First photo of new M&M Nacra Formula 18

this would have been easier

Sexy

More pictures...





<img src="http://www.catclubzeeland.nl/e107_images/newspost_images/nacra_f18_infusion_1.jpg" alt="" />

So this is now the third iteration of a Formula 18 from Performance? The Inter 18, the "old" Nacra Formula 18 and now this boat? Looks state of the art with snuffer, self-tacker-

Kirt

wow those hulls look very ... bouyant.

Well...the I18 was never built to be a formula 18 boat - it was designed before F18 came about. Nacra has gone through a few iterations with the F18 though but the Nacra F18, until now, has had the same hulls.

I liked the old design better, but I guess life would be boring without change.

Jake,

The Inter 18 was designed by Morelli and Melvin to compete as a Formula 18 from the beginning. In the U.S., most opted for the optional carbon mast, and later, larger sails. The carbon masts never went to Europe, not being legal in Formula 18. Those in North America who bought the Inter 18 were racing single manufacturer one-design, as the North American Formula 18 Class Association had not been formed until the Nacra F18 hit the market. The carbon mast (with F18 legal sail plan) was grandfathered into the NAF18 for a year or two, but is outlawed now.

Looks like the resale value of the F18's just went in the toilet. What is this, the 3rd F18 version from Nacra if you do not count the 3 or 4 versions of mast they have tried. You can get a full blown I18 set up for about the same as an old Hobie 18 if you look around. I guess our friends in Europe are driving these descisions but it seems to make it a tougher sell to get things off the ground in the states, where we were just starting to be able to sell the formula concept. ???

Formula = Development = cost = speed

That is the way it is with a development / box rule. But it works - you cannot fault 130 (IIRC) boats at regatta's over here and most of the top bods there.....

People make to much of the lastest F18 models.

Just sail your Inter-18, if you are not regulary sailing in the top 20 % of a competitive fleet then there is absolutely no reason to sell your Inter-18.

There are still enough Inter-18's racing overhere. And all older F18 boats get a new lease on life when they are bought and owned by new sailors or sailing looking to get into the F18 class for an affordable price.

Sadly the US inter-18 have some modifications that puts them out of the F18 fleet, this maybe be hurting resale value, but not the fact that newer model F18 came out.

Wouter

Echoing Wouter's comments and as an existing Nacra F18 owner, I'm not all that worried. Yes, I realize that my resale value drops a bit but I don't plan on selling it anytime soon. I'm really happy with my boat and the speed I get with it. All the F18s (I18s asside) are so close in speed that if I loose to someone on the course, it's because I'm not sailing at 100% potential - not the boat's fault.

Nacra isn't alone in this - all of the F-18 boats currently in production have made substantial enough changes that an owner of a two-year-old boat might feel a twinge. I've seen it happen to all of my friends, but I'll be an owner come March anyway.

Has Hobie changed the Tiger hulls/boards? I thought they only changed the snuffer and tramp.

The hull laminates have been "re engineered" since their first hulls. The original hulls would "dent" on the outer skin (which was very "light") almost if you only looked at it, they are now much more "dent" resistant, and there have been a few sail cut changes as well as "hardware", and spi' chute, and the trampolines are now set up completely different from previous.

Hobie also added lightweight carbon daggerboards and rudders recently too. However, I would agree that the Tiger has probably had fewer changes than most other F18s and this is because they have been at the front of the pack at all major F18 events. They also have considerably more resources contributing to development of the rig. If the Tiger begins to slide out of the front of these regattas, you can certainly expect a new Tiger shortly thereafter.

This is just what you need to expect from any formula class like the Formula 18, A class, and F16. The most active classes are going to see the most design iterations as the manufacturers fight for dominance. But again, like I said before, while the changes are exciting and revolutionary in appearance, the effort on part of the manufacturer and designers is fighting for a 1-2% (or less) advantage on the water. I would estimate that my skill at sailing these boats is extracting anywhere between 80% and 95% (when in our sweet spot of wind strength) out of the boat. Will 1% help me? Maybe...but not as much as going out to practice practice practice with the boat that I have.

OI! TonyFX1 - Not sure that the person that gave you those pics wanted them posted as they are not of the finished article. They were good enough for me and I have ordered my boat for FEB. Started my diet already.

I want one - hmmmm how can I convince the wife that this is in our best interest to have one - any ideas?

Convincing your wife about buying a F18 ?
Wake up please 😉

Convicing our wifes to purchase ANY beachcat for that matter!!!

wont be hard for me...

You have to always present the sunnier side of the situation....

"well honey, at least its not a motorcycle and its something that we can do together! I was thinking of all the time we could spend together on the beach when I bought it."

Just dont tell her that "spending time on the beach" means you rigging, and her drinking mojitos.

Word!

Well, if she's on the front of the boat it's a lot easier. If she aint on the the front of your boat, then you are on your own.

Ding

Tell her it gets great gas mileage and never needs tires or oil changes, just an occasional tune up and new clothes.

Yea It's That Easy!!

Okay, put the shoe on the other foot, guys. How do I convince my husband that I need a new trampoline, sail, mainsheet and blocks? (And I'm talking about my boat, not my body.)

In a two-boat household, whose boat do you think gets priority? I guess this is why guys don't REALLY want their wives getting so interested in sailing that they want their own boats -- doubles all the costs.

Hey Mary,

Make him swap boats all the time. At a regatta he sails boat 1 and you sail boat 2. At the next regatta he has to sail boat 2 and you sail boat 1. Each regatta you switch. That would force him to keep both boats pretty similar and current.

Or maybe like the old cake slicing thing. With two kids the one slices the cake and the other gets to pick the slice he wants. It encourages the kid doing the slicing to make equal size slices. So if Rick is the one maintaining the boats then you are the one who gets to pick which boat you sail each time.

Good idea, Jamie.

Just pirate Rick's boat on the water. I'm sure you can take him

Trey
N20 873
www.velocitysailing.com

Boomer,Oranje Natuurlijke. I've got a T-Cat of that era on the rack now ready for Aviation Orange, graphics coming later.