An A Class is 200mm (8") narrower, 300mm (12") longer, roughly 30kg (66lbs) lighter and mainsail area 2.25m smaller although the mast is 600m (24") longer. Why is it that a Cat rigged F16 is roughly 10% slower upwind?
I ask this question as last week it was astonishing at the speed at which an 'A' was passing me upwind. There was flat water and 10mph of wind speed we were both on the wire and the 'A' was capable of pointing a few degrees higher at times and yet still power past.
We are both decent Club Sailors with over 12yrs Cat sailing experience between us and I'm possibly 5kg lighter at 64-65kgs.
If anybody could break these stats down and come up with a reasonable conclusion/ solution I would be most grateful, or is it purely down to the different aspect ratios of the mainsails.