Hey Team,

I’ve been following the neophyte threads regarding F16 set up and thought I’d chime in…Here are some F16 uni lessons I’ve learned over the past three seasons of racing.(I’ve a Taipan, I’m 5’10" and 150 lbs.) :

1. Don’t fool yourself, we’re fast because we’re light. Nothing goes on my boat – no matter how trick or innovative- unless something else of equal weight comes off (example :I added a pair of blocks to add purchase to my spin system but approximated the added weight by buying lighter line for my sheets and trimming 8" off of my tiller extension).In my mind, every additional gram makes the boat slower by that increment of additional weight…
2. The F16 takes time on most everything else reaching w/ the kite. Practice douses and sets; helming with your leg on the tiller extension (don’t waste time developing a Rube Goldberg – self steering system- you have to keep control of the helm at all times !!) and an "on the water", adjustable system that allows you to move your block to spinnaker clew inboard (windy) and outboard ( incrementally less windy).
3. You’re already fast downhill ; devote yourself to making the boat fast to weather ! Here are some things I’ve found (much trial and error) :

A. Neutral Mast Rake! A straight stick is fast to weather and a raked stick is slow because raking encourages more "hobby horse" oscillation which creates incoherence in flow over the sails (kills the Coanda effect). But,primarily,raking on the F16 creates helm issues both uphill and down that culminate in rudder drag (= very slow).Oh, and by the way, if you’re raking as a strategy to prevent pitchpoling w/ the kite, you’re wasting your time. The "mine shaft" beckons all who fail to anticipate and adjust with the helm and more sheet tension…
B. Run as little prebend as possible on your SuperWing given the luff curve of your mainsail.A LITTLE extra Prebend forced me to derotate ALOT to keep my boat pointing (again, not sure why). Run your spreaders as long as possible (you can coax one more hole outward w/ the stock diamond wire length).This allowed me to run under 20 on my (old style) Loose guage setting and has made me faster (though I can’t figure out why).
C. Your boat weighs 225 lbs., windage and hydrodynamics are a huge factors when going to weather ! I take an extra 3 minutes rigging to tie small neat knots for my spin pole bridle ( every time your bow breaks deep w/ big knots and loops the drag slows you down). LOWER your spin pole !! The foot of your spin should be no more than 1" above the mast bridle if your pole is at optimal height! Set your luff tension with a stopper ball NOT with the height of your spin pole. After dousing take a second to pull on enough spin halyard to pull the halyard tight against the mast.All of your lines are too long! Trim everything so that nothing drags in the water as you sail. Don’t drop ANY mainsheet when tacking if you’re on the wire – instead move astern, grab the wire handle uncleat and start your tack. As you pass through the dead zone the sail will cross to the new tack and if you keep steering high and move fast and stay on the lee of the trampoline - the wind reattaches just fine and faster than letting off sheet and steering lower initially…This works even in waves. Don’t forget to keep the bows high though!! If you’re suddenly overpowered going to weather, try moving a foot or so forward on the wire before dropping sheet. This forces the lee bow to pinch just a little (again, don’tknow why), and depowers just a little without sacrificing any height (sounds nuts but try it !). Flat sails are ALWAYS faster in the F16! Even if you polished your hulls before leaving the house, take a paper grocery bag and sweep from bow to stern before unloading from the trailer on race day. Wear a lycra splash shirtover your PFD and harness. Trim any facial hair.

4.Buy a torque wrench and check cross beam bolts frequently. Be sure your diamond wires are EXACTLY the same tension and angle (don’t rely on counting the turnbuckle threads) or you’ll have eccentric wrinkles in your main and go crazy trying to figure out why.
5.You gain 3 hours of practice experience for every 5 minutes spent racing. Never miss a regatta if humanly possible…


Your Thoughts?

Paul