My experience with my A Cat was that I could beat any keeled mono 35' and under upwind inshore, pointing higher and going faster. I never raced against anything bigger than 35' or offshore in my A Cat.

On my RC27, I generally did not point as high as the monos, but very easily beat them to the weather mark. Worst case scenario was under 10 kts upwind in lumpy seas. The One Design 35 never really threatened me on any tack, but I never came close to correcting out with a -60 PHRF rating.

For reference, my RC-27 can do 14 kts upwind, although 11 kts is the best speed I can do upwind in under hull-flying conditions. Once fully powered up with three on the wire we begin to point as high as the monos and the speed differential grows.

Looking at PHRF ratings from Southern California indicates the RC27 should be about on par with a 68'-70' ULDB keel boat. America's Challenge II rates -78 PHRF.

Looks to me like a Volvo 40' would destroy a typical America's Cup keel boat.