Seriously.
Can an F16 be sailed in potentially wild conditions for a distance of 50 miles in the open ocean without destroying the boat or killing the crew?
I've been thinking about this for about a year or so (coinciding w/ first pangs of middle age crisis I think ) - seems like an unexplored aspect of the sport.
My thought is to sail my Taipan F16 from the Golden Gate Bridge 'round the Farallone Islands (www.sfbama.org/fs/) and back through the bridge.We'd ("we" being myself and another local F16 sailor ,selected from submitted resume's , hopefully someone w/ paid up insurance. A medical degree would be nice...), be looking at a weekend in March of 2006. Our trip would be video documented from a follow boat and an official time recorded.
The trip might evolve into a kind of Time Trial Race for any 16 foot catamaran meeting class and safety parameters and willing to pay an entry ($800) covering costs of safe attempt. The money is held in escrow and paid to the fastest elapsed time of the season (a window of say March thru June).
I'm thinking this first attempt could become part of the promotional package for an annual event on par with Round Texel or the Worrell thingy.I think permits and insurance are doable. Have an idea for a "seed money " corp. sponsor etc..
I see advert. $'s and the possibility of not teaching summer school...But is it possible ?
Thoughts ?
Paul Kilkenny
F16 Farallone Islands Invit. Race
Committee Chairperson
Lessee, last time I out past the Golden Gate--on a keel boat, I might add--I encountered 30+knot gusts, 8 foot swells, gigantic container ships, currents that sent us backwards, nasty looking lee shores, reefs, the potato patch, sharks, whales, pterydactl-sized pelicans, etc.
How about a trying the concept by first sailing from Santa Cruz to Monterey. If we survive that, we can try Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz. If we survive that, we can try San Fran to Half Moon Bay. If we're still alive at that point, we can try a 10 miles out and back from the Gate. Then I'm still not sure I'll feel ready.
Did you read the accounts on the referenced web site? Here's an excerpt from an F25:
Doing such an event on a 16 foot 235lb catamaran would certainly be worthy of publicity!
Whew ,
The silence is deafening in here...I'm guessing this is a kooky idea ?
Doc, we'd pick a day when conditions weren't as described at the BAMA site...
Or, maybe just stick to the cans for a while longer...
PK
I'm game for an "offshore" sail with land in sight.
Sounds more like a stunt than a "sail". Just be carefull guys. 
You guys ought to come down for our annual Milt Ingram 'round Anacapa Island race. It is open to beach cats...though the current NOR states 18'+ and double-handed boats only. This because of a previous bad experience with a H16 in the event some years ago. Race is about 45 miles, assuming there's wind enough to finish prior to dark, otherwise they shorten it before we reach the island.
Mike.