The FX-1 has not achieved "critical mass" in the US, despite having been around for at least 5 or 6 years.

So, at least for the shorter term (which may be forever), your option for racing is going to be handicap. On Portsmouth numbers, it rates slightly slower than the NACRA F17 (68.6 vs. 66.7 - for comparison, an F-18 rates 62.4).

No singlehanded one-design catamaran is dominant in the upper Midwest, with the exception of the NACRA F17 in Michigan. That's a long drive for you, Karl.

The FX-1 costs about twice as much ($13,500 MSRP) as a good, used H-17 and half as much as a new A-cat. The F17's price is going up because of its carbon mast, but the dealer in Michigan has a couple of used ones for under $10K.

I know: decisions, decisions. I'm having the same angst over buying a new singlehanded boat. There just aren't that many options in our area.