Gina and I weigh in right at the same as you would with your wife. We have raced with no problems in events with recorded wind speed off the committee boat in the upper 20s with gusts comming through in the 30's.

The ability to handle conditions is solely dependant on the skill level of the crew. I know people who really should not be out in winds exceeding 5 mph. When it gets gusty or the seas get steep and short as Marcus said I have difficulty keeping the right side up. I race regularly with people though who excell in those type of conditions. This kind of thing carries acroos all types of cats and is not a particular issue of the F16.

To race the boat is most fun for me in the 12-18 range. Powered up both ways yet not so much that you can concentrate on speed and tactics, not just keeping it upright. As far as "fun" goes, that is often is dependant on who you decide to share the ride with. Gina will race in bigger wind, but will not go out for a sail in anything over about 15. When the wind picks up and we are out on the boat, the fun for everyone stops. I have buddies that go out with me in conditions they would never hold a race in and we have a blast. My boy only likes the boat if we are going fast. He will go out in anything, but I have to hold the throttle back some.

Matt