New lighter 18/Curved boards Class on the making?
Some rumours at SA and Catsailor on a new Nacra 17,6″ with curved boards are up.
With the Phantom Project already in the same line, there are two players to start a new class, the thing is these two might fight for an Olympic spot at Santander in March.
Also this 17,6″ cat has the F20c/F16 shape, so a new F18 can be the goal too, and having their 3 boats with the same looks/updated design, just like the automotive industry.
Although in my opinion the Infusion hulls needs no update right now, this new boat is branded as 17 and they are saying it is really 17,6″ with the clear intention on having the ’18’ name for their current F18.
But a ligther, more rule free class can be created if Nacra and SI are building similar concepts if none is selected.
More info soon. Waiting for Gunnar’s answers on an interview we are making.
Making another boat that is extremely close to the current F18 models in shape, size and performance isn't a really good idea given the possibility of diluting and fracturing the energy and momentum that has been building in the F18 class the last few years. It's a great class with excellent sailors and I'd hate to see something so similar come along and wreck the party.
Just when Nacra had a chance to rationalise their product line (could have had F16, F18, F20) they go and mess it up with another niche boat which fits nowhere and only alienates the classes they need like F16 and F18. biting the hand that feeds them..
Boo hoo… your in a development class in F18. Now you want a freeze on development? Babies…
Actually, nacra want to freeze development, with a one design, one manufacturer class… maybe things are too hot in F18 for them to compete with the new high quality boats like Cirrus and Phantom?
They are looking at the olympic bid boat. This also gives them a leg up if the F-18 rules change to lower min weight or allow curved boards.
what is with the stupid trolls? Why don't you put your money where your mouth is and develop your own boat..oh that costs money
At least they are not afraid to invest in multihulls.
perhaps they want to compete against the iCat (joke). Seriously I'm a fond f18 sailor but i wish the boats were actually a bit lighter. 180kg was the standard 20 yrs ago, i am sure 140-150kg is feasible without carbon or significant extra cost. The issue is how to change min weight and keep the good vibes, now so many heavy f18 are on the market?
I wish they would call it the Nacra 5.2 to be retro cool!!!
The metric system will never catch on!
This looks like it would be a much better mixed crew cat for the olympics than anything currently available. The F18 is too heavy, the Tornado too old (the low-aspect foils hurt it in light air) and the F16 is much to small for two adults, even if one is female.
Unfortunately, after a very successful 10+ year run, it seems that the two-person racing catamaran scene is in danger of splintering into a lot of smaller classes. Hopefully this doesn't happen.
The F18 class is still the best racing class, but the 180 kg weight is now much too high. It is very difficult to lower the minimum weight without destroying the class. Maybe the minimum weight could be lowered to by 20 or 30 kg, and the crew weight restrictions could be waived for any teams sailing an older boat.
You could lover the minimum weight to 140 KG, but set the date for it to happen to 2017.
Then the manufacturers can make the boats 140 KG from now on, but add 40 KG of weights for 5 years.
Following the "automotive industry" will lead Nacra to bankruptcy, bailouts and lackluster products.
Bailouts are already a regular part of the Nacra business
if its a one off for the trials , its not bad , but i doubt it has a chance against ahpc
if it a serious product …mmmmm
why another boat
its not really top end and its just bit lighter then an f18 and just a bit smaller , but interesting indeed.
maybe the f18 class has consider to allow some innovations
otherwise it will be history in some years , and that would be a shame..
Time for the fat and way too heavy F18 to go to the happy hunting grounds.