Hi,
I am new to F16 class and looking at coming over from dinghy's. Currently compete on a international level but want to try something new and have the option to sail single/ double handed.

I would like some advise on which type of F16 boat I should look at for my size. I wil be sailing out of Melbourne or Peninsula if thats were the fleet is. My weight is 107kg. i know I am probably going to struggle to be competitive at this weight but would like some feedback on which boat would suit me best? From what I can see 3 main options in Melb being Taipan 4.9, Blade & Viper. Is this the case and which would be best?

Any advice would be great!!

Thanks
Dave

Sorry, no help here! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I sail a Blade, but honestly, it's like ice cream; pick your favorite flavor! They're all good.

Hi Dave
It would depend on your budget,but they are all good,The taipan would probably be the cheaper option,due to the 2nd hand availaility,and they can still carry a kite.
The taipan can also be sailed against others in class racing which can be an advantage.The blade and viper are F16 and seem to need the kite to work there magic,Try and get a ride on them and as pete said choose your favorite
Just my 2 cents worth
Richard

Hi Dave,

Being in Melbourne you are lucky to have the option to try all three boats that you mentioned before you buy.

After sailing all 3 I decided on the blade partly because of the superior build quality of the boat but mainly because at my weight 98kg I knew I needed the lightest possible boat I could get. The thought of being 25-30kg over before i even step on the boat wasn't appealing to me.

My uneducated opinion is choose

- taipan to get into the class quite cheaply, and if you want the option of sailing one design as well
- viper to get a good new boat at a reasonably good price but know that you are carrying a large weight penalty.
- homebuilt blade if you enjoy that sort of thing, however I don't think you will save massive amounts of money
- FCA blade if you want the best at the minimum weight.

There are claims that the Viper can carry heavier weight because of it's higher hull volume but after my test sail I'm not sure.

Disclaimer: I am getting an FCA blade, and will be seeing Marcus from Formula Catamarans Australia, on the weekend and he is bigger than me!!

I second the taipan reccomendation. it's a good solid boat, and you can pick up a good second hand one for very little (Mine was $5500)
If you're looking for one to try out, then by all means come and get a feel for it on mine.
(based in geelong, and will be here all the time from now until the 19th)

Hi All,
Thank you all for such quick responses. What are the main clubs around the bay that the Taipan 4.9 sail out of? And when sail single handed at club level does everyone still sail with spinakers?

Thanks
David

The Tapian 4.9 is a good boat and a cheap option, although at your weight, it will not carry the weight as well as other options.

The Blade has more volume and will carry you weight better than the Taipan.

A Viper has more volume then the Blade but is offset by the extra weight of the platform.

Flip a coin between the Blade and Viper (or test sail both) but it will come at a price as there are few second hand boats on the market and they will demand top dollar still.

If your budget is low, then you will still enjoy the Taipan.

I would say Blade if you can afford it, Tiapan if not.

I cannot suggest you buy a Viper, at 25kg over min weight it's just too heavy.

Come sale time, if there are two boats available, one on-or-about min weight and one thats considerably heavier, which one will someone buy if all the other factors are the same. The lighter one.

Richard, can you elaborate on this comment ? Do you mean those boat are not as good without a kite ?

Hi Dave

Port Melbourne has heaps of Taipans, and I think Greg Goodall sails out of there as well, while Bendigo has no water.

Frankston has a few sailing out there as well with couple sailing often with kites.

And check out www.taipan.asn.au for new or used boats.

Regards

I'll be based at Port Melbourne as of about December. Will have the Capricorn there if it does not sell before hand..... Or a 4.9 with kite if it does.

Will look at a an optimised F16 later in the future.

They seem to need the kite to get downwind fast,I can only speak for sailing against the blade,not sure on the viper but with them sharing the same theorys it could be case.As for going to windward they all seem to have the same boat speed,I think it's the beam width on the boats that could make them different I always think it's the nut holding the tiller that makes them go
Just my 2 cents worth
Richard