Hi Mark,

I think people would choose the Spitfire over F18 because of crew weight limits. Ditto for 2-up F16. F18 requires minimum crew weight of 150kg to use the larger sails without added penalty weight. While there is an overlap, the Spitfire (and F16) is probably the best option for the lighter crew looking for fun. Interestingly, LodayWhite have announced plans to launch an F18 this year. That should be very interesting, at least in the UK / Europe.

As for the 2-sail / 2-man cat scene in UK, Dart 18 was a stronghold, but it is slowly declining. I think most attrition is towards F18. There's still a hard-core of Dart sailors though, who like the one-design aspect, the great circuit of class events, and dare I say the 'simple' nature of the boats that in their opinion tests the sailors' skills rather than those of the technology. Those of us who have helmed from the wire, flying a hull and the kite, know what the Dartists are missing, as they lay on their front beams inching downwind... and we would not swap for the world!

As a recreational user, I'd go for the smaller, lighter boats. They are as fast as the F18s to every practical intent. While club racing, my Spitfire would often be in front of the club F18s. When I jumped on an F18 at the Nationals (crewing) I was in pretty much the same position relative to people of my skills (i.e. in a group a long way behind the good sailors!) but my point is that my position was due to relative skill rather than the boat.

I also found I could sail the Spitfire in 'silly' conditions, as like the F16s, the power is easily controlled. Which leaves the practical issues as a differentiator, and I'd rather lug 130kg (Spitfire) or 110kg (for a good F16) around the beach than 180kg for an F18. Can't leave that without saying that 99kg for the Shadow is fantastic! Maybe I am just getting old.