| A class: the most international catamaran class #68229 02/28/06 10:22 AM 02/28/06 10:22 AM |
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 285 Catfan OP
enthusiast
|
OP
enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 285 | 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.... | | | Re: A class: the most international catamaran class
[Re: DanWard]
#68232 02/28/06 02:36 PM 02/28/06 02:36 PM |
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,921 Michigan PTP
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,921 Michigan | 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. | | | Re: A class: the most international catamaran class
[Re: PTP]
#68233 02/28/06 07:54 PM 02/28/06 07:54 PM |
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,884 Detroit, MI mbounds
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,884 Detroit, MI | 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. | | | Re: last photo of Nikita
[Re: mbounds]
#68234 03/01/06 10:30 AM 03/01/06 10:30 AM |
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 285 Catfan OP
enthusiast
|
OP
enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 285 | 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? | | | Re: A class: the most international catamaran class
[Re: PpS]
#68235 03/01/06 10:45 AM 03/01/06 10:45 AM |
Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,226 Atlanta bvining
veteran
|
veteran
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,226 Atlanta | If Hobie Europe can build a good boat .....But will they then try to turn the class into a one design like they appear to be attempting with the F18? 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 | | | Re: A class: the most international catamaran clas
[Re: PTP]
#68236 03/01/06 05:15 PM 03/01/06 05:15 PM |
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 337 Victoria, Australia C2 Mike
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 337 Victoria, Australia | 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. 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 | | | Re: A class: the most international catamaran class
[Re: bvining]
#68237 03/01/06 08:19 PM 03/01/06 08:19 PM |
Joined: Jul 2002 Posts: 206 Yardley PA DanWard
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 206 Yardley PA | I propose we exclude Hobie built A cats from open A cat events. 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. | | | Re: A class: the most international catamaran clas
[Re: bvining]
#68238 03/01/06 08:42 PM 03/01/06 08:42 PM |
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 5,582 “an island in the Pacifi... hobie1616
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,582 “an island in the Pacifi... | I propose we exclude Hobie built A cats from open A cat events.Its the same as Hobie not allowing a Nacra to a Hobie event. If open events were closed to Hobies then they wouldn't be open events would they? Hobie events, by definition, are one design regattas. US Sail Level 2 Instructor US Sail Level 3 Coach | | | Re: A class: the most international catamaran class
[Re: DanWard]
#68239 03/01/06 08:54 PM 03/01/06 08:54 PM |
Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,226 Atlanta bvining
veteran
|
veteran
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,226 Atlanta | 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. yes I meant A cat events - but no Hobie A cats. Although I will believe a Hobie A when I see a Hobie A. | | | Re: A class: the most international catamaran clas
[Re: hobie1616]
#68241 03/01/06 09:38 PM 03/01/06 09:38 PM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 3,116 Annapolis, MD Mark Schneider
Carpal Tunnel
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,116 Annapolis, MD | Huh? Hobie events, by definition, are one design regattas. 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
crac.sailregattas.com
| | | Re: A class: the most international catamaran class
[Re: Catfan]
#68242 03/02/06 07:49 AM 03/02/06 07:49 AM |
Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 396 Annapolis Md. LuckyDuck
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 396 Annapolis Md. | 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.
Still hazey after all these beers. F-16 Falcon #212
| | | Re: A class: the most international catamaran clas
[Re: Dan_Delave]
#68245 03/02/06 01:13 PM 03/02/06 01:13 PM |
Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 396 Annapolis Md. LuckyDuck
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 396 Annapolis Md. | 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.
Still hazey after all these beers. F-16 Falcon #212
| | | Re: A class: the most international catamaran clas
[Re: LuckyDuck]
#68246 03/02/06 04:20 PM 03/02/06 04:20 PM |
Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,121 Eastern NC, USA tshan
old hand
|
old hand
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,121 Eastern NC, USA | 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.
Tom | | | Re: A class: the most international catamaran clas
[Re: tshan]
#68248 03/02/06 05:01 PM 03/02/06 05:01 PM |
Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 915 Dublin, Ireland Dermot
old hand
|
old hand
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 915 Dublin, Ireland | 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. The first few paragraphs of this article wil give you the answer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-Catamaran
Dermot Catapult 265
| | |
|
0 registered members (),
175
guests, and 109
spiders. | Key: Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod | | Forums26 Topics22,405 Posts267,058 Members8,150 | Most Online2,167 Dec 19th, 2022 | | |