kathlene and then the team of John & Paul Alani.

Going up the second work Hans is still in the lead with Geert & Karin and Matt & Bart engaged in a battle so close that you could just about step from one boat to the other all the way up the work with Marcus 3 or 4 boat lengths
behind.

By this stage of the racing every now and then we were getting really large waves of 2 to 2.5 metres going
through the fleet.

On the next downwind Geert is washed off his boat probably by one of the monster waves and picked up by Mark Presdee. The rubber ducky boat I was in had to help out to get Geert back to his boat because you couldn't bring two cats close toghether in those seas.

While doing this positions were changing on the course and by the rounding of the top mark for the last
time John and Paul had moved into second ahead of Marcus, then Paul & Anne and Matt &Bart and that is how they finished.

Thanks Phill for that information. How are the races going today? Did they even get a race off? - G

Yikes! Lord, I wish I be there just to watch.

Thanks Phil.

That's not quite true. At least one boat was carrying a few kg of lead in order to make weight.

Paul

A brief note on Monday's racing.

The winds recorded by the local coast guard (located next to the Zandvoort sailing club) was
force 5 with gusts to force 7.
May calc is 20 knots gusting to 35 knots.

All competitors were urged to tie their boats down before they left the office as the sea state was quite large for the wind strength and direction indicating much stronger wind was pushing up the seas on its approach.

Martien and Frank still trying to sail under the water.


Same Guys but different days.

Following the racing Greg Goodall provided a 2.5 hour lecture on race preperation and race srategy.

Considering the conditions it was good to see no injuries with the only loss a shreaded spinnaker of Martien and Frans. [image][/image]

Gina,
Good breese, flatter seas and Matt is smokin' upwind
all he has to do is stay upright.



I'll get a report together on todays racing later tonight.

No pics for today as I was just shooting video.

You wouldn't believe it but today Martien & Frank went one better and actually flipped while trying to submarine.
Got it all on video.

Have to go now.
Should be another 60 or so pics of Mondays racing going up on the f16 web site in a few minutes.

Bye.

Phil, thanks for the coverage; it's great. Given the conditions, looks like Mark P has probably swallowed more sea water than beer to date... hard to believe mind... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Again, Phill, excellent coverage. I look forward to reading/seeing more.
- G

Mark is hot when its not blowin' dogs off chains.

Thanks to Wouter the pics are now up.
We are late for the barbque so must run.

F16 Global Challenge Pics.

We're even later for the BBQ, but I figured you'd like to see some action from today's racing. 1st race, 1st mark, 1st place, overstood a little and...

http://www.formula16.org/videos/zandvoort1.mov

(7MB file, you'll probably have to wait for it all to download before you can view it)

Paul

Excellent. Good to see that someone is down to weight. Which boat was it ?

Downloaded very quickly !


And..... Opps....

Currently the Day 2 results on the website point to day 1:

http://www.f16worlds.zandvoortonline.com/results.htm

Edit: If someone can write something up they are happy to go onto the Y+Y website I'll see what I can do. However the Fastnet is getting all the headlines at the moment...

Okay fellas, tell Matt to write me or Skype me. I gotta hear it from him now. Thx. - G

Hi phill i have emailed you and have not received a reply
whats happening ??
Regards Richard

Hey Phill,

so Day 2 looks like it had some major action. I am guessing wind picked up as the day went on, what happened to marcus etc.

Have you seen the Viper yet, is it realy bigger than the Blade?

Appreciate your efforts in photo's and communication, it will keep me going until Sat. when I can get out on my Blade <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Hope we are not being to demanding. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Wind and waves picked up steadily throughout the day, but the waves never reached Monday's levels. No sailing today as the forecast strong winds have kicked in and the surf looks mean.

Here's a link to the earlier video in WMV format - apparently some people had trouble with the other link:

http://www.formula16.org/videos/zandvoort1.wmv

Paul

Any results from the first 2 days ? Can only find one race on the website !

The link to the day 2 results has both days. Scroll down for races 3-5.

http://www.f16worlds.zandvoortonline.com/results.htm

Hey Paul & Anne

That is such a cool video, definately should be posted on YouTube. Have a good time and say hello to all the Brits for me. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Scooby I'm surprised your boat and Marks Stealth are not down around the lower levels on weight, my older Stealth No 506 is definately on the limits if not under in single handed mode <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

That is why I'm interested in what the measurment numbers come out at.

Mine (and Mark's) should be close to 104; Mine should be slightly lighter than Mark's because of the carbon beams; but I've been fecking around with it and so not by much.

I also assume that Hans's boat will be down to 104 as it's got a carbon mast.



I'd just really like to know what the numbers are from Zandvoort.

Gary,
No Viper yet.

Tuesday


I arrived at the beach after the committee boats had left the beach to set the course
to find John and Paul with their front beam off the boat. Paul had decided to tighten up the
platform following the rough conditions of the previous days and stripped one of the beam bolts.
Peit Saarberg had run off to get a hellicoil to get the boat back on the water. As soon as he arrive back
John , Paul, Greg and Piet all worked together to ready the boat to try and make the first start.
But it was not to be, in their haste to get through the surf they
flipped and just couldn't get there in time.

Race 3 started at 11:15 am.
So race 3 started without them in a southly breese of around 12 knots.
Unlike yesterday this breese lacked the westerly component that really picks up the seas.

Wouter port satrted and crossed the whole fleet.
Matt & Bart were smokin' upwind and made it to the top mark in time to do a 360 and still stay in the lead.
Approaching the top mark while in second Paul & Anne went for a big nose dive over the bows.
Their acrobatics handed second place to Gill and Kathlene followed by Martien & Frank then Hans, Marcus and Wouter.


Wouter was taken out of the picture flipping on the downwind while Geert & Karin made it past Martien and Frank,
On the 3rd loop Hans got caught of the anchor line to the clearance mark and almost capsizes and
took quite some time to get free allowing Marcus, Paul& Anne and Martien & Frank past.

The finishing order was Matt & Bart, Gill & Kathlene, Marcus, Paul & Anne, Martien & Frank then Hans.


Race 4
The boats get away to a clean start over the line and work their way towards the shore and straight
away Hans establishes a lead followed by Matt & Bart then Marcus and the remainder of the fleet
is grouped close behind. Marcus failed to finish the race after tearing his spinnaker when the
spinnaker sheet got caught under the boat. He retired to the beach with his racing finished for the day.

During the course of the race Martien and Frank dropped their mast when the shackle holding the side stay
came undone.
By now the off shore breese very rapidly turned them into a dot on the horizon. The coast guard took
off after them and I went with Frank Boon to the Coast Guard headquarters to find out if both crew and skipper
were onboard and OK.
So all I can give is the top few boats at the finish which were Matt & Hans, Gill and Kathlene,John and Paul
then Paul and Anne.


Race 5
By now the breese had risen a knot ot two and the seas were begining to rise a little. Still the race got underway
At the first rounding of the windward we had Hans, Gill and Kathlene, Matt and Bart,Paul and Anne all
converging on the mark.
Hans was the first one around followed by Matt & Bart, Gill & Kathlene then Paul and Anne.
THings seemed a little hectic on the boat of Paul and Anne, first with one of them being taken off the boat
but still attached via the trap and then trying to make up for lost time they stick it in big time flipping
over the bows so hard they stuck their mast into the sand and this made righting rather difficult.

Just after the clearance mark was rounded Matt & Bart flipped but they still managed to get the boat to
finish in 3rd place.

The finishing order of the 5th race was Gil & Kathlene, Hans, Matt & Bart, John & Paul then Mark.

For those who believe that post by sailwave about Mark drinking more sea water than bear.
I can assure you that Mark is doing his best to keep a balance. To that end, the first thing Mark did
when he hit the beach was to go off to find a liquid lunch.

The Bar-B-Que that followed later that evening was great.
You were given 8 plastic chips and a wrist band. The wrist band was for the food and the chips for drinks.
The food was great and as people left they would give their unused chips away.
Towards the end of the night we had a table with myself,Geert, Marcus, Paul, Anne, Gill, Kathlene, Matt, Bart,
John, & PaUL and Mark and all the remaining chips from everyone else that attended the function on the table
and were doing our utmost to work our way through them. Several of us jumped up to drinking spirits like Rum
and JD to aid the cause of working our way through the chips. Alass around midnight still with a pile of chips
in front of us they through us out.

It was great to sit around and talk and drink and talk and drink- in fact if they hadn't wanted to close and
the chips held out we'd probably still be there.

No sailing today- the wind has blown the dog off the chain and is now trying to blow the chain away and the seas
are huge.

Wednesday

The forecast for the day - force 5 to force 7 from the west.
Which meant strong wind, big seas, and no sailing.

At least no sailing on the wet stuff.

Some people used the time to tinker a little more with their boats.
Some went into Amsterdam and others, thanks to Wouter, had a go at land sailing.

Here is a pic of Paul Alani trying to run down a fool with a camera.

http://www.zvnoordwijk.nl/wedstrijd/weer/Current_Vantage_Pro.html

This is the actual weather situation at Noordwijk (close to Zandvoort). 23 knots of wind at 9.41 in the morning. You can guess the rest.
<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Isn't it time now to lift the well kept secrets in boat tuning and things the crews tinkered with before and at this event?
Close up photos from the different boats would be nice to see.

If you'd come to the (close to you) event, you'd be able to see the boats for yourself.......... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Close to me is relative with the distance of 500km. Nothing i can do in the lunch time. But I guess this topic is of interest to others, someone has to ask first...

Still blowin' like stink and so its landyachting.

Mark showed us just how its done.

Looks like fun. Hope you don't wear out Wouters tyres !

One year when we had the Hurricane 5.9 euro's at Texel (Paal 15 just down the beach from Texel beach) it blew all week.

The Nacra and Prindle Euro's were at the Texel beach and they too were not racing. We ended up racing pedal cars around Texel as we needed some racing. It get vicious !


Fingers crossed you get out tomorrow.

I'd really like to hear from Hans. How is he managing so well?

Maybe he's a good sailor ?

If it's as lumpy as it sounds, maybe a bit of local knowledge / sanitization to the conditions have also helped. If you sail in conditions day in / day out then they don't feel abnormal.

Ya' think?

On a side note while we are waiting for the seas to moderate:-
Some background on the Matt and Bart team.

Matt came to the event without a crew and Wouter lined up a fellow Delft Uni colleague to sail the week with MAtt.
Bart had just finished the dart 18 nationals and with many years of Dart 18 experience
jumped at a chance to sail an F16.

According to Bart, by comparison, the speed of the F16 is awesome. Sailing with Matt has also added to the
excitment with 5 capsizes in two days of racing.
The first capsize was when going around the clearance mark in the first race. Too much pressure in the sails
and the boat went over sideways. Matt went out the back and Bart ended up on the main pulling the bolt rope from
the mast causing a retirement.

In the second race they capsized up wind during the execution of a roll tack.
The newly formed team's timimg was a bit out and they were hit by a huge wave that sent them over.
They righted the boat quite quickly and rounded the top mark in 3rd place.
The same race on the second downwind, with the kite up, they went into the back of a wave and went over the bows.

On the third race they managed to get their capsize in whie practicing before the race.
I suposed given their form as a team to date it would pay to practice capsizing. The practice was not
needed in this race as they got through unscave to be first over the line in race 3.

The fourth race was uneventful apart from their win.

In the fifth race downwind they managed another flip. Bart has never used a kite on a
cat before, and especially given the conditions , this really is a batsism by fire for him.

Despite the flip they managed to take 3rd in the fifth race.

The conditions are rough, they are pushing it to the limit and hencefore they are doing more than their
fair share of swimming but it is paying off as they are sitting in second place.

Even without taking to the water Matt is still practising his capsizes.


The breese seems to have eased a bit and if the seas moderate we may get some more sailing in today.

So who won ?

Matt practices a capsize drill while landyachting - note that he's in the water!!!!

Do I understand correctly that the Viper comes in at around 130kg plus ????

Has there been any discussions on where the next global challenge will be? looks like there was not much racing in the last couple of days. any more photos of the boats that are there?

Hi all,

Just a quick note to let you know that following the disappointment of the last few days, today is a bright sunny day with a pleasant, if unexciting, 10knots from the South. Today is the NAM-REM distance race (around 70kms) with 60+ cats of all types expected. Most of the F16 entries from the last week are going to take part including the debut of Greg on the Viper.

Phill is finally going to get on the water too, as crew on a local Blade.

More later.....

Finally some normal winds, we're hoping to catch up on the sailing that we missed out on during the last couple of days !

Wish us luck !

Wouter

This link shows "total preliminary results". When will final results be published ?

Hi all at the Global Challenge,

Sorry to hear the weather didn't cooperate. With the sailing that was done, any feedback on where each type of F16 or set up seemed to excel?

Several of us did the REM-NAM long distance race today, to make up for some lost sailing this week.

This long distance races covers 55 km when measured in a straight line. 68 boat entered this distance race and from memory the F16's finished on handicap as (Note this is TEXEL handicap numbers, were the F16's are rating as FAST).





4th Marcus Towell (Aussie Blade F16 solo)
6th Hans Klok (VWM blade F16 solo)
9th Gill de Bruyne/Kathleen van den Bulcke (VWM Blade F16)
11th Greg Goodall / Frank van Marle (Viper F16)
13th Frank Boom / Phil Brander (VWM Blade F16)
15th Paul Warren / Ann Powter (VWM Blade F16)
20th Wouter Hijink (Taipan F16 solo)
21rd Matt McDonald / Bart Hoek (VWM Blade F16) (broke spi pole)
32nd John Alani / Paul Alani (Stealth F16)

DNF Geert Ruesink / Karin Weeda (VWM Blade F16) (Due to bridle strut coming undone)

I may be wrong about the 21th and 32nd spot will check as soon as I can.

In the picture Marcus is the second boat from the left. Matt and Bart are as slightly to windward of Marcus but outside of the frame of the picture. Matt and Bart also had an excellent start. 5th boat from the left is Gill/Kathleen who saled an brilliant race as well.

For more pictures go to : http://www.wvz.vuurwerk.nl/fotonam2007.html

And check back in a few days as well. More and more pics will be placed on this page over the coming days.

I think the F16 fleet has placed herself on the map with these results. To bad about Matt and Bart though they were fighting the lead of the fleet together with Marcus and the top 3 finishers when their pole snapped. A spi pole tip support line broke loose of the hull and broke their spi pole at the beginning of a 25 km spinnaker leg. They still finished very well considering they had fight of the spi boat as a pure sloop !

Marcus did an excellent job on the Aussie Blade and got kudo's of the other line honours crews for being so fast on a 16 foot boat. The other line honours boat were the Volvo Extreme 20, a bruce foiling F20 (White F20) and a Hobie Tiger F18.

Wouter

The official score is as follows :

4th Marcus Towell (Aussie Blade F16 solo)
6th Hans Klok (VWM blade F16 solo)
9th Gill de Bruyne/Kathleen van den Bulcke (VWM Blade F16)
10th Greg Goodall / Frank van Marle (Viper F16)
13th Frank Boom / Phil Brander (VWM Blade F16)
15th Paul Warren / Ann Powter (VWM Blade F16)
20th Wouter Hijink (Taipan F16 solo)
27th John Alani / Paul Alani (Stealth F16)
28th Matt McDonald / Bart Hoek (VWM Blade F16) (broke spi pole)

and 67 boats in total

Wouter

I have been without an internet connection for the last week and have spent quite some time digesting this thread. Thanks to Phill and the others who have kept us informed about the Zandvoort event.

Wasn't there supposed to be an AGM at Zandvoort? Anything to report from that? Or was the AGM held during the BBQ <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The F16 AGM 2007 will have a set of minutes and a report published shortly on the F16 website. Some work needs to be done first by our webmaster, Paul Warren, but once done the details will be available to all F16 Class members.

I am however able to confirm that a very full and useful meeting took place. The Executive Committee of the F16 Governing Council, following a vote at the meeting, are:

Hans Klok, Chairman
John Alani, Secretary
Phill Brander, Treasurer

Rolf,
The sun is setting on 10 fun filled days at Zandvoort.
I leave in the morning.



I can assure you that nothing got in the way of the real reason for the gathering.

I met a great bunch of people , had a great time and even went for a sail.
I will put up another couple of posts regarding suggestions to improve future events.

Folks,
In future I'd steer clear of drinking games with Anne.
Unless of course, the following day is a lay day.

The photo is of Kathlene.

Can anyone tell me who finally won the F16 World 8 Ball Championship.
Next time we should do this before Anne's drinking games.

You can't stare the surf down.

Folks,
We got 6 good races in including the invitation race.
We also managed to get some land sailing in.
Any chance of getting some landsailors for the lay days of the next event?
BTW:- the photo is of Paul W.

First Place was Hans.

Second place was Matt and Bart.


3rd Place was Gill and Kathleen

A group shot of the competitors.

Left to right Back row:-
Paul, Anne, Frank, Geert, Bart, Marcus, Hans, Paul, John and Gerben(Starter)
Front row:- Mark, Hester, Wouter, Matt, Kathleen,Gill, Matien, Frank, Karin.

Phill Give us a call when you are home
Regards Richard

Just checked some of the pictures posted and good to see you survived without getting your photo taken HA HA

Not quite !



Wouter

Damn Phill, did I give you authorisation to post that picture??! ;-) Well, that was certainely a very fun night out in town! Unfortunately the next day was not a lay day.

New here on this forum but would just like to say it was a great event with even greater people there. I hope I'll see you all again soon. And if anyone is up for some free beer: our club is very proud of our results (and so are we) and will give a free barrel this friday... in Belgium.

Kathleen

Hey Kathleen, welcome!

See if you can remember the drinking games and then get everyone at your club in the same condition as the rest of us (and especially you <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />) that evening!

Many congrats to Gil and you, really well sailed. It was great to meet you both, and Paul and I look forward to racing you again (if only to redress the balance!!)

BTW, I think that next time I have to get the Port/Starboard pass down to just a couple of millimetres?? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi all,
Have also decided to post rather than just read...
Just to clarify that the drinking games were not my fault!
And please to request that you all spell my name correctly (no "e" ).

And to echo what Kathleen has said here, and Paul has said on the other thread: I had a fantastic week, great to meet everyone and I enjoyed swimming in the North Sea very much!

Ann

I don't think you're being very fair to yourself Ann, I suspect that you are rather more than 'ballast' !!!

Very true - crews are also good for stopping the waves from hitting the helm and for providing padding on the shroud when you stuff the bows <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Paul

Sounds like you all had a ball.

Real shame I could not make it.

I've just put Phill on his plane to Norway (to visit Rolf) and I think that concludes the event beyond a shred of doubt. He was the last visitor remaining. At this time of writing he should have landed in Norway.

I happy that I missed Ann's drinking games as doing a 3 hour 24 min distance singlehandedly in the rough conditions the next morning would then have proven to be beyond my capabililties.

I too, feel honoured to have met everybody. Hans did indeed organise an excellent event, with a good relaxed evening program. If he could have "bought" perfect weather then he would have, I'm sure. The NAM-REM distance race was an excellent opportunity to show of the F16's and the rumour cirquit has it that we made an impression. Thanks to everybody to have stayed on to do this distance race !

Later I'll upload some more pictures to the F16 website.

But my head is already occupied with the next international f16 event and I'm looking forward to setting up shop in another nation next time.

To all who weren't here, you guys missed something.

Wouter

... or for retrieving the skippers hat after a capsize !


But seriously, I'm very impressed with the ladies. These were not easy conditions and they handled it like it is something they do everyday. So Kathleen, Ann, Hester and Karin, a big "two thumbs-up" to you !

Wouter

Sadly missing in the group picture are :

Greg Goodall as well as Jaap and Thijs Haasnoot.

Wouter

Had a bit of bad luck so I had to retract from the event. Wouldn't be surprised if we participate next year with Thijs steering and me as ballast. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Hans and his Zandvoort-gang did indeed an excellent job. I therefore appreciate the kindness of the participants to let him win the event.

Must have been great for Phill to see his design doing so well in heavy weather. I hope others have noticed also, especially the F18 sailors who still are ploughing the beach with 180 kg of equipment.

hi

You all seem to have a good time.

Does anyboby have any gps.gpx tracks they can post to see what the rest of us need to aim for.



bye

We started the week feeling like this

Did a little of this

A lot of this

And by the end of the week looked and felt like this

Thanks for that Mark!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

LOL.

Nice one Mark !

I though you were not going to post anymore after visiting the pub <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I reckon we should be thankfull that was all mark has published......you should see what my video camera footage had when I got it back after the Nam-rem race.!!!!

Hi is it possible to post some photos of the viper i think its unfair that only the persons that were at the global challenge are the only ones that have seen it. posting photos would generate more interest and help build the class.

Hi All,

as one of those that stayed home I think it is only now that I really know how much I missed, even though sailing wasn't possible some days <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />. I wish I had been there.

Congratulations to all that remained commited enough to get there, well done. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It should harden the resolve of all that didn't make it to get there next time, where ever it may be. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I looked but I haven't got any pics of the Viper F16. I guess the others just need to go through their collection and find a few of these. The hard part of course is the fact that the Viper only showed up later in the week after the transport damaged was repaired. This boat was very unlucky, the labourers at the shipping company really tried to destroy this boat and almost succeeded.

I think a picture of the Viper on the scales was already posted on this forum somewhere.

Wouter

Photos aside, any general impressions to share? What kind of damage was suffered?

Yes it's strange that there were absolutely no pics of the Viper posted. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Nothing strange about it. The Viper only showed up on the last day (Friday). Greg spent some time getting it measured and rigged and then it was put away for the night and finally sailed the NAM-REM race on Saturday. As Phill was the 'man with the camera' and he sailed on Saturday rather than take photos, there weren't any taken of the Viper sailing......

Here are some picks. It's a nice looking Cat and should really motor

Tramp layout. Note the Capricorn beams

Interestingly enough we got ample photo's of F16's sailing the NAM-REM race made by other photographers then Phill or Mark but none of them are showing the AHPC Viper. I think we must just tally this up to the Vipers streak of bad luck.

Wouter

Here's one of the transomes. Eventually I will learn how to paste the photo's directly into the text!!

you mean like this ?









Wouter

For all those wanting, hereby another pic of the Viper.

It's a pity for Greg that the boat wasn't ready to sail the Global Challenge and for all the problems all along.

Regards,
Gill

Well Mark,

Apparently I also have some troubles making the attachement appear in the post ....

Problem with pasting big photos into the text is that is very difficult to read other posts....

Gill

It's not too difficult....

1, Click the attachemnt so you can get the url to the image (.jpg)
2, Copy this url (in this case http://www.catsailor.com/bb_files/116421-Vipertransome.jpg )
3, Click the UBB code box below for "image"
4, Paste the URL in and bingo.

You are aiming for this(remove the xxx)

[imagexxx]http://www.catsailor.com/bb_files/116421-Vipertransome.jpg[/imagexxx]

And that is why I quickly resized Mark's photo while you were typing up your posting Gill !

It was indeed a bit too large to be included in-line.

Wouter

There is an XP power toy to make re-sizing easy.

It's here

Thanks for the help guys, I'll try to make it work next time...

With the AHPC Viper measured (F16 compliant) and raced I think we may add another Formula 16 design to the listing. Currently we have (Alfabetical order) :


Australian High Performance Catamarans (AHPC) Viper F16
Australian High Performance Catamarans (AHPC) Taipan F16
Formula Catamarans (Aussie) Blade F16
Stealthmarine Stealth F16
Vectorworks Marine (VWM) Blade F16

G-cat F16
Dynautic Blade F16

Only one missing now is Bimare.

Who would have thought this would come about when we started this project in spring 2001 ? I know that I hoped for it, but that is not the same as expected it.

Wouter

The Gcat project is no longer being produced or built.

Neither is the Dynautic Blade F16 according to their own website, it will be replaced by a design named the Catch F16.

Nevertheless, these designs do exist and have raced. As such they are just as deserving of being mentioned as the other types.

Wouter

Thanks for posting photos i can now send the link to guy here in Adelaide who wants one thanks again.

In my frustration with the lack of Viper information filtering through, I decided to see what I could find out about the newest F16 on the block.

And this is what I found.

http://www.tcdesign.co.nz/bt_viper.htm

Mast head kite....now that would be interesting in 15-20 knots... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Looks a bit heavy also <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Hi Tony,

amazing thing the internet. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> So now we have more than one 5m Viper catamaran design, amazing how many of the dimensions are same, without racks, when from the looks of things it was designed pre F16. Hope this doesn't cause problems for Greg.

Great to see the AHPC Viper at last, certainly has distinctive shaped transoms, hope Greg brings one to OZ for us to race against. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Hi Wouter,

not wanting to be a smart a#$, but on the Zandvoort Long Distance Race thread you said about the Viper,

"No measurement certificate of the F16 class, so the race committee put him at the F18 handicap."

So which is it? and if it was measured what did it weigh? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Not that Wouter needs me to answer for him....

I took that as the boat was not there at the beginning of the week when the measurer's were doing their bit, hence that particular Viper did not carry a specific "certificate of measurement by the F16 Class". So the RC gave them a penalty of sorts for that particular race.

I did not take it as it was measured and did not measure in to F16 class rules.

Maybe I am stating the obvious.

The boat was measured friday morning, the last day of the Global Challenge. At that moment it was not found to be "uncompliant", however I don't think that a formal measurement certificate was issued. But I may be wrong there. We must remember that the measuring at the Global Challenge was not an official measuring but rather a check whether the boat was still in compliance with its measurement form that was created earlier. All crew were basically required to have their boats fully measured before the event and in a controlled environment. The beach side measuring only checked a few key measurements and as such was not exhaustive.

Either way the Texel rating system has no rating listed for the "AHPC Viper", and that is how Greg entered the distance race on the next day (saterday). The race committee apparently decided to allow the Viper to the race with a handicap set at 101. I know no further details about this situation.

As you can see, some measurements have been done, written on the sails. Although Gill doesn't seem to agree on this <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />




And another one, there ARE some differences.



Geert

Humm, Geert,

What do you make of the luff measurement ?

Wouter

Probably there are no tracks from this F16 event. By the time we were ready for it there was no sailing anymore.
But there should be some tracks from the REM race, will post it as soon as I have them.

Geert

I would say the rating given was a mistake as Greg's boat was measured & scrutinized exactly the same as every other F16 at the event.

Technically speaking each F16 could have its own Texel rating if measured independently as the boats weights varied from the lightest boat of 105kg to the heaviest at 137kg.

Wouter,

It looks like 8.108m.

What is the max luff length.?

Which boat was 137? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Has someone posted the "weigh in" results? I'd love to see them.

Here's a clue: A pair of Stealth Centreboards weighed 3.4kgs. New VWM Blade (Hans) 3.6kgs. Auz Blade 4.2kgs and the Vipers were a little over 8kgs. Realistically a good weight for Cb's is around 2kg especially given the conditions at Zandvoort.
Attached is a photo of the Auz Blades boards and rudders

Actually the lightest boat was 99 kg but carried a block of lead to make it compliant.

Wouter

8.100 mtr, so it looks like somebody has to recut their mainsail !

Wouter

Which one was that ?

When will the measurent results be published?

Yes but there must be some personal fulfillment for you to withhold the details. Why don’t you just kill the chase and tell us what you know (or presume to know)?. Thanks..<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

What he said !

Hi Geert,

Let me know when you publish the tracks.

Regards,
Gill

Bucanneer,

Its not Wouters responsibility to post this info, it would be the international body's responsibility.

FYI - My understanding was that NED111 was 105.8kgs, most of the 2 up Vectorworks boats were 110-112kgs & My boat was 111.7kgs & there were the odd F16 that were 120, 132 & 137kgs. But then again thats what i presum to know. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

The difference in performance between these boats really only depended on rig tuning & obviously the sailors hanging onto the strings & tiller.

If you guys are so intent on finding out the boat & skipper weights then pester the GC not individuals.

Thanks for the info Marcus. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Yes it would be interesting to see some actual numbers. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Whilst participating in the practice race there were 5 Cat rigged boats. The weight difference between their helms ranged from just under 70kgs(154lbs) to just over 110kgs(242lbs). So the actual weights of the each boat varied quite considerably but the pecking order basically remained.

Just got home this morning.
Following the F16GC I went to Norway and spent a few days with Rolf and his family.
Plenty of opportunity to talk boat building and check out the spectacular scenery.
Thanks Rolf, I had a great time.

When it comes to having a great time at a sailing event it is easy when the weather co-operates.
The fact that the weather did not play ball for some of the event and we still had such a great time is
testiment to both the organisers and the really friendly group of competitors.
Without question I found all of them just great to be around.
The fact this event was so good when the weather was not demonstrates to me that this class, as it stands, has a huge future.
I can't wait until next year.

"Fly on the Wall" Signing off.

Hi Phill,

tx for your reports on the GC and some exellent pictures. Had a good time on the Nam Race as well.

I really enjoyed being part of the GC, had a great time and I am looking forward to the next international F16 event.

Besides all the competitors who took the effort to come to Holland and made this event a succes, I do like to say that without Hans and all the other people involved this would not have been possible.

Thank you all !!

Regards,
Frank

Yes maybe better to put the light weight helms with the heavy weight boats and the heavy weight helms with the light weight boats. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Still trying to get some facts. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

We must all be very careful when interpreting the Global Challenge data.

I had my own boat measured in may when it was completely dry and clean. It was found to be 121.8 kg, when its weight was checked at the Global challenge the scales said 124.7 kg. Now there is no way that my boat "gained" 3 kg in weight due to the gear. It was exactly the same boat as in may.

A few kg swing is easily possible. I saw the same happen to some other boats that had been measured earlier (and were lighter the first time)

With respect to publicizing the measurements of others that is a decision that befalls the GC of which I am not part.

Wouter

Dude, give it a break.


Obviously no one who was at the event feels that it is any big deal and certainly no conspiracy. If you needed to know so badly, then you should have taken the effort to attend the event and seen for yourself.

OK no big deal. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
But for what reason is this critical data being withheld? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Who says that this info is withheld ?

Have you approached the Governing Council and ask them for this data officially ?

All we doing here is preventing wild rumours from spreading.

If you want to know this data, or feel a need to know it, then contact the GC directly. They are the proper authority when dealing with such matters.

Wouter

I don't think it is being withheld. It's more likely that none of the people on this forum actually wrote down all the figures, and they're reluctant to post inaccurate data.

As has already been said, the only boat that was right down to weight was Hans', which is VWM hulls with a carbon mast. New examples of the VWM Blade and Stealth, and the Oz Blade were close. As has already been revealed, the Viper weighed in at 137kg, but I wouldn't take that figure too seriously. The boat was pulled together quickly for the event, and a I believe that more components were pinched off the F18 than is planned for production boats. If you want full details on what production Vipers will be like, get in touch with AHPC.

Paul