Throughout this Summer I have been adjusting some of the key settings on my 2007 Stealth F16 (GBR 555).
I have now come up with what I believe to be a good, sensible starting point for anybody to try or experiment from. These are just simple settings and only take a minute or two to adjust or just use as a comparison.
1) The mast came with carbon spreaders and I have located the diamonds in the middle locating groove.
When in the rear location I found to be lacking power in moderate winds
2) The diamond tension is set just tight enough to give 15mm of prebend.
The luff shape of the main fits the mast nicely and I always feel I have adequate power in the mid to low wind ranges. However, I do get overpowered fairly quickly at around 15mph
3) The shrouds are fixed in the second hole down from the top of the shroud plates.
It feels good on the tiller and I like to think that the power from the main is situated directly above the centre boards where I always try and stand whilst trapezing (in line with the centre boards)
4) The distance between the bottom of the forestay eye and tops of the bridal eyes is 85mm.
I use this distance as it allows the mast to rotate freely without too little or too much rig tension
5) Taking a trapeze hook and swinging forward, measure the distance between the bottom of the hook and top of the bow. Now measure the distance between the bottom of the hook and top of the transome. My transom measurement is 10mm longer than the bow measurement.
This is due to a combination of 3&4
6) When the kite is hoisted fully up, pinch the luff to take out the slack and hold excess luff horizontally, this distance is 60mm x 2 = 120mm luff slack.
I find this to be the best most forgiving setting prior to re adjusting the pole height for differing low or high wind conditions
My 5.5 Golden Rules
i) Never pinch on a beat
ii) Always set top three battens for expected conditions (loose for windy, tight for light)
iii) Don't over sheet main in light winds
iv) Drop traveller 75-100mm down track when over powered
v) Never pinch on a beat
v.5) Smiling is fast, Swearing is slow
Datchet TT Sept 19-20
The forecast for the weekend was spot on 1-2mph on Saturday and 5mph for Sunday. After arriving and 09.30hrs it was a fairly long and pleasantly hot sunny day. Thankfully the PRO made the decision to postpone all scheduled races at 13:00hrs so people could go off and do their own thing. For Myself and Paul this meant going to see Wayne's new home build Bitza F16, I think we were both taken aback by it's good looks, innovative ideas and professional construction and finish.At 18:00hrs we were back at the Clubhouse for a full on meal and live music, a couple of hours later and a couple of drinks we were in the Car Park trying to erect a tent for Wayne to crash out in, this entailed having a few cans as well for a job done.
The next morning there was some wind, not a lot but definitely more than Saturday. Our start was roughly 10:30hrs so no immediate rush.
Out in the starting area there was a lot of dispute about which type of course to race and eventually everyone was of the opinion that we would be doing tri's and Sausages for the first race followed by two windward- leewards.
The first race was started and I was slightly surprised how much the locals stood back from the line, this allowed me to sail up the line on Port and tack on to
Starboard practically alongside the Committee boat being the A1 position. So with pretty much clear wind and a Hurricane which pinched itself in to irons trying to round the windward mark I was in first place after the first beat. Occasionally there was enough wind to trapezze both up and downwind on this course and after three laps I had built a comfortable lead. During the next start sequence the locals weren't hanging back as quite as much so I put myself on the front row and went up to the line with them, another good start and now it was just a matter of avoiding some of the holes which were now starting to appear on the course. During the first beat the right hand favoured but this was to be last time as from then on there was more wind on the left side of the course. Again I managed to pull out a comfortable lead of approx 60+ sec's at the last windward mark but within 60m of the finish line the wind just stopped and I was left limping. Looking back up the course I could see Nigel and Peter on the edge of the wind coming towards me at good speed, trying not to panic I just had to sit still and pray. What seemed like an eternity the wind slowly started to fill my Kite and luckily from the best possible angle as I was able to bear right off and sail directly to the finish line. In the end newbie Pete was 26 secs behind me but in front of Nigel.The start of the last race was just poor. Both Wayne and I missed our start sequence signals and therefore missed the start completely, luckily for us this start was recalled. My watch was now out of sync so I started on the subsequent 1 minute signal, realising my mistake with some advise fro the PRO I gybed back and lined up again. Again I was OCS so did two gybes the last being around the Committee boat where I found one of their RIBs blocking any further forward movement! Eventually I managed to cross the line and looking at a raft of marooned Cats on the right hand side of the course decided to opt for the left hand side which was definitely the right choice as up at the windward mark I had sailed myself from last to third position. During the next beat I again went to the far left where as Dave and Wayne stuck to the middle, tacking pretty much at the shore I picked a good gust and was able to trapeze to the windward mark passing Dave and Wayne on the opposite tack and in far less wind. Whist leading the race on the next beat Dave who was still on the run shouted over "we're finishing". I quicky gybed hoisted the kite and beat him to the finish line.
Whilst packing up Eric came over and explained that the first 8 Cats hadn't completed the course and on reflection I had to agree as I was on my third lap when I turned around. In the end everything was sorted out. The last 5 cats would be given their finishing positions followed by the Cats which had only completed 2 laps. Needless to say the beer I had promised Dave for his advise on when to finish is still very safe in the barrel.
Finishing with a total of 8 points I won the Datchet Sailing Club , Cat Championships. The F16 Datchet TT and in the end the 2009 F16 UK Travellers Trophy.
UK F16 Nationals 31st July-2nd August 2009
Sunday Evening Prize GivingL-R Wayne R, John T, Mark P, Eric N
Leading the penultimate race
UK F16 Nationals 31st July-2nd August 2009
Mumbles Yacht Club hosted the 2009 F16 National Championships for the third time in succession following the tried and tested format of three races per day over three days. Unfortunately, the number of entries has decreased from 12 in 06 to only 5 in 09.
Those who didn’t participate this year really missed out on some great racing conditions. Over the three days whilst racing the wind never dropped below 8-9mph and some of the stronger winds were reaching 18mph. The sea state although a little choppy by Mumbles standards leveled off as the Event went on to what can only be described as near purr…fect Cat conditions.
Due to the windy conditions on the Practice Race day none of the F16’s ventured out but were happy to take their time rigging, chatting and checking out their opponents settings and system set ups. It soon became obvious that each boat was very individual from the other despite 4 of them being produced by Stealth Marine and the other a VWM Blade. Each competitor appeared happy with their way of doing things even if there were some very large differences in spreader deflection, diamond tensions and in particular mast rake and rig tension. I guess this is only to be expected when no two mainsails were the same. Eric was with an original Stealth R main & GP Kite, Wayne had a new GP main & kite, Paul on the Blade was using an Ullman main & Landy kite, John had a 2nd series Landy main & GP kite I had an amended 2nd series Landy main & a one off GP Kite. Generally speaking John sailed with the tightest rig settings whilst I sailed with the loosest.
The first race of the Championships started with a 10-12mph South Westerly wind with a small ground swell and incoming tide from the South. The line was set with a slight starb’d bias so everyone apart from myself started on starb’d and went up the left side of the course. I on the other hand opted for a Port back door start and the right hand side of the course. This decision was based on 1 less tack, less tide and less waves. However, as I know now also less wind! Paul led at the windward mark followed by John, Myself, Wayne and Eric. Downwind there wasn’t much between us although I had a feeling I could go slightly lower (probably due to my lighter weight than anything else). All of us went to the right hand side of the course, Paul and I gybed together closely followed by John. I was now positioned up wind of both Paul and John who were both on a reasonable course for the leeward mark, I had gybed a little too early so had to sail a little deeper and slower than I really wanted to. At this point I was a bit upset with myself but this didn’t last for long. Paul had miss-read the sailing instructions and was now dropping his kite mistaking the pin end start line mark as the leeward mark, to make matters even better/worse John followed him. With a big grin on my face I sailed past them and on towards the proper leeward mark. They soon realised their mistakes and now John was in front of Paul. Wayne and Eric also managed to make up some ground during Paul’s excursion. The next and subsequent beats I went up the left side, pulling out a comfortable 200m lead. By the end of the third lap John was starting to claw his way back to the extent that I only managed to beat him by 2 boat lengths.
The second race started and the swell had decreased slightly but the wind had increased to 15-18mph. The wind direction and course hadn’t changed. We all took off on starb’d, John slightly lower than myself and Paul slightly higher, Wayne and Eric higher again. To me it felt as if John and I were beating a degree or two lower than the others and pulling away, either that or Paul was pinching slightly. However, I managed to eventually sail over John and in doing so over stood the lay line by a considerable distance as did John but not to the same extent as he tacked pretty much as soon as he could. Eric had also dropped lower on the beat and came to join us in the left hand corner of the course. The tack back to the windward mark was a pure drag race as we were definitely not beating but close hauled reaching. I’m not sure if Paul would have been laughing or crying when he saw us pass him at such speeds. Although, in the end it was me who ultimately ended up the most upset. This high speed reach was too much for a previous (permanent) repair to a tiller bar and it became detached from the rudder. With me out and Wayne onshore replacing a broken spi halyard this left John leading, Paul second and Eric third.
When I reached the shore I had come up with a plan (which involved copious amounts of beer) to borrow Wayne’s rudders etc so I could at least get back out for the 3rd race but Wayne wasn’t having any of it!! So I helped launch him and retired to my garage to do the necessary repairs.
By the start of the third race and by all accounts the wind had picked up again! John got the better of Paul who went for a swim I think during a spi douse and Wayne’s persistence was rewarded with a 2nd place. Eric had a problem with his spi as well and retired.
Day two and we were greeted again with excellent conditions. The wind had veered more Westerly but again the tide and what little waves there were, were coming from the South. I took a port start at the pin and cleared the others by a comfortable margin, headed to the right hand side, tacked three quarters the way up the beat just to check progress and was pleased to find myself with a comfortable lead. By the time I had rounded the windward mark I had possibly a 100m lead and from then on I just tried to settle down and not make any silly mistakes. 4.5 laps later and I finished with approximately the same lead as I started with. Paul was 2nd, John 3rd, Eric 4th and Wayne 5th.
The wind direction backed southerly and increased up to 16-18mph for the 5th race, there was a slight delay as the course was re-figured. This time is was John’s turn to start on port, which he did and passed us all. Paul and I headed off to the left but Paul had now found the accelerator or from my view was no longer sailing as high as before but was now sailing lower and faster. I thought it better to tack on to port first so at least I might be able to catch him on starb’d closer to the mark but I need not have worried. Paul had found the pace to keep himself out of trouble and led around the windward mark, followed by John, myself , Wayne or Eric.
Paul continued to sail fast building a nice lead by the time we had completed the race. I managed to overtake John by gybing fairly early after the windward mark and getting a good gust down the middle of the course. However, due to the proximity of the start/finish line to the leeward mark nothing could be taken for granted and we remained close until I think John sailed over a spi sheet. Wayne and Eric were also having a good battle until Eric went for a swim. Paul deservedly got his first Bullet, followed by myself, John, Wayne & Eric.
For the Sixth race it looked as if the wind was veering Westerly again but just a few seconds before the A.P was raised it backed and we went straight into the starting sequence. We all started on starb’d heading for the left corner and again Paul was setting the pace. Eric and Wayne tacked off early to compete in their own little battle. Leaving us racing to get to the Port lay line first. Paul got their first but didn’t realise it followed by myself and John, when we did all tack onto Port we were all too high and again ended up reaching towards the windward mark. As we got closer we were getting headed and ended up not making the mark and having to do a short beat on starb’d to round the mark. Paul went off and again and won with a comfortable lead. I overtook Wayne on the first run again by going down the middle of the course. I thought the wind shifts and gusts were making the lay lines to hard to read. John also managed to overhaul Wayne (much to my disappointment) after which he admittedly settled for third place so for all of us it was quite a relaxing end of the second day’s racing. Now Paul, John and Myself all had two bullets each, the only downside was that Paul had finished this event and was going abroad the following day to ‘race’ his car.
Day three, South Westerly winds starting at 8-9mph going up to 14-15mph with just ripples on the water and sunshine. In my mind I knew that all I had to do was to get in front of John and cover him for the rest of the races to be in with a chance of wining. At the first start I sat in the middle of the line and watched to see where John was going. He eventually sat at the Pin end so it was obvious he was going for a Port start, I pulled in the sheets and went to join him leaving Eric and Wayne at the Committee boat end. Within the last 30secs prior to the start John and myself were trying to out manoeuvre each other or to put it another way, John was trying to luff me either over the line or the wrong side of the pin. It was a bit scary as I didn’t have many rights but in the end we both managed a clean start and I did manage to clear Eric on port, John didn’t and we both had to duck Wayne. After that excitement the race settled down and I just kept myself in front of John building a slightly bigger lead with every lap. John was 2nd followed by Wayne and Eric.
Race 8 and we all started on starb’d. I was lowest with John and Wayne above me. As much as I tried I couldn’t get enough distance ahead to tack on to port and clear them, so in the end I let out the main and slowed down so I could tack and duck their transoms. I knew I wouldn’t be able to make the mark on port but at least I would be in a good position on starb’d going into the mark. As it happens the closer I was getting to the mark the more I was being lifted, not once did I look around to see what was happening behind me, I just stayed still and concentrated on keeping the boat in the groove and on this lift, eventually I had to move my head to see if I could tack for the mark and I could. Luckily, I completed a steady and well rehearsed tack, got on the wire and powered up for the mark knowing full well that John and Wayne had to do something pretty special to get in front. As it happens they both tried something pretty special, cutting across on port. I narrowly avoided John by bearing away from a projected impact at his rear beam I just managed to raise my hull over his transom, then a quick jerk of the tiller and I went to windward of Wayne who was just commencing a tack. Needless to say I told them that unless they do their penalty turns I would have no option than to protest them, in fairness to them both they didn’t object or hesitate to exonerating themselves.
From then on the race carried on but for one small incident. Yes, it happens to all of us (one day). I managed to sail over a spi sheet during a douse. John was also very close behind, I have had this happen on several occasions in the past so I knew what needed to be done it was just a question of when. I decided to carry on up the beat trying to sail as best I could to gain a big a lead as possible, then just before rounding the mark and bearing away I rounded up into wind, dived along the hull to the bow, unhooked the spi sheet, slid back on to the tramp and grabbed the tiller to bear away and hoist the spi. John did get in front but not by much so I was able to overtake him on the run and take another Bullet.
The last race was much like the previous race but we managed to keep out of each others way. The highlight for both Wayne and Myself was rather unsporting but it consisted of a huge sigh of relief from me and a big grin from Wayne as John had a funny moment with his tiller extension whilst in 2nd place on the second Lap and went for a swim. I had three bullets in three races and was happy. Wayne had a 2nd place and didn’t go swimming so he was happy and in fact I think everybody was happy with their performances and the Regatta in general.
Positions
1st Mark Pressdee Wal 15pts
2nd JohnTerry Eng 17pts
3rd Paul Warren Eng 27pts
4th Wayne Richards Nzl 30pts
5th Eric Noyau Fra 38pts
Those who didn’t participate this year really missed out on some great racing conditions. Over the three days whilst racing the wind never dropped below 8-9mph and some of the stronger winds were reaching 18mph. The sea state although a little choppy by Mumbles standards leveled off as the Event went on to what can only be described as near purr…fect Cat conditions.
Due to the windy conditions on the Practice Race day none of the F16’s ventured out but were happy to take their time rigging, chatting and checking out their opponents settings and system set ups. It soon became obvious that each boat was very individual from the other despite 4 of them being produced by Stealth Marine and the other a VWM Blade. Each competitor appeared happy with their way of doing things even if there were some very large differences in spreader deflection, diamond tensions and in particular mast rake and rig tension. I guess this is only to be expected when no two mainsails were the same. Eric was with an original Stealth R main & GP Kite, Wayne had a new GP main & kite, Paul on the Blade was using an Ullman main & Landy kite, John had a 2nd series Landy main & GP kite I had an amended 2nd series Landy main & a one off GP Kite. Generally speaking John sailed with the tightest rig settings whilst I sailed with the loosest.
The first race of the Championships started with a 10-12mph South Westerly wind with a small ground swell and incoming tide from the South. The line was set with a slight starb’d bias so everyone apart from myself started on starb’d and went up the left side of the course. I on the other hand opted for a Port back door start and the right hand side of the course. This decision was based on 1 less tack, less tide and less waves. However, as I know now also less wind! Paul led at the windward mark followed by John, Myself, Wayne and Eric. Downwind there wasn’t much between us although I had a feeling I could go slightly lower (probably due to my lighter weight than anything else). All of us went to the right hand side of the course, Paul and I gybed together closely followed by John. I was now positioned up wind of both Paul and John who were both on a reasonable course for the leeward mark, I had gybed a little too early so had to sail a little deeper and slower than I really wanted to. At this point I was a bit upset with myself but this didn’t last for long. Paul had miss-read the sailing instructions and was now dropping his kite mistaking the pin end start line mark as the leeward mark, to make matters even better/worse John followed him. With a big grin on my face I sailed past them and on towards the proper leeward mark. They soon realised their mistakes and now John was in front of Paul. Wayne and Eric also managed to make up some ground during Paul’s excursion. The next and subsequent beats I went up the left side, pulling out a comfortable 200m lead. By the end of the third lap John was starting to claw his way back to the extent that I only managed to beat him by 2 boat lengths.
The second race started and the swell had decreased slightly but the wind had increased to 15-18mph. The wind direction and course hadn’t changed. We all took off on starb’d, John slightly lower than myself and Paul slightly higher, Wayne and Eric higher again. To me it felt as if John and I were beating a degree or two lower than the others and pulling away, either that or Paul was pinching slightly. However, I managed to eventually sail over John and in doing so over stood the lay line by a considerable distance as did John but not to the same extent as he tacked pretty much as soon as he could. Eric had also dropped lower on the beat and came to join us in the left hand corner of the course. The tack back to the windward mark was a pure drag race as we were definitely not beating but close hauled reaching. I’m not sure if Paul would have been laughing or crying when he saw us pass him at such speeds. Although, in the end it was me who ultimately ended up the most upset. This high speed reach was too much for a previous (permanent) repair to a tiller bar and it became detached from the rudder. With me out and Wayne onshore replacing a broken spi halyard this left John leading, Paul second and Eric third.
When I reached the shore I had come up with a plan (which involved copious amounts of beer) to borrow Wayne’s rudders etc so I could at least get back out for the 3rd race but Wayne wasn’t having any of it!! So I helped launch him and retired to my garage to do the necessary repairs.
By the start of the third race and by all accounts the wind had picked up again! John got the better of Paul who went for a swim I think during a spi douse and Wayne’s persistence was rewarded with a 2nd place. Eric had a problem with his spi as well and retired.
Day two and we were greeted again with excellent conditions. The wind had veered more Westerly but again the tide and what little waves there were, were coming from the South. I took a port start at the pin and cleared the others by a comfortable margin, headed to the right hand side, tacked three quarters the way up the beat just to check progress and was pleased to find myself with a comfortable lead. By the time I had rounded the windward mark I had possibly a 100m lead and from then on I just tried to settle down and not make any silly mistakes. 4.5 laps later and I finished with approximately the same lead as I started with. Paul was 2nd, John 3rd, Eric 4th and Wayne 5th.
The wind direction backed southerly and increased up to 16-18mph for the 5th race, there was a slight delay as the course was re-figured. This time is was John’s turn to start on port, which he did and passed us all. Paul and I headed off to the left but Paul had now found the accelerator or from my view was no longer sailing as high as before but was now sailing lower and faster. I thought it better to tack on to port first so at least I might be able to catch him on starb’d closer to the mark but I need not have worried. Paul had found the pace to keep himself out of trouble and led around the windward mark, followed by John, myself , Wayne or Eric.
Paul continued to sail fast building a nice lead by the time we had completed the race. I managed to overtake John by gybing fairly early after the windward mark and getting a good gust down the middle of the course. However, due to the proximity of the start/finish line to the leeward mark nothing could be taken for granted and we remained close until I think John sailed over a spi sheet. Wayne and Eric were also having a good battle until Eric went for a swim. Paul deservedly got his first Bullet, followed by myself, John, Wayne & Eric.
For the Sixth race it looked as if the wind was veering Westerly again but just a few seconds before the A.P was raised it backed and we went straight into the starting sequence. We all started on starb’d heading for the left corner and again Paul was setting the pace. Eric and Wayne tacked off early to compete in their own little battle. Leaving us racing to get to the Port lay line first. Paul got their first but didn’t realise it followed by myself and John, when we did all tack onto Port we were all too high and again ended up reaching towards the windward mark. As we got closer we were getting headed and ended up not making the mark and having to do a short beat on starb’d to round the mark. Paul went off and again and won with a comfortable lead. I overtook Wayne on the first run again by going down the middle of the course. I thought the wind shifts and gusts were making the lay lines to hard to read. John also managed to overhaul Wayne (much to my disappointment) after which he admittedly settled for third place so for all of us it was quite a relaxing end of the second day’s racing. Now Paul, John and Myself all had two bullets each, the only downside was that Paul had finished this event and was going abroad the following day to ‘race’ his car.
Day three, South Westerly winds starting at 8-9mph going up to 14-15mph with just ripples on the water and sunshine. In my mind I knew that all I had to do was to get in front of John and cover him for the rest of the races to be in with a chance of wining. At the first start I sat in the middle of the line and watched to see where John was going. He eventually sat at the Pin end so it was obvious he was going for a Port start, I pulled in the sheets and went to join him leaving Eric and Wayne at the Committee boat end. Within the last 30secs prior to the start John and myself were trying to out manoeuvre each other or to put it another way, John was trying to luff me either over the line or the wrong side of the pin. It was a bit scary as I didn’t have many rights but in the end we both managed a clean start and I did manage to clear Eric on port, John didn’t and we both had to duck Wayne. After that excitement the race settled down and I just kept myself in front of John building a slightly bigger lead with every lap. John was 2nd followed by Wayne and Eric.
Race 8 and we all started on starb’d. I was lowest with John and Wayne above me. As much as I tried I couldn’t get enough distance ahead to tack on to port and clear them, so in the end I let out the main and slowed down so I could tack and duck their transoms. I knew I wouldn’t be able to make the mark on port but at least I would be in a good position on starb’d going into the mark. As it happens the closer I was getting to the mark the more I was being lifted, not once did I look around to see what was happening behind me, I just stayed still and concentrated on keeping the boat in the groove and on this lift, eventually I had to move my head to see if I could tack for the mark and I could. Luckily, I completed a steady and well rehearsed tack, got on the wire and powered up for the mark knowing full well that John and Wayne had to do something pretty special to get in front. As it happens they both tried something pretty special, cutting across on port. I narrowly avoided John by bearing away from a projected impact at his rear beam I just managed to raise my hull over his transom, then a quick jerk of the tiller and I went to windward of Wayne who was just commencing a tack. Needless to say I told them that unless they do their penalty turns I would have no option than to protest them, in fairness to them both they didn’t object or hesitate to exonerating themselves.
From then on the race carried on but for one small incident. Yes, it happens to all of us (one day). I managed to sail over a spi sheet during a douse. John was also very close behind, I have had this happen on several occasions in the past so I knew what needed to be done it was just a question of when. I decided to carry on up the beat trying to sail as best I could to gain a big a lead as possible, then just before rounding the mark and bearing away I rounded up into wind, dived along the hull to the bow, unhooked the spi sheet, slid back on to the tramp and grabbed the tiller to bear away and hoist the spi. John did get in front but not by much so I was able to overtake him on the run and take another Bullet.
The last race was much like the previous race but we managed to keep out of each others way. The highlight for both Wayne and Myself was rather unsporting but it consisted of a huge sigh of relief from me and a big grin from Wayne as John had a funny moment with his tiller extension whilst in 2nd place on the second Lap and went for a swim. I had three bullets in three races and was happy. Wayne had a 2nd place and didn’t go swimming so he was happy and in fact I think everybody was happy with their performances and the Regatta in general.
Positions
1st Mark Pressdee Wal 15pts
2nd JohnTerry Eng 17pts
3rd Paul Warren Eng 27pts
4th Wayne Richards Nzl 30pts
5th Eric Noyau Fra 38pts
Splicing!
Here are two examples of rope splicing for my Stealth F16 but can also be used on any dinghy or multihull.
For specific quotes please don't hesitate to contact Tim @ South Wales Marine 01792 2463000
Traveller 3m x 5mm Vectran V12 spliced and tapered into 5mm Vectran V12
£19.99 ex P&P
Spi sheet 12.5m x 8mm Maffioli evolution swiftcord with a 3mm
dyneema spliced pig tail. The advantages of a spliced pig tail is that there are no real knots at the spi clew to get caught on the fore stay whilst gybing
£54.99 ex P&P
Gower Challenge 2009
Competitors line up prior to the start of the 2009 Gower Challenge. The wind was a little light to start off with whilst beating down the Gower Peninsular coast. After an hour it started to freshen and run back from Oxwich to Mumbles was near perfect. The long rolling swells adding that extra enjoyment
which certainly brought a smile to my face.
MP-Multihulls, Stealth F16 was second over the water and was first on corrected time beating Simon and Mark on an Inter 20 by 96 seconds, 3rd was a F18 Hobie Tiger.
I just happened to pop up in this photo.
F16's
One off designs and home builds.
DIY plans are available for people who feel the urge to build their own F16, numerous projects have either been completed or are currently on the work bench as we speak
Opposite is a MP-Multihulls design, which I hope to
build and have completed prior to the 2009 UK
National Championships.
AHPC Viper (AUS)
Greg Goodall has produced this F16, and joins his stable which
includes the Capricorn, Tool & Taipan
VWM Blade (USA)Probably the most popular F16 outside of the UK. It has a proven track record winning the 2007 Global Challenge and 2nd & 3rd positions during the 08 Global Challenge.
The Falcon (USA)Designed and built by Matt Mc Donald aka Vector Works Marrine (VWM) The newest F16 only having been unveiled at the Tradewind Regatta in Jan 09
The Stealth (GBR)
Designed and built by John Pierce (Stealth marine)
This years winner of the Global Challenge.
Stealth Marine carbon mast and Landenberger main and spi.
The MosquitoNot originally designed as a F16 but fits in with the Box Rule, not very common in Europe but there are quite a few of them in SA and AUS
FCA Blade (AUS)Built by Formula Catamarans Australia and designed by Phill Brander, comes with a Alloy superwing mast and I have one for Sale right now
Taipan
(AUS)Originally designed and built by AHPC as a one design but with a spi it's a
very competitive F16. When seen in the flesh you can understand how
the Capricorn came off the same drawing board
MP-Multihulls
MP-Multihulls is dedicated to promoting the virtues of the F16 Catamaran.
The F16 Catamaran Class began when three like minded Cat sailors from three different continents got talking on a popular forum. This was way back in 2001. Since then the Class has grown steadily and builders from the UK, USA and AUS are producing some of the best looking, lightest and fastest catamarans on the market.
F16 Catamarans can be raced both in single handed or double handed modes. They are that light, controllable and versatile.
Because they are a Formula Cat F16's can be tailored to suit each individuals need as long as they stay within the box rule of platform size, min weight and max sail area. The rules are basically that simple.
The F16 Catamaran Class began when three like minded Cat sailors from three different continents got talking on a popular forum. This was way back in 2001. Since then the Class has grown steadily and builders from the UK, USA and AUS are producing some of the best looking, lightest and fastest catamarans on the market.
F16 Catamarans can be raced both in single handed or double handed modes. They are that light, controllable and versatile.
Because they are a Formula Cat F16's can be tailored to suit each individuals need as long as they stay within the box rule of platform size, min weight and max sail area. The rules are basically that simple.
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