I really have to get back to running some more simulations and writing reports (my reqular day occupation), but I want to glarify this misunderstanding up.

You can't not have a higher aspect sail on a F16 as the boats already have, unless you are prepared to remove sail area. That is because the max sail area, max luff length and max mast height are all limited under the F16 class rules.

So if you want a 15.0 sq. mtr F16 sail (and you do when racing in light to medium winds) then the aspect ratio will always be equal or small then 8.1^2/15 = 4.375

Now moving back the F16 rig by 400 mm (= alot) will be an a par of repositioning a 135 kg crew weight further back by 74 mm or 3 inches. or 130 mm = 5 inches when 1-up at 75kg. Not an earth shattering difference, although that sidestay/daggerboard may now really be in the way while you also develope short boom issues.

Now the designers can do what ever they want to the position of the beams and smaller bows but the end result will not mimic the A-cat. The specs and ratio's of both designs really do not match very well.

We really have got to get away from the myths that are created around the A-cats and look at the hard numbers. Simply making any given design appear more like an A-cat doesn't necessarily transfer any of the benefits. The F16's must look far more towards the F18's for guidance.

Wouter