I've owned an F-27 and am currently in the process of buying an F-31R. If you are out on SF Bay during the season (Apr - Oct) then you are out in 20+ knots of wind...that's just the bottom end from early afternoon on and continues until sunset and will often go up to 30 knots and then add in the gusts. F-24s seem to handle the conditions fine....but you need to be in foulies because it's going to be wet...and it's not a fine spray. F-24s have done open ocean racing here too - like the doublehanded Farallons and done well. That can be a pretty rough race. I wouldn't hesitate to sail an F-24 in 20 kts. The F-24 is really a do most anything (but distance open ocean) kinda' boat. I haven't gotten one because I also like cruising and the accommodations are REALLY spartan for staying onboard.