Actually yes, the Hobie Tiger does qualify as an F-18...BUT there is a Hobie Tiger class that uses a different set of rules than F18. This Hobie Tiger Worlds was for that HCA one design class. To prevent some future confusion...also note that the NACRA F18 Worlds that will be held in Michigan later this year is also a TOTALLY different animal that the F18 Worlds ....you thought the Tiger / F18 relationship was confusing? Nacra named their F18 qualifying boat "F18". boogada boogada. If you sail a Hobie Tiger you can participate in the F18 Worlds AND the Hobie Tiger Worlds...same for Nacra. I'm not sure if other F18 compliant manufacturers have a one design status within ISAF and/or have "Worlds" events.

So here we have it:

--"F18" encompasses several different brands of boats that are built to a single rule

--"Hobie Tiger" is one of the F18 boats but has it's on separate class rules.

--"Nacra F18" is also one of the F18 boats but it's class rules closely mirror F18 rules.