Will I sent you a PM

From the view of a german sailor it is not easy to step into the F16 class.
First point is to get an affordable F16 cat. Yes the Blade and other F16 cats offer big value for money, but even then, who is able to spend 13.000 EUR just for a hobby? These days are economical difficult with rising prices for energy and living and money isn't spent careless.

We have no second hand market with cheap boats for beginners like other classes. This will change in the future, but some sailors have to step into new boats first.

There was no major company with good reputation and aftermarket service offering cats. The F16 class is more seen as a development class where some have to bulid his cat by hand and tweak around. This is not for everyone, who wants just to sail a well engineerd cat after work, or at weekends.
This year AHPC will bring the Viper to the german market, but it will last a while till some cats are sold.

In northern germany even other classes have problems at regattas for a decent amount of boats at the start.
The A class plans to cooperate with Denmark to get enough boats at regattas.
The F18 struggles to get 10 boats for the ranking list regattas. They plan to attract new sailors at a major regatta, that every owner has to bring a newbie under 30years old, which causes some rumor under the old hands.
It is an inventive or desperately attempt to get some attraction to the class.

So far open class racing is the future to the F16s in Germany. And showing up there will be my part for a good pr to the class. So far everyone who has seen my Blade liked the shape and this is a good start to arise more interest.

Nevertheless i do not regret the investment in my Blade and had some memorable runs e.g when the Blade accelerated to speed. Can't wait till next season starts.

Now I'll grab my kayak and go as canoeist on the Elbe. Cant live without watersport...
Have a look at the attachment, it was shot sylvester, a nice way to finalise the year on the water

Hi Holger,

nice picture, but I know how cold it is! Do you want to sail your Blade on the Elbe as well? If not, maybe you think about Hohwacht, there you will find me and my new boat. With water until the horizon, so you can enjoy the ride under spi.
I am planning to go to Rund Fehmarn this year, maybe you will join and show your boat there...

Cheers,

Klaus

Hi Holger,

I understand what you mean.
On the other hand, I think the F16 has a bigger chance where the F18 group is smaller. I mean it doesn't matter then if you buy a 16 or 18. And for open regatta's you're better of with a F16 if you buy a 16 foot boat because you can always sail up front.

Anyway, a good representation of sellers is always important, even if there is only one. So I hope APHC will sell some Vipers over there.

Gill

The winter sun on the photo didn't show the real temperature, it was only a few degrees over zero. Today some ice chunks were floating at the shoreline, but nothing serious like this -attachment.
Kayaking in winter is much warmer than people can imagine, and it is good training for physical strength at catsailing.
My heartrate goes over 130bpm in the kayak and that produces much warmth from the inside.
Sitting on the trampoline in the wind and spray makes my mind freezing at todays temperatures. I envy the florida sailors who can sail the year round.

Next season I'll stay at the Elbe. Sailing at the sea is nice, but too far away from Hamburg to get onto the cat under the week. And a view to the gasoline station makes my decision a lot easier.
I hope to sail alot more than last year, when the Blade came late at mid season, and needed some work to sort all things out. I know the Elbe is a difficult area for catsailing with strong tide currents and container ship traffic but it won't get boring on the water. That's why I like kayaking after over 30 years here, none day is like the other on the water.

Gilo:
"And for open regatta's you're better of with a F16 if you buy a 16 foot boat because you can always sail up front."

If I sail upfront will depend on my skills and if I can sail my Blade to the Texel Rating. The US sailors had a favorable rating with their F16s
but even there times will become harder under the new rating.
With an own trailer in future I am ready equipped to travel at weekends to the sea and meet other catsailors, like Klaus, in Hamburg I am more or less on my own.

Holger,

so you are actually kayaking around 60-70% of your max heart rate? That is great restitution/easy cardiovascular training. I got a heart rate monitor for christmas and is hooked on it now <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Guess I'll have to look at the kayak and consider it for those long and easy cardio workouts. Only problem is that the setup time is rather longer than taking the bike or putting on the running shoes..

Will any of you go to Texel? Both Hamburg and Hannover are only about 450KMs away.

Info on 2nd hand cats: There is a new cat dealer in Holland who specializes in older 2nd hand cats and parts (Not F16 specifically).
They have been buying a LOT of old cats the last 2 years or so for export to Scandinavia en Eastern Europe.
http://www.bnrwatersport.nl/

Hi Tony,

thanks for the link. To be honest, I do not dare to go to Texel with my own boat, I have no experience with strong surf.
btw, we are both from Hamburg, there is no water in Hanover <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Cheers,

Klaus

Sorry, dont know how I got Hanover mixed in there <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
Anyway, the surf is absolutely nothing to worry about (easy) and with enough boats you guys
might actually make for a class (10 boats make a class, 1st place wins a prize (ceremony in front of hundreds of people, camera's etc (IMHO cheap publicity)).

You are joking? Right? I still have the pictures of Mitch and Herbie wrecking their Carbon-Super-Duper-Hobie-Fox-Concept in the surf at Texel on my retina.



Surf and super-steep waves large as houses.. Me no like (yet, at least <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )

Rolf, remember, I never joke. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Seriously though, that was one of the worst years ever and that picture does NOT reflect the average Texel surf.
In '05 Mitch and Herbie went through on the worst possible place (wind and waves straight onshore).
I was skippering an FX-One (2-up) that same day and got through with no problems whatsoever 200m south of their position.

In '04, '06 and '07 there was hardly any surf.

Picture from '07, see any surf?:

I see some white water <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, I have never done Texel, but I really want to! I think it is something all catsailors should do at least once.

Racing at Texel in the first year with regattas will be a step too far, there has to be room for some progression with the regattas. What shall I do next year when I take the biggest race for the beginning? I'll first start locally and am curious how my ranking then is. More decided later.