Perhaps only the F18 class can match the A class with regard to its international profile.
A class catamarans are actually built in 8 different countries by not less than 13 boatyards:
AHPC (Boyer Fibrecraft), McKenzie Composites (Bushranger Catamarans) and Gel-Tech Quality Composites in Australia,
Pulsar-Performance in France, Aicher-Egner Technologie Gmbh in Germany, (as far as I know the production of Nils Bunkemburg's Nikita was discontinued), Bimare and Titan Competition in Italy, Balance in Spain, Scheurer Bootswerft AG in Switzerland, Marstrom Composite AB in Sweden, Performance Catamarans Inc, Vectorwork Sails and Waterat in the USA.
Two of the a.m. boatyards are new:
Gel-Tech launched its first A class design, the Flyer MK2, in December 2005 and Balance the Balance A class only in January 2006.
Rumours are that Boyer Fibrecraft will launch in the very near future a new A class, this time a Martin Fisher design, which should depart from Flyer's lines. The prototype is already under development down under. Supposedly the production of the Auscat Flyer will be discontinued later on.
Nobody knows what Hobie Cat Europe is going to do. They announced the launch of their A cat last year, but since Glenn Ashby is now involved with Gel-Tech and Martin Fisher has already signed with AHPC....

The A’s sure have plenty of builders going at it these days. It makes for loads of press releases and PR for the class but I’m not sure it’s the best thing for the class. The down side is that we have so many builders we run the risk of loosing any economy of scale. Assuming a worst case scenario where each of these builders actually gets some market share we will end up with a ton of boats that are essentially one offs. Keep in mind that less than 100 boats are built worldwide every year. All these boats will be priced accordingly (EPENSIVE). Lots of new designs has an upside. It’s just cool to see different design ideas on the same concept. Unfortunately all of these boats are starting to look the same. That is also a double edged sword since similar boats is good for racing. That’s why I am against the hydrofoils.
I suspect most of these new builders are not going to make it. With all the boats looking the same the ones that figure out how to do it cheaper will win out. If Hobie Europe can build a good boat they may have the resources to do it cheaper than everyone else. But will they then try to turn the class into a one design like they appear to be attempting with the F18? Others have tried and failed at that. On the flip side if they can build a competitive A cat for close to ten grand nothing could be better for the class.

Both the A class and the F18 class are great success stories and deserve a lot of credit for promoting their class. However, I think the H16 probably has them beat for international envolvement.

Not that I am an authority.. but in all the years H16s have been made- has there ever been any significant changes? If one were to produce the same boat for 30 years then I would guess they would be worldwide.

There have been a lot of changes in the H-16 since it was introduced in 1970. I don't think any one of them could be considered significant, but collectively, they are.

Superficially, a 1970 H-16 would look the same as a 2006 H-16, but they are different boats. The 2006 H-16 is much lighter, has better made sails and parts, and the mechanical things work better (travellers, blocks, tiller connectors, rudder lock-downs, rudders).

There's been a lot of refinement in 36 years.

The website is down but I was able to find a pic of Nils Bunkemburg design.
Have a look at:
http://www.afcca.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=146

I bet that Hobie Cat Europe gave up to its plans with regard to the launch of an A class catamaran!
What do you think?

Hobie turning the A class into a Hobie One design class will never happen.

I propose we exclude Hobie built A cats from open A cat events. What do you think? Any supporters? How do you think Hobie would like that after investing in bringing a new boat to market? Its the same as Hobie not allowing a Nacra to a Hobie event. A little taste of their own medicine.

Bill

Minor changes along the way - downhaul, main/jib travellers, integrated beams, better blocks etc however the sail plan, rig & hulls are all the same. Anybody who raced one in the 70's would immediatly be at home in a current boat.

Tiger Mike

By 'open A cat events' I assume you mean open to A cats. I'm not aware of any A cat events that are open to other types of cats.

If open events were closed to Hobies then they wouldn't be open events would they? Hobie events, by definition, are one design regattas.

yes I meant A cat events - but no Hobie A cats. Although I will believe a Hobie A when I see a Hobie A.

They'll come from Canada. 'eh hoser?

Huh?


What you don't run an open class for the hobie class boats that don't get 5 boats?

You would have more credibility with the one design argument if you acted like some of the old line yacht clubs that really believe the one design philosophy.

They throw fleets OUT ... eg gone... no start... get a different boat simply because they don't meet the turnout requirments.

What's the philosophy that guides you in allowing a hobie open class at a one design regatta?

Seems to me... You would be far better off by not allowing those guys to race at all and then have them switch to one of the hobie class's that does have a one design turnout.

Mark

Thanks catfan for the up to date summary of the A Cat builders etc, herd to find that info in one place.

Speaking of the H-16 class - I took a look at the results from the Hobie Mid Winters West just held last weekend. They had 39 H-16s racing in the A,B & C fleets combined. I did not count any boats that showed but were DNC. All of these teams had to drive to San Felipe Mx.

Now THATS impressive!!

What drives these kind of numbers? I can think of a few right off the bat.

Relatively (very) inexpensive to race, tow and maintane.
Great One Disgn racing.
Relatively light weight.
Relatively simple rig and platform.

That is impressive. Not surprising that the biggest class is also the most affordable. Just look at the Laser as another example. Not the most exciting boat but the competition is great and the price is right. I’ve been thinking for a while now about getting a H16 to supplement my regatta schedule. Maybe its time. It has to be good way to work on big fleet tactics for the upcoming Worlds.

More about MWW in San Felipe.

I was on a Tiger there, but did look at the numbers and where sailors were travelling from. Most where from Division 2 with an average drive time of about 6 to 8 hours. If you look at just the A-Fleet you will see that about 1/4 of them were not from the closest Division. If you know the sailors you will see many from Northern Ca, Division 3, double the average drive time, at least. There was also much organization involved to get sailors from Mexico City there. There are teams that showed up from Colorado, but I do not know if they were 16As.

Hey Dan.... Congrats on your Podium finish!!

One thing I like about the F-18 class is that I'm seeing more women on the boats. The boats are still just too darn heavy for me though, make it a 300 lb boat and I'm there.

Is this an A class thread or F-18 thread....just kidding.

What is the origin of the name "A Class"? I know there are C Class cats, so there must be a B class (maybe D, too)?? Can someone edumacate me on what the class distinctions? Remember, I am from Alabama....speak slowly.

A, B and C classes came from what we now call ISAF.

The first few paragraphs of this article wil give you the answer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-Catamaran