Hey Doc,

You nailed it - just about 3kts. true w/ fluky rolling "gusts", to a roaring 7kts. ; yet I spent alot of the day on one hull slicing through the apparent wind w/ the kite !

I know there is someone out there considering the F16 for purchase and wondering if class X might not be a better choice... Hey , the F16 is it - you can't have this much fun in essentially no wind AND have a manageable rocketship in 20kts. !!!!

Paul

source : http://www.taipan.asn.au/News/Manu_class.htm

Written by co-designer Jim Boyer on 20 september 2004

I quote :

"With the advent of the F16 class new possibilities arise for the Taipan, and it is now available in F16 guise with 2.5 metre beam and self tacking jib, ..."

Several persons have pushed for it in the past and some got it custom made but now AHPC officially offers the fully optimized Taipan F16.

It is different to the Taipan 4.9 in few aspects like the overall width, the replacement of the old jib system by a selftacking kind, standard spinnaker and some other mods as well. Personally I see a great future for this Taipan F16 as the mods fine tune the already great boat to spinnaker sailing. I beleive the extra width will especially welcomed when singlehanding.

With regard to your interested sailor, you know the drill, get them a test ride on the Taipan and the venom will do its work. 12 months later they will be the proud owner of a new Taipan F16. Or another type F16.

Good luck

Wouter

GAH!! Being a broke student sucks hahaha, i cant wait to get into the water!!All these pictures from the Blade and Taipan F16 are driving me nuts! Hopefully within 12 months ill have enought money to (again, hopefully!) buy myself an F16.

I have to plan a trip to the continental US and see if I can try one of these out.

Galeo,

I believe one day we'll be holding the F16 Worlds in San Francisco's central bay. If you find yourself in Northern Cal., USA , drop me a line and we'll scout the venue !