CompoTech F20 PREDATOR NEWSLETTER - HomepageStart.de

CompoTech F20 PREDATOR NEWSLETTER
F20 PREDATOR FINALLY HERE!
After 2 years development
the F20
Predator is finally
launched in 2008. Just
a fun project for
CompoTech designers
at the beginning
ended up in hi-tech
racing machine.
Claas Schwandt and
his Predator No.1
actively took part in
German regattas at
Spiekeroog, Wangerooge
and others. Two
Predators raced in
Fehmarn Rund in the
Baltic Sea and were
doing very well. In the
C z e c h R e p u b l i c
Predators race d
together with Tornado
class in two regattas at
Lipno lake. The fourth
catamaran is being prepared at present. Plan is to have five Predators racing in season 2009.
www.f20predator.com, March 2009, page 1

No doubt about the talent of David Křížek being one of best Czech ocean yachtsmen. He was
coaching Lenka Šmídová at olympics in Athens. He managed to gain great third place in Transat 6.5
in 2007 in series class. Surely it was not his last international achievment.
David is training and racing on F20 Predator. His feedback is very helpfull during testing and further
Predator development.
David Křížek and F20 PREDATOR
David and Jan
Will managed to
win overall at
final race of
2008 Tornado
and F20T Czech
Republic Championship
. They
beat all present
Tornados and
Predators.
David Křížek and Jan Will at Lipno lake, Czech Republic, September 2008
www.f20predator.com, March 2009, page 2

How fast could that boat be?
Speed, speed, speed...
We estimate that Predator could achieve maximum speed 16 knots close
reaching and 35 knots downwind. We have started to measure Predator
speed records recently and our current maximal speed is slightly over 20
knots. It is clear that we are on the beginning. David Křížek, Predator speed
record holder: :“I think Predator could make 35 knots, I am just not sure if I
want to be on board“. So volunteers needed.
Vladislav Ptašnik and Martin Vajskebr, Lipno lake, October 2008
David Křížek and Jan Will na Lipno lake, Czech Republic, September 2008
www.f20predator.com, February 2009, page 3

F20 Predator hunting a whale!
Or the other way round? The later is more likely. It was a thrilling moment when we estimated where it would
appear again. Then it loomed just in front of us and we had to bear away to avoid it. Unforgettable
moment during common training session at spring training camp at Portorose, Slovenia in Adriatic. There
were two Predators and a Tornado on water. We even managed to film the humpback whale on
breathtaking video. Can be seen at www.F20Predator.com.
How we met a Humpback Whale...
Tadeáš and Vladislav Ptašnik, Portorose, Slovenia, February 2009
www.f20predator.com, March 2009, page 4

How does it feel?
ROUND TEXEL 2009
To have a forest of mast around you and watch helikopter giving starting signal? All boats close to each
other and current pushing all dangerously close to start line. Tacking? Forget about it! And you still have
not recovered from shock when getting through surf at beach start. North wind surf capsizes many boats
and breaks mast like children toys.
Texel is largest and most west placed Fries island. It belong to Netherland. Round Texel is the biggest
catamaran race in
the world since
1978. Every year
around 500 cats
from all over the
world.
This year in June
we would like to
send Predator
crews. We will be
curious to watch
them in hard
competition with
Tornados, Eagles,
M20, Capricorns
and other F18
well known
catamaran makes.
Round Texel 2008 race start
www.f20predator.com, March 2009, page 5