WRX's are almost too powerful for the autocross unless its a huge open course. We did a lot of events at the Atlanta Braves baseball stadium parking lot. The Miata drivers are probably the craziest people on the course. But other than an E36 M3, there wasn't another car I'd rather autox than my 2.8L A4 Quattro. Lets put that Vehicross between the cones and see what happens!

You'd be very, very surprised Brett.

The VX is more dirt track Rally than it is Autocross.

Well I got the tope out on the water today! Hit the launch area at 8:30 and by 9:15 we were on the water

The boat is a blast to sail! I definitly have some little issues to work out, with the windward jib cleating its hard to get much purchase on the jib sheet for the crew. I also need to come up with a better way to secure the jib tack up front, what have works, its just not ideal. Managed to get out solo a little bit as well, what a difference!

Only casualty of the day is the trampoline, apparently I am fat, or the stitching is just old and sunbaked. First tack we go from port to starboard and it split the seam from front to back, yanked it off tonight and am going to get it repaired this week.

Anyone know someone around Raleigh with a heavy duty sewing machine?

Pics to come soon

Great news Ryan! Too bad you couldn't make the Nationals this weekend, but we're looking forward to Catfest.


There's a technique to getting the jib sheet all the way in, or you can switch to 2:1 purchase. I had 2:1 purchase for a while, but changed back because it's less line to haul in on each tack. I cah show you how I sheet the jib, and how to attach the tack at the lake.


Joleen and Howard have heavy-duty sewing machines at Howard's loft in Raleigh. If you bring your trampoline over, she or Howard can work with you to restitch it.

Regards,
Eric

Awesome, where is the loft at? I would like to try to get it fixed during the week so we can use the boat again next weekend, I may call around a few places in Cary as well to see if they can do it - though I am doubtful I'll find anywhere...

Canvas shops, shoe repair places...

Shoe repair, hadn't thought of that, thanks.

Taking it up to a local shoe repair place at lunch, says he should be able to fix it no problem.

Pictures!

An Isotope meeting the One Design class specifications can be raced as a single handed Formula 16 boat. An Isotope with a spinnaker can be raced with crew in the Formula 16 one up class.

Just trying to understand this. I guess one-up they consider the Jib to be the spin? (F16 max jib area = 3.7m sq, Isotope jib= about 4.2m sq // can't race F16 one-up with jib) And, since the difference between one or two up on an F16 is in the use of the jib with no variance to the class or rating, what exactly does "An Isotope with a spinnaker can be raced with crew in the Formula 16 one up class." mean?

It means it was poorly written.

I think they mean it can race F16 if one man on boat, no jib, add spinnaker.

F16 class rules allow you to sail singlehanded with main and gennaker, or doublehanded with main, jib, and gennaker. Although I can't find it in the class rules, I understand that the Isotope was grandfathered in (along with the Hobie 16 et. al.). I believe that would allow you to sail an Isotope single-handed with main and jib (rather than gennaker). I haven't looked, but a jib might fall within the measurement rules of the gennaker as well. An Isotope fitted with a gennaker could be raced 2-up with three sails (provided everything measured in).

There was an effort a while back to fit various local boats with spinnakers and race them in F16 Open Class. I bought a spin but never got around to rigging it. I doubt an Isotope would be truly competitive with a boat optimized for F16 class, but it would be fun to join in anyway.

Regards,
Eric

Hmmm....Isotope with a spin Sounds like fun

If you have an Ace Hardware locally, they make a painting extension that's built more like an Arriba than the one you're considering. The Ace version would allow you to adjust the length with one hand.

The hobie 16? That was never grandfathered into the class! Grandfathering is dependent on your local F16 association.



No way. A jib is not a gennaker. The F16 box rules are really clear on what a gennaker is.

I think FasterDamit is on the right tracks. As I see it from previous posts single handed the ISO fits straight into the box rules (no jib). However, if you wanted to race with a crew (two up) you would want to rig the jib but the jib is 0.5m sq to big to fit into the box rule hence the confusion. Pepin is correct it is up to the discretion of the local association chairman to decide whether or not to Grandfather a boat. Here in the UK the Stealth R has been grandfathered and that has a larger jib than the F16 rules.
I have purposely left out mentioning the Spi as I didn't want to confuse the issue but would strongly recommend fitting one if you fancy racing as an Open F16. Or just enjoy the buzz of going downwind fast but before you buy anything just make sure your mast and platform will take the extra loads.

Well, since there is no local F16 association (as far as I can tell), this discussion is rather moot. I did sail with a Taipan 4.9 once and we raced on Portsmouth. I doubt there are many (if any) Isotopes racing where the F16 is popular either, as we are primarily a local fleet.

I had recalled the F16 rules being more inclusive with existing designs, but I must be mistaken. Too bad . I admit that I don't understand why, since the other designs wouldn't be as fast as a ground-up F16 boat anyway.

http://www.formula16.net/content/view/34/52/lang,en/

http://www.gulfportyachtclub.com/ Come on down! We are hosting the "Global Challenge" in November and there is an annual event in April. Lots of F16s from all over.

I'm sure you'll need a spinnaker to be competitive.