MM desgined the Infusion,F16,F20C and now the 17 but they did NOT designed the AC45, I had Mike Drummond from Oracle mailing me on that one corercting a false assumption I made, interview on the blog.

There's a fair amount of chatter regarding the "outdated and not modern anymore" F18 class.

For years now, the room for developement in the F18 rule has meant that each new generation of F18 designs has got faster and faster until they outperform supposedly faster boats like iF20s and Tornados.
The time has now come when the F18 rule is holding their developement back when compared to newer designs like this N17. This isn't a problem, its just that we need to accept that F18s aren't going to be getting so far up in the long distance races any more.
The F18 rule works - its the best racing across the world.

Because that is how the physchy of modern man is, we expect development and gain in everything we do. Car manufacturers exploit this mercilessly and are very successful because of it.

As much as I admire the F18 class, if a better class emerges that will carry the same crew, is more modern, less weight, starts winning races and pushed by the major manufacturers ( particulalry if it was selected as the Olympic boat ) then it will be only a matter of time before the F18's are losing cliental to both the F16's and the new F17.5's

There's a fair amount of chatter regarding the "outdated and not modern anymore" F18 class. Why?
- Because it doesn't have curved boards - which will add significantly to the cost and increase the reliance on equipment for speed.
- Because it doesn't have a carbon mast - which will add significantly to the cost and increase the reliance on equipment for speed.
- Because min weight it too high - which means the boats are bullet proof and last a very long time.

Accessibility, performance and reward for skill over equipment - F18 still offers the best racing of any off the beach boat, monohulls included. The formula is very good and the only thing to be achieve by "modernising" the class rules it to increase the price for no real benefit to the sailor - it will only make the performance gap larger between those who can afford carbon, curved boards and those that can't.

H16's are so popular because their racing is so good. F18's are popular for the exact same reason. Show some respect to the successful classes and what they've achieved for multihull sailing. If you want the fastest or "most modern" go get yourself a 18HT (they're everywhere right???) or an A-class and blow your cash is 6 months.

N17 does look good as a one design. I can't see why'd they'd be interested in starting a formula class for it.

Who know's how much the 17's going cost??????????? My guess is US$32-$35k.

Having been an early adopter F18 sailor...