F18 Catamaran
The Formula 18 fleet is one of the fastest growing in the world. Electrifyingly quick, these double-handed, twin-trapeze and technically exciting speed machines are designed to a box rule that allows a variety of builders to manufacture boats that are similar in performance. Fair racing is insured for male, female and mixed crews by using two sizes of jibs and spinnakers, and corrector weights.
Boat Specifications
- max. overall length: 5.52 m
- max. overall width: 2.6 m
- min. overall weight (ready to sail): 180 kg
- max. mast height: 9.15 m
- max. mainsail + mast area: 17 m²
- max. jib area: 4.15 m²
- max. spinnaker area: 21 m²
- Crew : 1 skipper and 1 crew.
These F18 boats are equipped with asymmetric spinnakers and as a result they are true sport catamarans that require a skilled and physically fit crew if one wants to do well in races. However many crews also use this catamaran for purely recreational sailing.
The F18 class is really active and has full racing circuits in many places around the globe. Several thousand boats have been sold over the years. The F18 class is a fully respected member of the main international catamaran classes.The Formula 18 class was the first sports catamaran class to use the identifier “formula” and “F” in their name. In this respect and the way it governs the boats it is similar to F1 car and motor racing.
AUSTRALIAN F18 ASSOCIATION
http://www.ausf18.org.au/
