Hi all:



We at Australian High Performance Catamarans have been following the discussion going on with great interest.



A. Weight Limit:

The weight limits need to be such that make the boats affordable. We know we could build F16 for well below the current weight restriction (Our 18 ft A-Classes are less than 72 kgs all up) however, how many of you will be willing to pay the extra for a superlight boat?



The Taipan weight limits were not arbitrary figures decided on overnight. These weights were discussed over a number of years, and after many sailors had built their own boats. It is a weight that is achievable using techniques available to the average back yard handy man. It is a weight achievable without going to the expense of carbon fibre masts, booms or beams.



Therefore, we would like to see one of the following weight restrictions accepted:

1: Weighing without spinnaker setups: 103kgs for the sloop & 98 kgs for the Uni.

2: Weighing with spinnaker: 110 kgs for the sloop, 105 kgs for the Uni



B. Lowering the mast height:

Please consider the structural integrity of the masts. Spinnaker setups place an incredible load on the top of the masts, and regularly “pull the tops” of masts. 8.5m is a length that has been used on the Stealth and the Taipan because it is a length that allows for decent rig without the fear of losing a mast everytime you fly the spinnaker.



The Inter 17’s here is Australia were first manufactured with a 9m mast. They had so many of these “collapse” that they have now gone back to the 8.5 m mast.



Let’s learn from those who have gone before us… BIGGER definitely is not BETTER when it comes to masts.



C. Deleting the Performance Equalisers – YES PLEASE!!

We have been watching how the weight of crews effects the Taipan’s performance for some years. Elliot Tonks study sums it up perfectly. Lets keep the rules simple.



Bye for now,

Helen Sharrock

(CEO of AHPC)