Yes, the F16HP will always contain a setup that has an equal Texel (and often also ISAF) handicap number as the F18. This is very helpfull for local club races which hardly ever have a seperate F18 start or ranking. And the big regatta's like Texel and caribian regatta's have a general standing as well as seperate class standings.
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<br>The F16HP class itself will grow into higher and higher performance in a controlled way. This particular path is fully independ of the F18 class.
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<br>These to objectives don't have to conflict with eachother. Let me explain.
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<br>The initial growth path is like this.
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<br>We start with one setup :
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<br>max 5 mtr. long
<br>max 2.5 mtr. wide (wings allowed and may than be wider overall)
<br>rated Sailarea main max 13 sq.mtr
<br>Rated Jib area max 3,1 sq.mtr. (exceptions for grandfathered boats)
<br>Max gen 17,5 sq.mtr.
<br>Max hoist 7,5 sq.mtr.
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<br>(solo without the jib)
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<br>This setup has the same Texel (Isaf) handicap as the F18's.
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<br>This setup will be sailed by all until the weight equalization system bcomes operational. (with current momentum somewhere between a year and two years)
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<br>And here comes the trick ! The above setup will become part of the weight equalization system but only for a light weight crew (and ofcourse solo sailing). The heavy weight crews will then be allowed to go max. in genaker area and jib area, they don't have too by the way. Thus we boost overall F16HP performance without letting go of the possibility of buying/ sailing a F18 equal F16HP. This setup will be the standard F16 HP configuration. I mean a heavy crew may in F16 HP races always sail the setup intended for or lighter crew right ?
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<br>Why this configuration standard ? Because it is the best base configuration for both 1-up and 2-up sailing. The 1-up confiurations will only have the 17.5 sq.mtr. genaker. So selling the named configuration is most optimal from a flexibility point of view and most attractive for recreational sailors who mostly run club races and one big handicap regatta a year and tus benefit most from the preserved F18 equality in handicap numbers.
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<br>The big boys who are active participants in the race scene will buy the same platform and trade in the small rig package for a bigger jib and genaker. Effectively only paying the extra cost of having more cloth, estimated at some US$ 100,-, peanuts really. If they want to retain the solo option than they have too buy a second genaker or opt to run heavy with the smaller one. Extra cost, US $700,- when buying a second genaker new.
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<br>All other smaller things that make the F16 HP go fast (planing hulls, lighter sailcloth, etc, carbon masts) are not reflected in the calculated Texel handicap so there is no need to regulate these. We will just beat the F18's more often for a while until they implement the same technics. F18 (and iF20) is also an open class ofcourse and allows improvements. The truthfulness of F16HP handicap numbers to other one-design and stagnant classes is of not of much interest to the F16HP as the F18 or iF20 class number is. And both these two are pretty well covered.
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<br>I think I have covered all things. Is this satisfactury ?
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<br>BTW; has Taipan EU have a demo boat with 17 sq.mtr. genaker or something for someone to test drive ? I'm not speaking for myself, but for a person interested in the F16HP class and would like to test sail the Taipan too next to the Stealth cat.
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<br>Wouter<br><br>