Mary,

I weigh 155 lbs. and when I first got my A-boat, I thought it would be tough to sail in breeze. Now my opinion is that it is the easiest boat to sail. Here's why:

1. Upwind in a big blow, just drop the traveller and it's amazing how quiet and controllable the boat becomes.
2. Downwind, you can easily depower the boat by sailing deep and due to the light weight, it just does not want to bury the bows. The Flyer and Auscat Mk. V are amazing in big chop and seas and while I have never sailed one in a blow the Marstrom owners tell me the same about that boat.
3. One advantage to this class is the boat only has to comply with three rules, 165 lb. minimum weight, 7.5' maximum beam, and 150 ft2 maximum sail area. So technically, a Hobie Wave and Hobie 14 are A-cats also! The point is a very light woman could have a high wind sail built and race with it. It would be easy to do by just shortening the foot of the sail and making the sail more high aspect.

C'mon girls,what are you waiting for? Check us out at the Tradewinds Regatta this January!