I started out sailing cats singlehanded 25 years ago on a Catapult. Moved on to a Dart 18, when my sons were old enough to crew. On to the Dart Hawk, and then when the sons got their own cats, I moved to the lighter Spitfire and had some light girls crewing for me. Now my crew has finished college and may not be available all the time, and I'm not sure that I want to commit to attending all the events in a season, so I am going singlehanded once again and only have myself to answer to. The Spitfire has been sold and I am picking up my Shadow in September. I have decided not to go for an "A" because of having to drop the mast after every sail, and not being able to leave the boat unattended on the beach, even for a minute, between races, if there is any wind at all. Also I like having a spinnaker.
One of my sons is probably about to buy an "A", but I feel that the Shadow suits me better.