... Assuming I had the money to go out and buy a new cat, what would be the best boat for a 250lbs, 6'5" guy, that prefers to sail solo? ... my body frame isn't going to carry anything less than about 220lbs. I am really quite partial to hobies ... . Of course, being a H16 sailor, a new one is literally the things dreams are made of ...
250 lbs = 113 kg
220 lbs = 99 kg
6'5" = 1.96 mtr.
You are right, the body mass index gives that 99 kg by 1.96 mtr is considered a normal healthy posture for a male. So that will indeed bey your minimum even when crash dieting.
I think Robi gave the right listing.
Inter-17R
Hobie FX-one
and
Formula 16's (Blade F16)
But I would strongly favour the Formula 16 because these have no rules regulating any minimum crew weight or preventing you from getting sails cut to suit your body size. Basically this means that you won't have to strap lead to your boat to make some arbitrary minimum weight and you get better performance for the same investment of money. Basically your body size isn't one-design when compared to 96% of people out there so why should your boat be ? The others will think that you carrying OD sails and lead is just dandy, mostly because that will have taken you out of competition. And not many big events will allow you to race in 2-up OD classes when you are 1-up anyway.
With respect to North Carolina, none of the above named fleets are major, but Formula 16's appear to have the best cards for that area.
http://www.frappr.com/formula16classgroup/mapJust how the situation appears from my viewpoint.
Wouter
