Hi Doug -

I've done several distance races on the 4.3. Just remember that you have to keep that little 'chute working - sail it higher than you think you need to and your speed will be much greater. In lighter air, keeping the boat moving is more important than always pointing in exactly the right direction. Be willing to abandon a preferred heading in favor of elusive zephyrs. You can slacken the spin halyard to carry it higher - in this manner, I have been able to carry the 'chute in jib-reach conditions, which is a dramatic advantage. Fly the 'chute until you simply can't anymore.

In buoy racing, remember to position yourself right over that skeg when trapping. Keep footing for boatspeed and let the apparent help compensate for the absence of dagger boards. Mast rake! Put the CE of the mainsail right back there with your body weight for synergistic advantage.

Clean snuffs at the bottom of the course before you get there so you can control your steering better as you round. The mast is very heavy and stiff - you will be fine sheeting and travelling the main way out as you get ready to snuff to keep speed up into the rounding. I did it like this:

Sheet out/travel out main, snuff 'chute, trim jib for upwind, travel up main as you start to round, sheet in as you round (enter wide, exit close a la Rick White), trap on upwind heading, polish main trim.

Great little boat. Have fun. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />