Formula 18 (F18)
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One-Design Class Type: Multihull
Was this boat built to be sailed by youth or adults? Both
Approximately how many class members do you have? 90
Photo Credit:St Bart Cata Cup 2018 Round the Weather Mark
Photo Credit: St Bart Cata Cup 2018 Start
Photo Credit: St Bart Cata Cup 2018
About Formula 18 (F18)
The F18 class aims to provide fair boat for boat racing without handicaps on catamarans from various manufacturers and different designs within a “box” formula rule and for crews of various weights. Competition between boat manufacturers and sail makers keep costs very competitive and the competition is very close. Racing with upwind speeds of 11-13 knots and downwind speeds of 18-20 kts makes the racing very exciting. Allowing mixed and all female teams to compete on an equal basis fleets makes entering the class more accessible for every sailor. The Formula 18 class keeps offering popular, exciting, safe and fair racing, and also keeps on growing and evolving. The boat was designed for both distance “raid” racing and standard around the buoy multiple race events. There are major continental and world championships annually often with 100 to 160 catamarans entered.
Boats Produced: 500
Class boat builder(s):
Cirrus (France), Falcon (USA), Goodall (Australia), Nacra (Netherlands), Scorpion (Poland), Windrush (Australia)
Approximately how many boats are in the USA/North America? 200
Where is your One-Design class typically sailed in the USA? List regions of the country:
Arizona – Phoenix; California – Long Beach, San Diego, Santa Cruz, San Francisco; Florida – Clearwater, Sarasota, Key Largo; Hawaii – Oahu; Maryland; Massachusetts – Boston, Michigan; Rhode Island – Newport, Utah – Salt Lake City, Wisconsin, Washington – Seattle;
Does this class have a spinnaker or gennaker? Yes
How many people sail as a crew including the helm? 2
Ideal combined weight of range of crew: 300-380 lbs; minimum combined crew weight 330 lbs (150 kg) otherwise carry 1/2 pound lead for each pound underweight
Boat Designed in 1995
Length (feet/inches): 18′
Beam: 8’5″
Weight of rigged boat without sails: 396 lbs (180 kg) minimum required weight with sails
Draft: Approximately 5 ft but varies by type of F18. Boat has two daggerboards which can be raised when in shallow water.
Mast Height: 30′
Back to One-Design Central
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While Formula 18s have enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years, the state of the class today is the result of growth and development since the class’s founding in 1985. F18s are sailed by a very broad spectrum of people of all ages, from professionals to club racers and recreational weekend sailors.
Today’s F18 is a fast, sophisticated race boat. It is also a very stable platform—one that is every bit as fast as other high-performance small boats, yet much more forgiving to drive and much more amenable to the time and budget limits that face the vast majority of sailors. With a minimum of sail controls, together with the self-tacking jib, crews can focus more on driving, boat handling, and tactical options instead of the subtle nuances of coaxing an extra tenth of a knot of boat speed from a spaghetti pile of control lines.
The F18 is not a strict one-design class, but it is a class where innovations in design are subject to strict constraints. In addition to setting a minimum all-up weight and limiting length, beam, and sail area, the class rules lay out the following conditions:
- hulls cannot include carbon or other exotic materials
- all spars must be of aluminum and may not be tapered
- daggerboards must be symmetrical (no curved daggerboards) with a maximum length
- crossbeams, rudder stocks, tillers, and the tiller crossbar must be aluminum
- apart from some fittings, carbon is permitted only in daggerboards, rudder blades, and the tiller extension
- standing rigging must be stainless steel
- sail area is measured by combining the surface area of the wing mast with the square footage of the sail fabric itself (mast sections with longer chord lengths must support sails with less cloth)
- differences in crew weight are equalized via requirements that lightweight crews (less than 330 lbs. combined) use corrector weights
The Formula 18 rule has proven highly successful at building the kind of class it intended. Over time the F18 class has shown itself capable of carrying out the critical balancing act of, on the one hand, fostering design innovation and, on the other, ensuring the competitive longevity of the boats. Today’s stock factory boats from any of the major builders benefit from the expertise of some of the world’s most talented yacht designers. They incorporate levels of technical innovation that are often well beyond those of larger, slower, and much costlier monohull classes. Nonetheless, older F18s have shown time and again that they can successfully compete with the latest designs. Dr. Martin Fischer, who designed Hobie’s F18, the Wild Cat, put it this way : Especially in an up and down regatta with lots of participants the skill of the sailors plays a very important role. This becomes even more important in strong winds, when boat handling becomes an issue. In the F18 the speed difference between a fast boat and an average boat is of the order of a few percent. This relatively small advantage is not sufficient for an average crew to beat a top crew.
Boat Specification:
- maximum length: 5.52 meters (18.11 feet)
- maximum width: 2.6 meters (8.53 feet)
- minimum weight (ready to sail): 180 kg (396 lbs)
- maximum mast height: 9.15 meters (30 feet)
- maximum mainsail + mast area: 17 m² (183 sq ft)
- maximum jib area: 4.3 m² (46.3 sq ft)
- maximum spinnaker area: 21 m² (226 sq ft)
- Crew: 1 skipper and 1 crew with minimum combined weight: 115 kg (253 lbs)
- Teams weighing less than 150 kg (330 lbs) combined shall carry extra weight equal to half the difference between their actual weight and 150 kg (330 lbs).
The most up to date class rules can be found on World Sailing’s website.
There is also a great article in Wikipedia describing the history of the class in more detail.
In case you missed it
2024 f18 americas championship, 2023 annual general meeting, seesaw battle at north american championships, q&a with ravi parent.
Published on September 23rd, 2019 | by Editor
Formula 18 Class: Evolve or Die
Published on September 23rd, 2019 by Editor -->
The success of one design racing rests largely on critical mass. There may be a lot of boats of a type, but if they are not in close proximity, convenient one design racing can’t occur. And if it isn’t convenient, it won’t thrive.
But what if different boat types, with similar characteristics, could come together and race on equal terms? The Formula 18 Class had that objective when the parameters were developed in 1993 to offer popular, exciting, safe, and fair racing in 18-foot catamarans.
The class’ further objective was to keep development under control, keeping it a non-foiler, and maintaining a good balance between cost and performance. By being open to any manufacturer, the competition keeps costs to sailors to a minimum… right?
While right in general, any class organization that has some degree of “openness” becomes open to efforts that try to build a better mousetrap, err, 18-foot catamaran. And once that happens, the effort to offer a level playing field tilts toward those spending money for the better boat.
This all came to mind with the pending launch of the newly developed Nacra F18 Evolution, which according to Nacra Sailing, hopes to improve on their previous boat – the Nacra F18 Infusion – to be the best all-around performing F18, over the full range of sailing conditions for every sailor.
Why do it otherwise, right? When there were no Nacras in the top 20 at the 2019 F18 Worlds , and the Exploder Scorpion dominated with 8 boats in the top 12, it’s time to evolve or die.
Here’s the background on this new boat:
The design program of the Nacra F18 Evolution started at the 2018 F18 World Championship in Sarasota, USA. Morrelli & Melvin Naval Architects Ferdinand van West (2 time F18 World Champion) and Pete Melvin (Olympic sailor) teamed up to sail the Nacra F18 Infusion.
With Nacra Sailing owner and technical director Peter Vink’s coaching, the duo finished their first event in 6th place. Inspired by this experience, they brought back a wealth of data from the event which they applied directly to the drawing board. This is how Nacra Sailing teamed up again with their long-time development partner Morrelli & Melvin to set its goals in this ambitious project. These parties have a long history together, having done many successful projects such as the Nacra F18 Infusion which was launched in 2006.
This relationship also includes the development of the Olympic Nacra 17 which has changed the face of sailing by becoming the first Olympic sailing class to introduce hydrofoiling.
The hydrodynamic characteristics of the Nacra F18 Evolution’s hull shape are completely revised and benefit from the latest design tools used by America’s Cup teams, analyzing the performance of dozens of hull shape iterations in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations.
Since their involvement in the last three America’s Cups, Morrelli & Melvin have invested in using NUMECA’s FINE/Marine CFD software for design optimization. Utilizing high performance computing resources and advanced performance prediction simulators to add fidelity to race model analysis.
Most notable, the Nacra F18 Evolution’s hull shape design, has an aggressively styled raked wave-piercing bow with a horizontal hull chine running back into the transom.
This elegant solution cleverly distributes the volume and contour curvatures desired for each dynamic condition and delivers a unique compromise for both sailing upwind and downwind at different speeds. The optimized foredeck in front of the main beam and embedded beams into the hull add extra sleekness to this design.
There was a careful focus on the platform configuration, which features an updated longitudinal beam position to optimize the hydrodynamic and aerodynamic balance between the sailplan and the appendages. This has been further enhanced by a new high aspect ratio rudder design, refining wetted area, and updates to the hydrofoil sectional shape to the latest developments.
Close collaboration with the aerodynamic sail design of Performance Sails has ensured an optimized sailplan which features the regatta proven deck sweeper mainsail and an optimized jib design tailored to the new mainsail.
The Nacra F18 Evolution will make its F18 Worlds debut at the 2020 Formula 18 World Championship in Formia, Italy, and is available for order with first deliveries starting in February 2020.
Tags: F18 , F18 Worlds , Formula 18 , Formula 18 World Championship , Nacra Sailing
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Nacra F18 Evolution
$ 28,000.00
Description
The Nacra F18 Evolution is a racing catamaran built with advanced technology, sophisticated design tools and 45 years of experience. The primary ambition of the new Formula 18 design was to build upon the Nacra F18 Infusion’s unique pedigree as the best all-around performing F18, over the full range of sailing conditions for every sailor.
Most notable on this F18 Evolution: the hull shape design. It has an aggressively styled raked wave-piercing bow with a horizontal hull chine running back into the transom. This design delivers a unique compromise for both sailing upwind and downwind at different speeds. The optimized foredeck in front of the main beam and embedded beams into the hull add extra sleekness to this design. The updated longitudinal beam position optimizes the hydrodynamic and aerodynamic balance between the sail plan and appendages.
Winner of the F18 Europeans, F18 Worlds & The Worrell 1000 Race!
Standard Configuration
- Designer: Nacra/Morrelli & Melvin
- Glass foam sandwich FRP epoxy resin
- Carbon daggerboard
- Carbon kick up rudders
- 1:10 main sheet system
- 1:16 Cunningham
- 1:4 Jib Cunningham
- Harken hardware
- Tapered Spin Halyard
- Nylon spinnaker
- Pentex sails
- Jib Self Tacker
- Wing trampoline with out kickers
- Fixed Carbon tiller extension
- Shroud and forestay with adjustable turnbuckle
- Foot straps
- Deck sweeper sail
- Adjustable trapeze system
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International Formula 18 Class Association
Official website for the International Formula 18 Class Association.
Disclaimer: this page has no other purpose than to connect sellers and buyers through the Wanaboat® platform. The International Formula 18 Class Association cannot be held liable for any dispute between the interested parties.
Find your next F18 easily with the Formula 18's market page
The formula 18 catamaran bring a bunch of qualities that sailors needs, find your next f18 with the formula 18's market page.
The Formula 18 gauge boats are wonderful catamarans that can be used for a wide variety of programs. From pure racing, to raiding, to cruising.
Modern Formula 18s are advanced, high performance boats that are suitable for expert and demanding crews looking for speed and ease of handling to compete for podiums. The Nacra and Goodall productions are currently the most advanced boats in this field.
But the Formula 18 class also allows more sensation-oriented, discovery or raid sailing programmes to find the boat that suits them.
This page presents the Formula 18 catamrans used boats market , boats of all makes and generations are presented all over the world. You are sure to find the right second hand boat for your programme.
This F18 market page is offered in partnership with iWannaboat.com
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IMAGES
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2024 F18 Americas Championship 2023 Annual General Meeting Seesaw Battle at North American Championships Q&A with Ravi Parent F18 World Champion is Yachtsman of the Year! ... On Thursday, February 2, 2023, as part of US Sailing's Sailing Leadership Forum, the best U.S. sailor athletes of 2022 were honored among family, friends, peers ...
Formula 18 catamaran with gennaker. The overall objective of the class is to offer popular, safe, exciting and fair racing in 18-foot catamarans. The F18 class is a "box rule [2]" class, which means that any boat that adheres to the limited set of general design specifications may participate in all F18 races.This has led to a score of homebuilders and professional builders to design their own ...
Following the bid presented by AUS F18 Class Association to host 2026 Worlds in Jervoise Bay, Western Australia, a voting. More. August 10, 2024 Olivier Bovyn. ... This is the official website for the International Formula 18 Class Association, granted International status by World Sailing.
This boat is a real winner, it became World Champion in 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2015 in the F18 class. In 2019, Nacra Sailing released the Infusion's successor - the Nacra F18 Evolution . The fully battened jib, the self tacking jib rail, the large spinnaker chute, the Harken ® Cunningham downhaul system enables total mainsail control ...
Overview. Using the most advanced technology in Formula 18 sailing, the Nacra F18 Evolution is a racing catamaran built to win - a sophisticated design combined with 45 years of experience make it the best all-round performing Formula 18 multihull, across the full range of sailing conditions for every sailor. The literal evolution in Formula ...
Boat Designed in 1995. Length (feet/inches): 18′. Beam: 8'5″. Weight of rigged boat without sails: 396 lbs (180 kg) minimum required weight with sails. Draft: Approximately 5 ft but varies by type of F18. Boat has two daggerboards which can be raised when in shallow water. Mast Height: 30′. Back to One-Design Central.
aka NACRA FORMULA 18, NACRA F18 INFUSION, F18 EVOLUTION. The Evolution has the same specs as the Infusion but with a chine and raked bow. Mainsail Area: 183 sq ft / 17 sq m ... Kelsall Sailing Performance (KSP): Another measure of relative speed potential of a boat. It takes into consideration "reported" sail area, displacement and length ...
This becomes even more important in strong winds, when boat handling becomes an issue. In the F18 the speed difference between a fast boat and an average boat is of the order of a few percent. This relatively small advantage is not sufficient for an average crew to beat a top crew. Boat Specification: maximum length: 5.52 meters (18.11 feet)
The Nacra F18 Evolution will make its F18 Worlds debut at the 2020 Formula 18 World Championship in Formia, Italy, and is available for order with first deliveries starting in February 2020.
The Formula 18 is a high-performance catamaran that offers thrilling sailing for two-person crews. It is one of the classes recognized by World Sailing, the governing body of the sport. Find out more about the history, features, events and rules of this international class on the official World Sailing website.
The Nacra F18 Evolution is a racing catamaran built with advanced technology, sophisticated design tools and 45 years of experience. The primary ambition of the new Formula 18 design was to build upon the Nacra F18 Infusion's unique pedigree as the best all-around performing F18, over the full range of sailing conditions for every sailor.
Sailboat specifications. Last update: 20th March 2020. The Nacra F18 is a 18'1" (5.52m) double handed sport/beach catamaran designed by Alain Comyn (France). She was built between 2002 and 2006 by Nacra (United States).
F18 Sailboat collection. Last update: 2nd April 2020. F18 is a formula-design sport catamaran class. 5 sailboat specifications, between 18 ft (5.5 m) and 18 ft (5.6 m), are available in the F18 collection on Boat-Specs.com: Sailboats . First built hull . Hull length . Diam 3 (ADH Inotec)
The Nacra F18 Evolution is a racing catamaran built with advanced technology, sophisticated design tools and 45 years of experience. The primary ambition of the new Formula 18 design was to build upon the Nacra F18 Infusion's unique pedigree as the best all-around performing F18, over the full range of sailing conditions for every sailor.
Check out the F18 class catamaran! It is an exciting boat sailed by two people and is the perfect combination of exhilaration and tight racing! If you want t...
The Nacra F18 Evolution is a racing catamaran built with advanced technology, sophisticated design tools and 45 years of experience. The primary ambition of the new Formula 18 design was to build upon the Nacra F18 Infusion's unique pedigree as the best all-around performing F18, over the full range of sailing conditions for every sailor.
USF18 is an organization dedicated to organizing and promoting F18 sailing in the United States of Am. USF18. 3,531 likes · 2 talking about this. USF18 is an organization dedicated to organizing and promoting F18 sailing in the United States of Am
The Nacra F18 Evolution is a racing catamaran built with advanced technology, sophisticated design tools and 45 years of experience. The primary ambition of the new Formula 18 design was to build upon the Nacra F18 Infusion's unique pedigree as the best all-around performing F18, over the full range of sailing conditions for every sailor.
The Formula 18 gauge boats are wonderful catamarans that can be used for a wide variety of programs. From pure racing, to raiding, to cruising. Modern Formula 18s are advanced, high performance boats that are suitable for expert and demanding crews looking for speed and ease of handling to compete for podiums. The Nacra and Goodall productions ...
Boat. 1:16 Cunningham system 1:4 jib Cunningham system 1:10 mainsheet system 2 person trapeze system Fully Harken® equipped Fixed aluminium tiller extension Kick-up rudder system FCS Package & F18 Class legal kit (optional) Sails. Fully battened mainsail and jib Radial panel layout for optimal load distribution
Description: 2021 Nacra Evolution first rigged in June 2022. Sailed 25 days, really fast boat 7th at F18 Worlds, 9th at St. Barth Catacup. This boat is fully ready to race. Sails included are the ones in the aerial shot with the blue spinnaker. Currently located in Florida but likely moving to New England soon.
F18 Hobie preowned sailboats for sale by owner. F18 Hobie used sailboats for sale by owner.
Nacra F18 Evolution. Nacra F18 Evolution. Measurements. Length 5m (16'4″) Width 2.50m (8′2″) Mast length 8.53m (28') Boat weight 127kg (280 lbs) General use. Class Racing ... Do you order for a sailing school or club, a resort, or do you want to become a Nacra Certified Dealer? Contact Nacra Sailing to apply. LEARN MORE. Call us at ...