Age and gender of those owning F16 boats

On a recent holiday abroad we were attempting to learn a new sport, a group of young girls and group of middle agish men. Things were going horribly wrong and the instructor was overheard saying to one of his mates who had arrived " why should he be bothered to teach old fat men". At no stage did the youngish instructor acknowledge that his teaching methods would have to be modified to suite old fat men ( in my case probably true ).

Now looking at a lot of the posts on this forum of late there seems to be almost the same age divide, youngish people looking in making comments without any thoughts on what exactly the makeup of the owners of F16 boats are and what exactly their requirements are in owning a F16 boat.

My question is to this forum is that from what I see and read the majority of owners are not youngish, mainly a little portly by looking at weights being mentioned and generally quite skilled and seasoned sailors. Is this why we have such conflicting views with the likes of Macca and Sue who probably have a whole different requirement and approach to the sport. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Age: 59 and holding
wt: 220 lbs.

I've found the differences to be more values than age. Younger people, IMO, seem to feel "entitled". Also, I find that I get along better with men who have had some military experience.

33
165
6'2
hobbies include combing my hair, brushing my teeth and my favorite color is clear

Now guys I'm not really interested in your inside leg measurements and what you brush your hair with, rather the question of age gap and the corresponding views of the young and old ) ish )

my "views"
dunno. I think there should be a middle ground. The whole thing shouldn't be an all out kamikaze fest where common sense goes out the window but I also don't think we should bend over backward to make things supersafe with no possibility of ANYTHING going wrong or someone getting hurt.

It would be like me trying to learn how to do crazy bike tricks or sketeboard tricks. Can I do it? Should I be "allowed" to? Yes, but I can hardly blame anyone when I fall and break my head because I am not as flexible, etc, as I once was.

I have found there are very few "young" people (less than 30) who can afford a $15,000 toy. I think this is why we see so many of us are in our 30's-40's on up.

Also, as has been beaten to death here, the Mono Clubs have a better system of taking a child from age 8-18 in their Opti, Laser, 420-470 programs, and it's not until these "kids" get out on a bigger boat and see beach cats screaming by them at 3x the speed that they even consider buying a cat, and then they can't afford it until after they are wed, bought the house, car, paid for the kiddies, the horses ( <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />) and everything else that comes along with "Growing Up". After all of that, then maybe, if they still have interest, they can consider buying a cat.

Were these "youngsters" teaching windsurfing by any chance? I've found most of those guys are idiots and don't even understand apparant wind principles.

Oh, and I do windsurf, or used to, when I was "young". <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

"youngish people looking in making comments without any thoughts on what exactly the makeup of the owners of F16 boats are and what exactly their requirements are in owning a F16 boat."

Gosh, if your bias represents what the F16 class is all about, I fear for the future of this class.

I know thoughtless people of all ages, don't see what this has to do with young people or old people for that matter. And since the title includes gender, I don't see how being thoughtless has anything to do with being male or female either.

Finally, while I have no idea who Sue or Macca are, I hope we would be open minded enough to think they could be/are world class sailors no matter whether they are young or old, male or female and their views should matter too or at least be heard too.

Trying to keep this directly related to sailing rather than commonalities eg solo sailing is crucial to me as I want to be able to sail as and when I can rather than complicate things with a crew, do the young want crewed boats more as they like company more, this type of thing

ckuang, there is no bias to my question, I like young and old people alike, just need to understand more on why people make comments rather than thinking things through. Is there an age basis, I don't really know, just interested. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Wait until you get to know Macca a little better. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

With any stereotype, it is the degree too which the stereotype is accurate that matters. Most of the conflict I have encountered has been with younger males with no military experience. That is not to say I feel that ALL young men absent military experience are a problem.

Indeed, most of the people I've met in the sailing community are very nice. Without regard to age or gender.

Another "stereotype" I've noticed is that "sailor ladies" on average are better than men. There are four women I sail against on a regular basis, all are much more skilled than I. And better looking too! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Oh By The Way, the title of this thread is "Age and Gender of those OWNING F16 boats."

Neither Macca or Sue own a F16 as far as I know, unless you call that thing Macca bought an F16. I guess a Hobie 16 might also qualify? It wouldn't win any races but it might measure in. Is that a F16? Anything that "measures in"?

Age 48, Male, previous military officer... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I am previous military too... thankfully previous and no longer current <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Now you've done it! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I quess there was some drama in Hobie land about a spin for the 16 being class legal. Maybe we should invite all those folks!

Age 31, currently serving my country PROUDLY in the US Coast Guard and will continue until they tell me to get the heck out.

Purchased my first blade when I was 28, I think I might be the youngest of the crowd.

gender: male + female
age: 26
weight: 135 kg

my dad sails 1-up:
age: 63

Regards,
Gill

I should have been a coastie!

RLY! isnt there a name for that type of condition? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />


<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Just messing with ya! ahhahahahah

Yikes! Gilo has both sets! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Andi was former miltary too. And Gilo, I think you should get that checked out... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I tried to get into the Coast Guard Academy but flunked the spelling test... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> So I went into the Air Force, all we needed to do was to land, on land.

<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m60.htm

www.redstone.army.mil/history/systems/REDEYE.html

I'm 39 - Just!

78kg (165lbs) and going down slowly

Nothing to do with the military, I play with computers all day and muck around with other peoples money

So Pete, should we change your name to "Tanki-Pete"? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I flew the "Tank" as well.

Panzer pete. And don't forget this part.

www.redstone.army.mil/history/systems/REDEYE.html I may be the only person you know who has shot down an airplane. (RCAT drone 10' x 10'; Oro Grande New Mexico, summer 1967)

I am 37 and 126lbs, my skipper is 52 and 148lbs. Up from 115 and 138. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> (Trying to gain for the AC)

Now this is more like it, a bit of humour with a little jest or two.

Me I'm a fat ( officially obese by my BMI and not proud of it ) 94 kilo 50 year old wishing he was 30 all over again. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

But rather than just Stats I also wanted to know about the different ways the ages and genders thinks about sailing, why do we do this daft sport and in particular why F16.

A previous poster was correct Women should be excellent sailors as they are quite cautious and calculating about what they do ( sorry guys no divorce scenarios here please, just matters to do with sailing )which lead to good results, their natural physic will however hold them back. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

sailing solo is a blast
being able to pull the boat up the litte ramp without someone to help is key.
Took 4 people to pull an f18 up the beach even with beach wheels one time. That is silly

What does "physic" mean? Are you talking about physique, like physical strength? If so, I don't agree with you at all. In the small-boat world, I don't think strength is much of a factor for most cats.

If you are talking about mental, as in aggressiveness, as related to the physical aspect of hormones, I can agree that in many cases women are not as aggressive as men, and that holds them back to some extent.

Plus, of course, we women know how fragile men's egos are, so we feel bad about beating them on the race course. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Can anyone plot this on a chart? Age, etc.?

I am an equal opportunity loser... I am comfy getting beat by anyone.
Consistently sets low goals and fails to acheive them... thats me <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

correct physique as in physical strength, sorry about my "spellin". Yes I do feel that sailing particularly single handed is not easy and a womens natural strength is always going to be less than their counterparts.

Mind you met a couple of Dutch ladies on holiday ( yes they did share a room ) of which one of them could carry the record number of logs up the stairs to the fireplace. One tough Dutch D***. Mind you she had a great sense of humour. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I know you, and I know that is not true.

Well thank you.
Thankfully I am a better MD than racer <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

If you were talking about crewing, I would agree that physical strength is more of a factor. But for skippering and singlehanding, I don't think so.

If you are talking about singlehanding an F16 with spinnaker, that IS a handful for ANYBODY. But the mechanical advantages available on boats these days make strength almost obsolete. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

The BIG factor between men and women is WEIGHT. Most women do not have enough weight to hold the boat down in heavy air, and they do not have enough weight to right the boat if it capsizes.

Trimming the spin solo can get pretty tiring. If I were doing any type of moderate distance race I would mount cleats on the hulls so I could rest and/or do a 2:1 set up. Curry has spin cleats on his boat for the same reason.

And what about Ellen MacArther? Pretty tough, small as she is, I wouldn't want to cross her! One thing I really like about this sport, women can compete on equal basis with men. Pease Glasser has won A cat Nationals too. I just need to find a woman who wants to crew, or drive, I'll crew!

I actaully prefer crewing as there is more time to look around, watch the race develop and call tactics, which is the -fun- part for me. I think these boats (cats) go faster upwind if the heavier person is up near the mast and the lighter person is driving. Downwind in a blow, you want the weight in the back of course.

Well, everybody knows that women have more stamina than men. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Just put a poll on the thread.

Well, considering my Maricat 4.3 meets the F16 class rules, I figure I can post here <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Age" 32
Weight 74kg

I think you're whipping a dead horse.

Well at long last I know your age, took a real fishing bait but got there in the end, pictured from your posts that you would be in your late 20's so not far off. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Hey what is a Maricat, used to play when staying in Sydney in the early 80's on I think it was called Surfcat, fun little boat. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Wayne,
You were probably playing around on a Windrush.
They made a 12ft Surfcat.

Below are some MAricats.

Looks like a Patin with rudders.

Gill

What is a Patin?

age 36 Weight 83kg

No way! the mari 4.3 is alive and well. In fact i'm confident there have been more new 4.3's built in Australia over the past 12 months than F16 <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I agree.
The Mari is a good little boat.
It got boat of the year , I think in 1977.

Patin a Vela is a class that actually races in Europe. It evolved from a fishing craft that was poled around. It does not have a solid deck or a trampoline -- just cross-boards to get around on, and the sailor has to steer it with his weight distribution and the sail. No rudders.

I think I have attached the picture.

Maricat 4.3 minimum weight 95 kg => NOT a F16 compliant boat.

http://003fb61.netsolhost.com/43rules.htm#boat

Besides, anybody can post here even when not owning a F16.

Just can't make rule change proposals without being an F16 member.

Wouter

Age 35
weight 90 kg or just under it.

Wouter

I wonder if he/she was born with both or had "the surgery"?

Oh, I am 40, weigh 205 lbs. and 100% male.

As the F16 class proves, a Min weight is just a number, or something to aim for... I'm pretty sure that my 25 year old maricat is well over the 95kg min weight and its more like the 110kg.

Imagine what it would weigh today if it started its life at 10kg over min weight? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Looks like someone is trying to breath a bit of life into that horse of yours.

When fishing patience is very important.

I'm 47 and 11/12ths, just over 80Kg, and all male last time anyone checked. But I think the original question relates to how our age and gender affects our views on sailing.

I'd echo the point that for many, you have to reach a certain stage in life when you can afford a multi-thousand pound / dollar toy. I was 41 before I even got on a cat (in fact any boat smaller than a cross channel ferry). I'd perceived sailing clubs to be too political and stuffy, and dinghy sailing to be too dull. I initially windsurfed (cheap and fun), had a family, then mountain biking (started in mid-late 30's, cheaply, discovered my mistake very quickly, then bought an 'expensive' bike). Aged 41, I discovered cats while on holiday in Jamaica - came home and bought a new one. Hence it might take time to accumulate the money and opportunity to discover cat sailing.

As to how my age affects my views - I've found myself diving in with a very gung-ho attitude - you only live once and all that. As your forties slide by, you realise that youth is not perpetual. For example, I did a trip from Dee to Beaumaris (40 miles), about 4 weeks into my ownership of the Spitfire - as a measure, it too me a year to work out how to avoid capsizing it - essentially unsupported, and into what turned into an unforecast F7 headwind for most of the trip. Experience tells me to be even more cautious next time, but the clock tells me to 'go for it' while you can!

I am inspired by those who admit to being somewhat more senior, and have recently been beaten by Reg White on his Spitfire, so I know I have many years left if I am lucky. However, I am aware of slowly seizing up, in the hands and back, and being less nimble round the boat. So as I get older I am prepared to take more risks, but am probably less well equiped to do so!

As for the gender debate - I try to encourage women as well as men to get behind the tiller especially. For some reason they think their place is as 'crew'. I contradict this whenever possible - the 16 footers especially have light enough sheet loads, and a well balanced boat is easy to steer. Strength is not an issue - the possible exception being to play the main, but I pass that to the crew. I am sure any woman could cope with the physical demands of helming these boats. The question then becomes, who is the 'captain' - quite a different issue!

Product of MariGlass which was owned by SeaWind Catamarans at the time.

Age 32
Weight 72kg to 76kg

but don't own an F16 so please ignore above

Age: 26
I am the female part of Gilo...

Don't forget the cost of the car to drag the cat around...
Gato 52 the other day, male 75 kgs

I disagree about the age and having more money. While you do make more as you get older you tend to have some high expenses. I'd think you'd want people my age, mid to late twenties, assuming they've had some time out of college. My reasoning is that at 27, less then half of my friends are married, and about half that are have children. The single or unmarried types have plenty of diposable income.

When I was 27 the only thing I could afford was an old Windsurfer and an old Ford...

That's true Karl, kids will suck all the time and money out of any sailing budget. When I was young and single, I could put all my time and money into two things, flying lessons and sailboats. I always had my own racing boat from age 19-28. But I had to sell my boat(s) and motor cycle to buy a house back when I was first married and she came down with the dreaded -Twins- disease. My buddies in the Air Force had a "Name the Babbies Contest", the winning names were, "No Boat and No Motorcycle". It was 7 years before I got on a boat again. Wiped out my age 29-36 sailing years.

Most of the top level racers I know don't have kids, and some don't even have wives anymore... Most wives won't take second place to a racing sailboat for long. And if Mamma ain't happy, nobody's happy. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Depends on the "mama" you choose. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Are you saying there are some "Mamma's" who, even though they are -not happy- do not make their spouse equally unhappy? Where do they breed such women?

If you want to race sailboats, even after marriage, I suggest you mary a woman who already owns her own racing sailboat! If you are nice, she might even let you drive. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It's like any guy or girl who is into a certain sport. You don't marry someone who is not going to be supportive. Like if you race motocross, your spouse should be out there supporting you and wiping the mud off your helmet facemask when you come into the pits. If you are a sailor, your spouse should be either crewing for you or helping you to rig your boat and launch it and/or maybe serving on race committee.

If your spouse is into golf, or tennis, or skiing or horseback riding or whatever, I think you should be into it, too (or at least very supportive if you don't want to do it yourself). Just my opinion.

It has been my observation that many young, single girls love the thought of going sailing, while dating. But shortly after the wedding, their focus turns to having children (peer pressure, Mom want's grandchildren, etc.), and as soon as the baby(s) shows up, Dad has lost his crew. Soon, Mamma is looking for a break from the kid, so Dad stays home with the little dickens instead of going out sailing, while Mom goes out for a much deserved break.

I think this is why we lose so many sailors in their mid 20's-40's. Until the little one is old enough to go sailing too, Dad is on diaper duty every weekend, if he wants to stay married that is. And I stand by my original statement, that when Mamma isn't happy, nobody's happy. You, Mary, being a Momma, just don't see it, because you are on the other side of that fence. Let's hear what Rick has to say. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> (Don't do it Rick, I was just making a point, I don't want to get you in deep do-do!)

But any input from you other -married with children- types would be most appreciated. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Karl you spend more time here than on any other forum.

You really, really need to get crackin' on that F16 home build.

Accept it, you're one of us! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

And he's got all the skills, tools, even the access to the wood to do it! Get on it, before the snow melts! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I'm not on the other side of the fence. I'm on the SAME side of the fence. One of the reasons I left my first husband was because he was not into sailing and was not supportive of my love for it, even though I was supportive of his interests in golf, baseball, basketball.... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

In Rick's case, we have a mutual love of sailing, and so I put up with his watching football, baseball, basketball and tennis, and motocross.

All of our kids, his and mine, have become good sailors and they all went to (and sailed in) many regattas when they were young.

You got a sister? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Of course, I have a sister. And her husband is a wrestling coach and didn't know anything about sailing when he married my sister. But he was VERY supportive of her and they got a catamaran and she taught him how to sail, and they have been sailing together ever since, with her on the helm and him crewing.

Now, of course, she and her husband and Rick and I all have Waves, and we race against each other, which is even MORE fun. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I think it is far more common for spouses (I mean wives) to lose their interest in sports some time between marriage and child birth. Husbands most certainly find budgets and time is diverted towards the interest of the family (otherwise, what was the point?).

As it happens, my wife never regained her interest in windsurfing, even though we learnt together early in our marriage. She never got interested in mountain biking or anything else wobbly, and as for sailing, well she did have a ride on my very stable Nacra 6.0, briefly, while in sunny Aruba (note, not the UK), and called time when the windward hull almost parted contact with the water along 20% of its length.

However, due to a few life changing experiences we have had (involving many months of her time in hospital), she is very supportive of my current interest, and now the children are almost totally independent, she is planning to come to the odd weekend regatta this year - by which I mean she'll be in the same hotel, and we'll have dinner together! If she turns up at the water's edge, I will be very pleasantly surprised.

So my point is that it is pretty much a given that wives will lose interest, but they don't have to take part to be supportive. I'd like my wife to take part, but the next best thing is for her to be happy at home, doing what she wants, while I do my thing, and I can live with that.

When I look around at other sailors, I realise I am very lucky to have a wife who is so supportive without sharing the same interest. That's due to the 'life changing' business we've been through - which is a function of age and experience.

The one up F16 is the closest comparison to my boat. That's why I read this forum. OK, and I'm a little interested. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> It's good and bad, most of the catamaran racing around here is Hobie. It's where I have my friends and due to my "prickly" demeanor I don't make friends all that quickly. I am starting to seriously consider building one though. Although I want to build an iceboat, a trimaran, and a catamamaran. You have to remeber, I'm also lazy, and do woodworking day in and day out, so doing more of it doesn't really excite me that much. If I were genuinely intersted in aquiring an F16, I'd more than likely buy one. That is if you raise the minimum boat weight! Just kidding. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I really like the FXone, and if I can't get my class to grow in the next few years I may be looking at different avenues.

As I said at the beginning, the important thing is to choose your spouse well. And you obviously did. If I had a husband who plays golf, I certainly wouldn't be going to the golf course with him, but I would support him and encourage him.

Karl, be sure to get yourself up to Shell Lake July 26,27 for the annual Broken Rudder MN-WI challenge regatta. There will likely be several single-handed spin boats racing from WI - me on the Blade, maybe Dan Feldman and 1-3 F17s. Watch crawsailing.org for details as they come to hand.

I'm semi-planning on going to the broken rudder regatta. There is a Div 7 regatta that weekend as well, but who am I going to race? Might as well get my butt handed to me on a portsmouth platter.

[/quote]

As the F16 class proves, a Min weight is just a number, or something to aim for... I'm pretty sure that my 25 year old maricat is well over the 95kg min weight and its more like the 110kg.

Imagine what it would weigh today if it started its life at 10kg over min weight? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> [/quote]


It must be delaminating and sucking up water like a sponge or its 15 kg. of extra resin in armature repair work. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Maybe it’s about time for a trade in? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Nah, its fine. The old boats were heavier than the clas min weight anyway. So it was never 95kg.

You can buy a new one though, it's on min weight. Oh... and they are faster than the heavy boats.... now who would have thought that hey!

I remember when Reg White took over building the Condor - They were lighter, stiffer, had new sails - Oh, and the top guys in the fleet bought them - and imagine <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> They were FASTER than the old boats - now who would have thought that hey! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well the proof will be when I go racing my 24 year old maricat against the new boats then wont it..?

Well you will have to let one of the top sailors race it to be sure.

I am tying to find one.. Really hard to find good cat sailors in Australia..

Maybe that is one of the reasons the F16 is so popular. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Raise the weight and they don’t sell (and the class dies). <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

YUH THINK!!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Call Glen Ashby, see if he will race it for you. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I will go out on a limb here and predict he will whoop up on all the new boats. Why? Because when you get right down to it, skill matters more than weight. But hey, why not just raise the minimum boat weight so all the older boats will be at the new min. wt? Then you won't have any excuses for not winning. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Gosh Timbo I had a little heart rate flutter then, I had thought you had written "Then you won't have any excuses for not whinning " but then I put my glasses on and it was just " winning " <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Wayne, Good one! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

22 yrs
74 kgs
young, single, no kids, pets etc.

As previously discussed, sailing and windsurfing absorb all excess income...

65 next week, male.
Got the Blade for the weight and flexibility. My Shark was getting to be a bit much to trailer, rig and sail singlehanded. Besides, after 30+ years we were beginning to require too much maintenance between outings <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Maybe find a guy who has a few National Championships under his belt in different classes. If he is a good International racer in many different class' that may be a plus also.

Or you can get one of these Internet Rock Stars to steer it.

Lets not go into a new cycle with more of the same. It is taking us nowhere. Let these threads die and lets move on.

wouldn't be so sure. just bought my first (nearly) F16.
Age: 15
Gender: Male

the younger crowd in Oz have begun to look to lighter, faster boats that they can afford, so F16 is the logical choice.

I have seen the future!