Hello All, im Kinda new to the cat racing world. Im located in the Groton-Mystic, CT area. This Would be my first time owning a cat but sailed on hobies before especially on wildcat F18. I love the Hobie 16 but weight is the issue im having.. im 130ish my crew is like 185 that roughly ends up around 310-315. Now Is that way heavy to sail H-16 or am better of moving up F-18. Again im looking for racing. i may be considering join fleet 448 in rhode island.
Any advice please let me know

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:) Eriel
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Minimum racing wt. for H-16 is 285 and 310 can still be competitive. Your racing curve to be competitive is 2-3 years. A used H-16 is $1000-3000 and a late model one $5-7000. An F-18 is $5-8000 and a newer one $12-16000. Would seem wise to learn the racing game first; there's a lot to it. Pete

I used to belong to Fleet 448 about fifteen years ago. We are just getting back into sailing and joining that group is one of the first things I plan to do. While I don't race, I can vouch for that crew; they know their stuff. I don't know the mix of the group, but back then there were a bunch of hobie and nacra guys. Someone was always looking for a crew member during races. I crewed once with a guy who was trying to qualify for the olympics, tornado class. He was nuts, but I learned a lot. Join and enter a few races as a crew member. It will help you with your decision. Pete

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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pbegle

Minimum racing wt. for H-16 is 285 and 310 can still be competitive. Your racing curve to be competitive is 2-3 years. A used H-16 is $1000-3000 and a late model one $5-7000. An F-18 is $5-8000 and a newer one $12-16000. Would seem wise to learn the racing game first; there's a lot to it. Pete

I under stand you 100%..im used to mono hull racing farr 40s,melges all big boat stuff lol so transition is gonna be a fun thing to do haha

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:) Eriel
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peterk123

I used to belong to Fleet 448 about fifteen years ago. We are just getting back into sailing and joining that group is one of the first things I plan to do. While I don't race, I can vouch for that crew; they know their stuff. I don't know the mix of the group, but back then there were a bunch of hobie and nacra guys. Someone was always looking for a crew member during races. I crewed once with a guy who was trying to qualify for the olympics, tornado class. He was nuts, but I learned a lot. Join and enter a few races as a crew member. It will help you with your decision. Pete

Sound Good.. Thanks so much for that advice .. Also Dave Heroux (head of fleet)would love to hear from you of fleet 448. He's trying to open up a Multi-hull sailing center in Ri. im just used to big boat rolex series world haha Melges every weds night . Used to sail F-18 with a friend but no race I was a bit skiddish. i current have friends who is racing Ac45 and Ac72

Thanks much again

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:) Eriel
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What about an F16? You can solo it when crew isn't available!

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Mac
Midlands South Carolina
AHPC Viper USA 366
A Cat USA 366
Super Cat 17
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lakewateree

What about an F16? You can solo it when crew isn't available!

I tried looking up the F16 but I Couldnt find the US class page for the F16..by any chance do you know the weight class my combined crew weight is 310-315 lbish. I really want to know more about it! :)

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:) Eriel
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There are no weight classes.

Solo = Uni
2 on board = sloop

http://www.formula16.net/…tent/view/33/51/lang,en/

US Site looks down

At 315, your 5 lbs under for an F18 with the large sail plane.



Edited by nacra55 on Sep 27, 2013 - 04:08 PM.

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Ron
Nacra F18
Reservoir Sailing Assn.
Brandon, Mississippi
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Man I wish I could gain 5 lbs haha.. never happens cuz of my metabolism. Have you ever sailed an F16 if so is it worth approaching one?

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:) Eriel
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You don't have to be at that weight, just add half of the weight difference.

Here's a link to the F18 Class site
http://usf18.com/

Or go straight to the rules
http://usf18.com/wp/wp-co…18classrules20130101.pdf

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Ron
Nacra F18
Reservoir Sailing Assn.
Brandon, Mississippi
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sailingfreak13

Have you ever sailed an F16 if so is it worth approaching one?

No, I was told by several that we were too heavy. Most F16 crews I know are under 250.

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Ron
Nacra F18
Reservoir Sailing Assn.
Brandon, Mississippi
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Well Ron Aka Nacra55, Thanks for the great info... so in your opinion what would be a good start F18 boat..ive been looking at hobie tigers and the wild cats. ive never sailed a nacra

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:) Eriel
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All I've ever sailed are the Nacra F18 and Nacra Infusion. We race against Infusions, Tigers, C2's and Caps. There is one other Nacra F18 that races in the same area but we have yet to be on the same course together. My advice is sail what others are sailing in your area. If that's Hobie, get a Hobie, that way you can compare how lines are rigged. All the boats are similar in performance, they may handle waves a little different and may handle different wind conditions differently.

The F18's and F16's are not starter boats or single handed boats, but you say you have crewed on the wildcat so I'm not telling you something you don't know. The F16 has about the same ratting but how many are at the races you would be going to? The north east is mainly Hobie Fleets, the south east has very few active Hobie fleets. Down here there are more Cap's and Nacra's than Hobies.

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Ron
Nacra F18
Reservoir Sailing Assn.
Brandon, Mississippi
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nacra55

All I've ever sailed are the Nacra F18 and Nacra Infusion. We race against Infusions, Tigers, C2's and Caps. There is one other Nacra F18 that races in the same area but we have yet to be on the same course together. My advice is sail what others are sailing in your area. If that's Hobie, get a Hobie, that way you can compare how lines are rigged. All the boats are similar in performance, they may handle waves a little different and may handle different wind conditions differently.

The F18's and F16's are not starter boats or single handed boats, but you say you have crewed on the wildcat so I'm not telling you something you don't know. The F16 has about the same ratting but how many are at the races you would be going to? The north east is mainly Hobie Fleets, the south east has very few active Hobie fleets. Down here there are more Cap's and Nacra's than Hobies.

ok cool thanks again..yea there alot of hobies around here. again Thanks so much

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:) Eriel
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My wife and I sail our F16 and we are at about 280 combined. The F16 can be single handed, and a lot of folks do. If you take the jib down it rates the same as a double hand with the jib. We have a couple we are friends with who sail theirs at 320-330 combined and still do well, especially in heavier air. They do suffer some in the light stuff. The class website is http://usf16.org The site is still under construction.

I just happen to have one in the classifieds for sale!



Edited by lakewateree on Sep 27, 2013 - 08:58 PM.

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Mac
Midlands South Carolina
AHPC Viper USA 366
A Cat USA 366
Super Cat 17
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nacra55

sailingfreak13

Have you ever sailed an F16 if so is it worth approaching one?

No, I was told by several that we were too heavy. Most F16 crews I know are under 250.

Do you mean under 250 total for two people?

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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DamonLinkous

nacra55

sailingfreak13

Have you ever sailed an F16 if so is it worth approaching one?

No, I was told by several that we were too heavy. Most F16 crews I know are under 250.

Do you mean under 250 total for two people?

Yes, around that for both, man and young daughter or son , two young guys, small guy and small wife. That doesn't mean that a guy like you, Damon, couldn't sail an F16. I just don't know anyone with a size 13 foot sailing one.

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Ron
Nacra F18
Reservoir Sailing Assn.
Brandon, Mississippi
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You're in the heart of F18 territory in Connecticut, with most events 2-3 hours away with 15+ boat fleets. Plus, most of the guys are fun and have tons of knowledge they're willing to share. Transitioning from a monohull to the F18 is easier than to the Hobie 16, having raced both, the 16 requires more specialized techniques to race well. You can get up to speed on the F18 in 2 years if you have dedicated crew.

At 315-320 lbs you'll be competitive on the F18 with a little lead up until ~13 kts of breeze, where the bigger guys start pulling away a little bit upwind. The Infusion carries the lighter teams well. I'd be looking for a Capricorn if you're on a tighter budget, followed by the C2 and Infusion (preference to the Mk. 2 on build quality). Something to note, at 130 lbs you're crew is light but it hurts you downwind. My 120 lb crew is now driving as my 185lb's does us much more good on the wire downwind and upwind, plus I just have more leverage to trim.

We've raced the F16 at 310lbs and found it cramped for us. I think that boat is ideal for