Yes, huge weight differences will create a performance gap. I think 190Kg's are excessive tough, as even 20 foot plywood boats are lighter than that. I find the Tornado heavy to handle on the beach, and its only 165-170Kg's (and I am no lightweigh myself). I am quite sure Marstrøm could build the T's lighter, as they are seriously overbuildt today. Just look at how long the Olympic competitive life of a Marstrøm T is today.

I think the F-18's could have been buildt considerable lighter, without being more fragile. Take the Taipan 5.7, a boat longer than the F-18's, but still weighting in at 135Kgs. I dont know for sure, but I hear that when AHPC buildt the Capricorn, they ended up looking for ways to add more weight to it, as they keept on finding themselves below minimum weight.

On the dutch site, they operate with a max width of 2600mm, still 400mm narrower than the Tornado. and 393mm narrower than the M-20.

Carl, in the Tybee, did you race the M-20 first to the line or on handicap?
I just checked the tybee500.com site, and there was a plethoria of classes listed under point 4 of the SI..


If there was to be an active F-20 class, I think minimum weight should be set somewhat agressive, to give producers an incentive to build lighter boats. Width should not be set to accomodate legal trailering width, these are sailing boats, so optimal sailing performance should be the priority.


I know I'll get flamed for this, but.. To get this thing flying, the F-20 class need a Wouter (and his background helpers)!