Mysteres are made near Montreal and are popular on the St. Lawrence river. The 5.5 and 6.0 are available in wider versions (10 feet) as well as with wings and even with a front trampoline. I have seen a 6.0 XL with wings and a front tramp and it was the ultimate party beach cat! Looked like it had the area of a tennis court! Mystere has some used boats for sale from time to time so you may even be able to get one at a good price. Contact me directly if you are interested and need help and I will try to get you connected. There is a huge difference in bouyancy between the Hobie 18 and the Mystere 6.0! The Mystere has more freeboard than other 20 foot cats and a full hull shape so you could really press it hard in heavy air and/or take more friends out for cruises. If you have a place to keep the boat at the water the 10 foot beam option would be great for you.
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<br>My experience with the wings on a Hobie 18 is that they are excellent for recreational sailing. For racing they are faster only when you can trap out on them and still fly a hull and the water is calm enough that they never drag (which happens sooner than you think).
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<br>Good luck, Mike<br><br>