Gentlemen,
This group defined the F12 as a global multihull class for kids; that we want to bring kids to multihull sailing, that rationality and common sense shall prevail and that low cost, simplicity, safety and ease of assembly/disassembly are good goals, among other things. As a consequence, some measurements have been agreed on. Now we are focusing on minimum weight.
This is how I summarize the facts:
• A rotomolded F12 would be less expensive for mass production.
• A rotomolded F12 using today’s technology would weight around 70 kg.
• The rotomolded F12 would be more convenient to clubs, resorts and some individuals.
• The weight (and other) constraints associated to rotomolding will change over time.
…on the other hand,
• The ply or glass/foam home built F12s are today’s reality.
• The first home built boat weighted 52 kg. Its hull and foils were built with conservative methods/materials and the mast with carbon. From this boat alone it would seem that 50 kg is a reasonable number.
• Light boats are easier to transport and handle. They also perform well.
• Transport is a greater issue for home builders than for resorts and clubs.
Also:
• Rotomolding or other mass production technique will be possible after the class starts to grow steadily. It could take a year, ten years or forever.
• Scarecrow would like to have fixed rules as soon as possible.
• Wouter wants to keep this forum as the decision center.
I would like to offer the following:
• If everything could be planned and calculated from the start and written in concrete, it would be done already. It didn’t happen in the past and it is unlikely to happen now. Instead of chasing the elusive ‘greater truth’, I guess we should focus on how to make the class grow now.
• If I’d build today, I wouldn’t care about the minimum weight, only about the (perceived) optimum balance between economy, safety and light weight.
• It is useless to tell homebuilders that the minimum weight is X. If they want lighter boats, they will build them their way and add ballast only if and when the class grows enough to organize a race with boats of different weights in their area.
• Inexpensive rotomolded boats would be great, but how long will it take until we can have them built? What will be the achievable weight at that time? I believe we don’t know the answers.
• We are not an industry designing a new product; we are nurturing a class that will evolve. It is following an evolutionary path, so things will change over time.
• We can not predict the future. As a consequence, we don’t know what the ‘final’ minimum weight will be, when an intelligent adjustment will be required or who will be in charge at that time.
• Boat weights can be predicted with reasonable accuracy and the entire discussion can be based on one boat and calculations, but why do we have to do it right now? I’d rather have a few boats of each type sailing before taking the decision about the first minimum weight. The figure seems to be unnecessary until F12s of different designs race against each other. I suggest we postpone the discussion until that time. This would give more freedom to designers and builders and will improve our chances to achieve a better decision.
• If for any reason we must decide now, it would be best if the four designers agree on a safe number for boats built with the lowest and cheapest technology/materials they are willing to recommend for home building. Today I guess it would be between 40 and 60 kg.
I'm on vocation sailing with the family, with limited access to the net. It may take a while until I read answers.
All the best,
Luiz
