On 27th March the aquaRaptor F16 prototype did it's maiden trip and the expectation was high of the newly designed hull. All the energy put in the project was more then worth it, the extreme stiff platform put the energy generated by the sail into direct motion. We did the testing in winds from 6 to 12 knots and on the downwind as well on the upwind the boat performed very good. After the testing and photo/video shoot we did see only laughing people on the beach. The positive comments received by the people and sailors is a good stimulance to develop the boat further. Have also a look at http://catamaranparts.blogspot.com/ and www.catamaranparts.nl where will publish more photo's the coming time.
The launch of a new F16 is always something special.
Congratulations and I hope she proofs to be all that you envisioned her to be.
This bring the total of fully compliant boats to no less then 7 ; build by 5 different builders on 3 different continents !
A level of diversity that belongs to a true formula class.
The listing :
Taipan F16 (modified to full specs at the factory; a few of those are around) Stealth F16 VWM Blade F16 Aussie Blade F16 Viper F16 Falcon F16 Raptor F16
Wouter
Last edited by Wouter; 03/29/1004:32 PM.
Wouter Hijink Formula 16 NED 243 (one-off; homebuild) The Netherlands
Re: aquaRaptor F16 prototype did first test
[Re: Wouter]
#207113 03/30/1002:31 AM03/30/1002:31 AM
The launch of a new F16 is always something special.
Congratulations and I hope she proofs to be all that you envisioned her to be.
This bring the total of fully compliant boats to no less then 7 ; build by 5 different builders on 3 different continents !
A level of diversity that belongs to a true formula class.
The listing :
Taipan F16 (modified to full specs at the factory; a few of those are around) Stealth F16 VWM Blade F16 Aussie Blade F16 Viper F16 Falcon F16 Raptor F16
Wouter
AHPC, the A is for "Asia", outsource production of the Viper and Taipan to Thailand. So would that be considered 4 continents?
And also wondered why they build the hulls in Thailand, then ship them all the way to Bendigo/Australia, fit them out, and then send them around the world. The boats would be cheaper if they got the local Thai's to fit them out. And there are heaps of sail lofts in SE Asia and China who make sails for all the big lofts of this world. Know a mate who runs a sail loft who makes sails for 3 of the big name lofts all in the same factory. Send the latest designed sail across by email and they will make the sail at a much cheaper price.
Re: aquaRaptor F16 prototype did first test
[Re: taipanfc]
#207123 03/30/1007:05 AM03/30/1007:05 AM
Man, you sure an AHPC hater since the original guy left(his name eludes me at the moment, haven't had my coffee).
So, I'm guessing you are going to stick with the Taipan for the rest of your life.
OK, so what their hulls are made some where else. I live in the USA and a lot of OUR USA vehichles parts are manufactured in other countries and then imported here. And they are still called USA made vehicles. I agree that's a bunch of crap, but that's not going to make me stop buying them. They are decent vehicles and all of mine have been "USA" made.
Why can't the new AHPC boats be that way in your mind? I've got an AHPC boat and from what I can tell the build quality is top notch.
Hell, HOBIE cat is an American company, but the Wildcat and Tiger are manufactured somewhere else.
You need to loose your hurt feelings and get on with life instead of just beating up on something because it didn't go YOUR way.
BTW, they didn't fit my hulls out in Australia, they shipped them directly from Thailand to the USA and then they were put together......
Viper USA 132
1984 Hobie 18
Re: aquaRaptor F16 prototype did first test
[Re: mikeborden]
#207124 03/30/1007:28 AM03/30/1007:28 AM
Man, you sure an AHPC hater since the original guy left(his name eludes me at the moment, haven't had my coffee).
So, I'm guessing you are going to stick with the Taipan for the rest of your life.
OK, so what their hulls are made some where else. I live in the USA and a lot of OUR USA vehichles parts are manufactured in other countries and then imported here. And they are still called USA made vehicles. I agree that's a bunch of crap, but that's not going to make me stop buying them. They are decent vehicles and all of mine have been "USA" made.
Why can't the new AHPC boats be that way in your mind? I've got an AHPC boat and from what I can tell the build quality is top notch.
Hell, HOBIE cat is an American company, but the Wildcat and Tiger are manufactured somewhere else.
You need to loose your hurt feelings and get on with life instead of just beating up on something because it didn't go YOUR way.
BTW, they didn't fit my hulls out in Australia, they shipped them directly from Thailand to the USA and then they were put together......
Huh? Not a AHPC hater at all. You probably do need that coffee. Just a question on their business case. Especially since I live in Asia and know a lot of the people involved in building boats about the myself.
But good you had the option of fit out yourself. Much more preferable as you can set up how you want rather than how someone else wants.
Re: aquaRaptor F16 prototype did first test
[Re: taipanfc]
#207129 03/30/1008:08 AM03/30/1008:08 AM
MB - I was thinking our hulls were built in Asia, shipped to Bendigo and fitted to beams, tramps, gudgeons, etc - to make sure the fit was proper. The hulls, sails, foils, mast fittings, boom, spin package, jib gear (everything but the mast) were then boxed up and shipped to the US. The masts were already in the US. The boats were reassembled in the US (I remember the beam bolts were marked, so they would go back in the same place) and the masts fitted out in the US.
A little more expensive, but the people at AHPC get to lay eyes on the platform before the buyer. I have heard of some AHPC boats NOT being shipped to the customer due to finding something that was not quite right at inspection time in Bendigo (not F16, but A's). I would think a production manager in Asia would catch some heat if the hulls did not meet some sort of specs.
If my recollection is right, that is a pretty good customer service model. If my recollection is wrong, don't tell me!!! I like the story.
Hans - sorry to hijack your thread. The Raptor looks great. I hope she sails as good as she looks.
Tom
Re: aquaRaptor F16 prototype did first test
[Re: Hans_Ned_111]
#207233 03/31/1010:08 AM03/31/1010:08 AM
Not a bad Birthday present (Old git). She looks like she should be fast but there is still some life left in my Stealth so watch out this July. Even if I can't beat you on the water I'll give you a good run for your money in the bar. Talking of Italy which lake were these photo's taken at as it looks like a real nice place.
