Epoxy w/ S-glass bottoms came about because of the sailing conditions in New Mexico. The lake shores I mostly sail are a mix of mud and rocks, rocks of varying size and usually not too visible. There is a lake at the south end of the state which is mostly sandy but there are always the old campfire places which are generally a ring of rocks and because the lake levels are not stable the old fire pits become a nuisance. Also, coming ashore in 20 plus MPH wind single handed is a bit much for me at 150 lbs.

I don’t regret for a minute doing the modification because my hulls are so tough, easily tougher than H18s and in some instances tougher than H16s. I haven’t had to repair a single ding to the epoxy s-glass bottoms, all that happens is that the paint gets scraped off.

Individually, I think the hulls are a lot stouter, less twisting and bending.

I may try that.

Pepin taught me a neat trick. When coming to shore downwind, make a pass at the beach, when you're directly up wind of the place you want to land, come head to wind. Once the boat stops pull up the foils, ease the sheets and stand as far forward as possible to lift the transoms out of the water. You'll drift down to the spot you chose with perfect control and no drama.

I like the sounds of that, I’m going to give that a try.

That's basically what I do, but I don't ease the sheets. When they are tight the boat will weather vane and resist's rotating. I get all the way to the bridle and ride it in.

Karl, probably a dumb question, but does that mean you startle one of the hulls at the bridle?

Well, Karl is startling! I stand at he bridle and hold on to the forestay.

Oh cra*, even when i look up the words I get them wrong. I meant 'straddle'.

I stand. If you're sitting with a leg on both sides you are in a bit of an awkward position if you need to do something urgently.