F16: Viper Blast
From Red Gear Racing
15 year old Taylor Reiss and 17 year old Matthew Whitehead had a great performance against a highly competitive F16 fleet for the US F16 Nationals, ending 2nd only after their coach Robbie Daniel and John Williams.
The F16 will replace the Hobie 16 fleet in the future for sure.
These two kids will reign supreme and you old ‘obsolete’ people on your 30s and 40s (I’m right there) better start making some space for the new catsailing generation.
From optis to the F16, non stop, that´s how should be done from now on!
F16 class needs to figure out what the class weight will be. Won't be a lot of growth until you can get all builders to build boats the same weight.
andrew?
anyway, agree that these two kids are going to be a very big deal. i've never seen such focus on improvement completely absent of ego. i was grateful for the opportunity to race against them.
Not a chance that the F16 will replace the Hobie 16.
I know they are diff kind of boats and prices.
But I said "in the future", and how long the H16 will survive? A modern 16 feet with spi should replace it some day.
As the F16 is here filling that gap, I can´t think right now of other boat.That can replace it.
Hobie should make one.
If a boat does replace the H16 shouldn't it be a non-spin boat like the Nacra 500?
In the future, right from the start we need a 16 foot with spi.
Just look at Taylor Reiss…..
Why "right from the start" do we need a 16 footer with spin?
Wouldn't it make more sense to have a non-spin boat as an entry level for new sailors and recreational sailing? Also spin boats are too expensive for clubs and resorts.
These comments were made analyzing Taylor Reiss performance.
So my points are clearly pointing to kids/teens with several racing hours in Optis, as we have here in Argentina, the steps here are: Opti-> Cadet or 420 or 29er -> 470, Snipe, Europe or Laser, and now (alleluya!) the F18
So why we have to lose this young sailors to 29ers with spi???? put them right away on a scaled down F18, and that´s a 16 foot with spi.
I agree with Marin Vanzulli. Youth should have a decent spin catamaran to race other youth. The spin adds excitment and much more fun which is just what kids need and want. kids get bored with slow boats.