But I will say this for Macca.

I'm not in the slightest afraid of him or what effects his postings may have on the class. In fact, I feel his contributions are valuable (as long as he posts accurate data). Afterall, it is actually the wolfpack that keeps the heards of grazers healthy by picking off the weak and the sick. Thus keeping the herd strong and more able to fend off any further attacks

I'm also not scared about any "bad image" the class may get from these discussions. In fact, I believe the class will look better when such discussions are handled well. It is also a way to show that the class is stable and confident in her product. It is also a way to show potential customers that these issues have been considered in the class and why the class feels that they have been addressed adequately.

Sure, the process is repeatitive but so is the process of attracting new class members/customers. Many new enthousiasts will not read any postings from 18 months ago. Anybody not willing to explain the class stances repeatedly is not fit for the role of promotor !

I feel it is very wise to get into a discussion with Macca on this forum and explain the case from the perspective of the class and thus convince potential new members of the viability of the class or indeed inform them properly of all issues before they pull the lever on 15.000 bucks. We must not be afraid to loose a few customers if indeed they are looking more for a strickt OD class then a formula class. I rather have them change their mind before they buy then afterwards as the latter is arguably worse promo in the end.

Being secret or ignoring issues that are being raised is actually the worse approach that anyone (or any class) can take. Often this creates the feeling that there is some truth to the accusations. Afterall, if there wasn't then why would the issue be ignored or made secret ? This is negative spiral that should be avoided at all times.

This is also why I strongly believe that both class members and non-members have equal rights on forums like this. Both can bring excellent new points to the table and no class has ever been grown by preaching to the choir.

Therefore I say, lets keep Macca on board and engage him on those points that we see differently or that are verifiably inaccurate. In the end, the interested parties (who are not class members), will respect us for it and most likely consider us more seriously as their next hobby.

With regards to Macca personally, I think he is a very skilled sailor and passionate about sailing catamarans. I also think he reasons from a different viewpoint then us (or the F16 class) and that is where most of the disagreements come from. Doesn't mean that he is dishonest or wrong or that we are; We just disagree. However none of this is important as the world is full of people who think differently about things and there are more then enough people of each opinion to support either stance (class).

In concrete terms. There are enough people interested in an arms race to support and grow the A-cat class. There are enough people who feel that only identical boats can be raced fairly to support the Hobie 16 class. By the same reasoning there are also enough people to support the F18 class and indeed the F16 class in the way these are setup now. That is where Macca and I disagree personally. I see the F16 class as the class for sailors who are more into recreational racing or versatility (=parents) and don't worry much about a carbon this or aluminium that. For truly serious hard core racers we have the F18 class with its tighter controls or the A-cat class for the truly hardcore tinkers (arms racers). The F16 class, as currently setup, is best as a feeder class to either. We take in the enthousiasts that want to make the next step in catamaran sailing and racing (up from whatever old secondhander they bought a few years before) and send off all those crews to the F18's and A-cats that have been infected by the racing virus or development virus and are looking for the pinnacle in that way of enjoying a sport.

This role will suit the F16's very well and provide for enough turn-over to support and grow this class; irrespectively whether the boat sailed has an aluminium or carbon mast.

With kind regards,

Wouter