Gulfport Yacht Club will host an A Class regatta April 1&2, 2006. We would also invite the F16 class if there is enough interest from the F16 sailors. We planned to run the F16s single or double handed as equal rating. Let me know your intent at gisco@tampabay.rr.com

Gordon Isco

Thanks Gordon,

We did this last year and had great time. Great place great people. I highly recommend it.

Matt

I wont be able to do it this year.

Everyone,
This is a great event. With Vectorworks so close to Gulfport and trying to get the F16 class moving, this is a must regatta.
As usual, I would figure we will see Matt, Chuck, and Myself. Usually if Rick White can make it, he does. This year Jennifer will be sailing on her A-Cat.
There are a bunch of F16's out there that don't sail and just talk. Time to shut up and show up. If you are interested in an F16 come out to the event and try one out, would will be hooked.

I can honestly say I am very disappointed for the reason that only the few above show. I am looking to this regatta as a make or break regatta for myself. This will make the decision of moving to the F18. I will however keep my F16 for local Gulfport races.

If it wasn't for Matt, this class would be close to dead in in Florida.

Seth for the people that you mentioned here and in your other reply as in Show up or shut up, or a disappointment this or that. I think its best for you know some simple facts before talking.

This year was a really shitty one for myself. I sailed my boat THREE times. Go figure. The main reason was my health.

I put myself in the spot, because as MYSELF, I am sure others had what can be considered more important than any race.

I know for a fact, I sure did.

Maybe we can have a small person to person conversation, I will be more than glad to let you in on my details.

Something cannot die if it has not yet been alive. That means there is still hope. Thanks to Vector Works, we now have a third boat builder for small cats in the United States.

So far no catalyst-type people have stepped forward to get F-16 fleets going in the United States. This is a very big country, and fleets have to be developed at the grass-roots level -- just like Hobie did it. And, heck, just like we did it with the Shark catamarans back in the early 1960's.

You don't have a racing class if you have one boat in Denver and another in Los Angeles and another in Seattle, and New England and Ohio and Florida, etc. You gotta get some regular, local F16 fleet racing going SOMEWHERE.

Place your bets!

Our problems out here in California is three fold:

1. Sailing in general is not popular compared to bass fishing, wakeboarding, jet skis, etc.

2. The Hobie edict has further fragmented the already small group of racing cat sailors.

3. Lack of boats for purchase--especially less expensive used ones--and the lack of any dealer make it hard to get or try an F16.

Fortunately, the F16 boats are fabulous, and the concepts undergirding the class are sound. Hopefully the grass roots will grow. Vectorworks--in their bold and exciting bid for the Alter Cup--will certainly help with class exposure and boat availability.

GYC F16 regatta info.....

The Notice Of Race (NOR) can be found at
www.gulfportyachtclub.com

You can find out who is pre-registered at
Pre-Registration Webpage

So far there are two F16HP registered sailing 1-up. Someone is borrowing my Taipan 4.9 and will be sailing F16HP 2-up. I'll be sailing my A-Cat.

Jennifer

I just read up on the Race notifications and it appears that there is a change from last years events :




It appears that this year doublehanded F16's will be allowed to attend as well. In seem to remember that in the past it was only singlehanded F16's.

With this in mind I understand Jennifers post to mean that 3 F16 crews have registered; 2 solo sailors and one doublehanded crew as of yet. Chuck and Seth are going solo; the doublehander crew is unknown to me.

Mighty cool that Jennifer is lending her Taipan out. Best of luck in the A-cat fleet, Jennifer !

This event is on 1st an 2nd april 2006 so in about 5 weeks time. So if you are interested then start planning !

Wouter

I am thinking about skipping Spring Fever and attending. Not sure if I'll be 1-up or 2-up. I'll also have to get confirmation on the delivery date from Vectorworks .

Im debating to charter my boat to the right sailor.

Still thinking about it, seing how I will not be able to participate in this event.

Looks like we are going to have somewhere between 6 to 8 F16's and possibly more. I have just got confirmation that Hollis Caffe is attending with his Taipan. That is 6 that I know are coming.
Should make a great event.

Seth

I'd like to come up and spectate, doesn't seem likely I'll have a boat by then.

Have Matt deliver your boat at this event ?

I see he has registered himself (2-up)

Wouter

If I were you then I would consider talking Seth into taking you on as a crew.

As I told Bruce Barr last time; you can learn so much on how to sail an F16 right by sailing for a short time with someone who knows the boat and rig well. Even 60 min of sailing will jump start you to the equivalence of several months fiddling about yourself. Consider the jump start after doing a full race weekend ?

Currently Seth is listed as being 1-up; However I don't know whether that is by preference or necessity.

Wouter

This makes :

Chuck Harnden
Matt/Gina McDonald
Seth Stern
Hollis Caffee

As 4 names (crews) out of 6 confirmations.

When looking at these names I say :"already enough skill to keep everybody on their toes"

It is looking good !

Wouter

I wonder if a G cat will be there?

From what I heard the G-cat will in Gulfport. I am not going to say who may be sailing it because I don't have confirmation of that yet. If it is who I think the competition level will be raised pretty high. Also Jennifer I believe will be letting Gordon Isco skipper her Taipan with Mike Hagan crewing. Mike Hagan was the Taipan national champion a few years ago.

As for me, I should be sailing with Kelly Gray. We will be sailing this weekend down in Gulfport getting ready for the season. Gulfport's racing season starts next weekend.

Seth