1. Spinnakers to Gennakers : I think Steve wrote most of the answer down already. The reason for the hybrid name is that such a sail is set as an spinnaker but the way it produces its drive is far more along the lines of a genua. It is a lift producing sail instead of a sail creating drive by pure drag.

To adres to differences in intepretation between regions the F16 rules include a definition of a F16 gennaker in section 7




I think this is the best we can do considering the circumstances.


2. This is a little bit different than how Steve answered it. (steve mixes up Open an Closed F16 fleets). The thing to realize that only full compliant F16 boats + foundation boats make up the (closed) F16 fleet; this (closed) F16 fleet combined with all dispensated boats (either grandfathered or dispensated directly) together make up the Open F16 fleet. Of course the next step is simply open class racing as we already know it; no need to rule on that in the F16 rules. International F16 events and Nationals are by default (closed) F16 races UNLESS specified otherwise. For example the DCC event in 2004 was specified as a open F16 events and for example Spitfires as well as Mosquito's could enter next to full compliant F16's.

Let me give all important F16 class rules on dispensation (of which grandfathering is just a part)








So all non-compliant boats may seek dispensation to race at declared OPEN F16 races/events by appealing to the rules defined in sections 5 and 6. There are two way to acquire dispensation. First to ask directly for dispensation with the F16 authority. Secondly, by invoking (satisfying) the grandfather rule and direct this request to the local F16 class official.

The only difference between dispensated boats and Grandfathered boats is that dispensated boats have a far better change to get invited at big F16 events like international events of large national events. It is more difficult to get dispensation directly as the craft in question must live up to the spirit of the F16 rules and be very comparable in overall speed. Example ; Both the I-17 (F17) and FX-one can immediately appeal to the grandfather status and race class with us. HOWEVER they are not expected to get direct dispensation as long as their class rules are SMOD based and as long as the F-17 flyes a much larger spinnaker. We welcome all dispensated boats (Direcly dispensated and grandfathered) to all open F16 events, but we not invite grandfather boats to F16 specific events while the dispensated boats may still be invited.

The current position of the F16 class is that we'll make all local events to be Open F16 class events. This included events like Tradewinds, Texel, Springfever, Foster, etc. Special F16 events organised by ourselfs are most often (closed) F16 events where up till now the dispensated boats have been invited too; DCC (2004), Inaugural event Signapore, Gulfport championships, Victoria State F16 Challenge, etc. We expect only the very important international events to be ever declared to be for the closed F16 class only. I leave that to the organisers but personally I wouldn't mind racing Spitfires and Mosquito's at out international events.

Last point I want to make is that ; Local F16 officials and Local race organisers have alot of freedom in determining how their event is run and who is invited or not. That is as long as they stay within the general rules of the F16 class, these do allow some significant freedom.


3. Steve answered this one pretty right. Indeed we can only use Texel and ISAF as they are the only ones that give a rating for any imaginable boat. For example how do we het a USPN number for a Mosquito ? There is no base rating we can use the modifiers on as is the case with the Taipan.

All I can say with respect to this point is that the F16 class rules apply and that the local official (Jennifer Lindsay in your case) has considerable freedom within these F16 rules. Eventually it all comes down to fair and equal racing. On one hand I hear that Hooters are noticeably faster than gennakers and on the other hand I hear that they get the same performance modification. Either one of these is wrong and currently I do not know which one. Personally I would love to get my hands on some more real life data.

Having said this, one thing is certain. Any boat with a non-compliant spi (what it is called) can NOT use the USPN system in combination with the Grandfather clause to enter F16 racing. The Grandfather clause specifically mentions the ISAF and Texel systems. The only route open to these craft is asking for dispensation directly. And you have to argue your case with the F16 authority; of course you can use the USPN way of rating boat in this request.

Such are the rules.

Wouter