From the view of a german sailor it is not easy to step into the F16 class.
First point is to get an affordable F16 cat. Yes the Blade and other F16 cats offer big value for money, but even then, who is able to spend 13.000 EUR just for a hobby? These days are economical difficult with rising prices for energy and living and money isn't spent careless.

We have no second hand market with cheap boats for beginners like other classes. This will change in the future, but some sailors have to step into new boats first.

There was no major company with good reputation and aftermarket service offering cats. The F16 class is more seen as a development class where some have to bulid his cat by hand and tweak around. This is not for everyone, who wants just to sail a well engineerd cat after work, or at weekends.
This year AHPC will bring the Viper to the german market, but it will last a while till some cats are sold.

In northern germany even other classes have problems at regattas for a decent amount of boats at the start.
The A class plans to cooperate with Denmark to get enough boats at regattas.
The F18 struggles to get 10 boats for the ranking list regattas. They plan to attract new sailors at a major regatta, that every owner has to bring a newbie under 30years old, which causes some rumor under the old hands.
It is an inventive or desperately attempt to get some attraction to the class.

So far open class racing is the future to the F16s in Germany. And showing up there will be my part for a good pr to the class. So far everyone who has seen my Blade liked the shape and this is a good start to arise more interest.

Nevertheless i do not regret the investment in my Blade and had some memorable runs e.g when the Blade accelerated to speed. Can't wait till next season starts.

Now I'll grab my kayak and go as canoeist on the Elbe. Cant live without watersport...
Have a look at the attachment, it was shot sylvester, a nice way to finalise the year on the water