I've been thinking about getting a catamaran (upgrading from my hobie) so I was considering the Blade F16 but I'm not sure if its the right one for me. My weight is a bit less than 65Kg and I'd mostly be sailing alone but Id like to have the option of taking a friend with me every once in a while. The wind here is usually light. Would the spinnaker be too much for me to handle on my own if Im not an experienced cat sailor? I was also wondering if it would be too heavy for me to right on my own. Any suggestions?
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I started out sailing F16 at 65Kgs and had no real problems but then I've been sailing for over 35yrs!
The F16 is far easier to depower than most cats and you don't have to pull the kite in all conditions. Best of all, being a development class, you can have your sail made/cut to match your weight.
I'm around 70Kgs now and I'd be lying if I claimed it's made no difference to righting the boat. However even at 65Kgs, once you get your technique right, you can pull the boat back up in most conditions - if not, you can always resort to carrying a righting bag in the tramp pocket!
What Jalani says.
The sailing of the boat will not be a problem.
The righting under most conditions won't be either, although I would advice you take some righting aid along for safety. All catamarans are hardest to right when their is hardly any wind and the water is flat. The F16 is most certainly among the most easy to right boats in all conditions but at 65 kg you may have some difficulty with the aluminium blade mast in no wind and flat water. In your case a simple waterbag will suffice. Note that all cat dealors will claim perfect rightability of their boats but actually only mean that when the winds are up or the water surface has some waves. However it is my opinion that you tip the boat in under spinnaker in some rather mild conditions and as such I think rightability should include ALL possible conditions.
Sailing with a spinnaker is relatively light conditions, say 10 knots or less, is actually very easy to learn. I don't expect you will have any difficulties at 65 kg in those conditions. In fact you'll find that quite soon you'll build up enough skill to pop the kite in much stronger conditions.
If you are not very strong in your arms then their are several tricks to adjust the boat to your needs. With respect to the spi sheet double ratchets blocks is one of such tricks. Personally I know quite a few of 70 kg F16 sailors that has no issues with singlehanding the F16 spinnaker.
I hope this helps.
Wouter
Thanx for the help <img src=
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I like the internal downhaul and single spin halyard. If you're sailing uni, probably the fewer strings the better.
Hi & welcome to the class..
Cant help you with options for a Blade.. Im sure the Bladies will help out lots!!
Both builders are very nice guys and helpful from my experiences... <img src=
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May I ask where you are?
You can also go to the main index above, then go about half way down the left side forum list, click on F16 High Performance forum, that's where most of the Blade owners hang out.
Tikipete: Thanx I'll keep that in mind
Stewart: Im from kuwait <img src=
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thanx timbo ill check that out
well guess you have the choice of blades.. *smiles*.. or get someone there to build you one..
as already said drop by the F16 forum.. the Blade designer Phill will answer any questions. and both blade manufacturers visit there as well..
Leiya,
I have sent you a PM.
Marcus
Hi Leiya,
As someone who is in the process of buying a Blade F16 I can tell you that of all the boats I have tested the Formula Catamarans Australia Blade is among the best I have ever seen. The build quality and amount of thinking that has gone into all the systems is exceptional. I was really sold when I actually sailed one. The boat is amazing in it's lightness and responsiveness. Marcus has been very patient and helpful explaining all the options and how they will affect the boat. I can definitely recommend one.
Would it be prohibitive for you to visit Dubai and get a test sail on a Blade ?
I think there are 3 Blades F16 at the same club in Dubai right now.
Getting a test ride is always a very smart thing to do when deciding to spend alot of money on a new boat in my opinion.
Wouter
Simon: thanx for the comment <img src=
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Wouter: Trying out the blade in Dubai isnt an option my friend (her name is sarah she told me about the site shes also in kuwait) wanted to try out the cats there but when she contacted the club they were extremely unhelpful sadly the person i was talking to clearly didnt want to talk to me after she found out i was an arab not a foreigner <img src="<>/smirk.gif" alt="smirk" title="smirk" height="15" width="15" /> oh well ... neways I think the blade is my best option and since they have already sent a few to dubai i suppose shipping and receiving parts would be less of a hassle plus who knows i might be able to race with some of them in the future if they agree so thats something to look forward to.
People can be such fools sometimes.
Wouter
Delta Air Lines just yesterday announced new non-stop service from Atlanta to Kuwait starting this fall. I can bring you a Blade, one piece at a time, or you can fly to Atlanta for a test sail on one of the boats in that area. Getting the mast by the customs guys is going to be tough... <img src=
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And you may want to talk directly to one of the Dubai Blade owners instead of the club people.
Maybe you can help Leiya out here Tim, you've met the Blade owners overthere a few times. You must have contact info.
Wouter
Wouter, I think they read this board (maybe not every day) and if they want to make an offer, that's up to them, not me.
She is welcome to come to Flordia and I will pick her up at the airport and let her sail my Blade, anytime. Same holds true for all of you. <img src=
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People can be such fools sometimes.
Wouter
There are some active cat sailors in another nearby country: Israel.
If there is an F16 there (?), it is probably possible to go check.
Make sure you tell the imigration officers that your visit is to see a catamaran, NEVER an
F-16
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Timbo: Thanx for the offer but Florida is a bit too far for a test sail hehe 😛
Luiz: Haha trust me Israel is not an option ... Arab + Israel = Disaster ... not that I have anything against them I'm all for peace and the war is just a useless waste of lives but it wouldnt be safe for me there.
Hey Leiya, you should come and check out the scene here in Singapore. Lots of F16 cats, Tapian F16, Blades, lots of Vipers, A class, and best of all it is a short and cheap flight on Emirates.