i noticed at my last points regatta that two people seemed to be working together to even raise the main, let alone the mast on the 17. thats a beautiful boat and i want to sail one. i need a singlehander on the beach as well as on the water. do you have problems rigging? i would consider getting a 17 (one is available here) if i felt i could deal with the rigging situation on my own. seemed to require a lot of energy. my 14 and 16 take little effort and time to get going when i get off work and hit the beach for an afternoon sail.