I thought some of you may be interested in this brief discussion I had with David (Slimy) Elliot.

I received this in an email from Dave about a recent sail he had on his Taipan 4.9:

"I won the Peel Island Race today, in 3 to 8 knots, I super slooped it. [I'm not sure if super slooping is an international term so for those that don't know, it means sailing a sloop solo - Rob ]
Wow what speed to windward and reaching!
The boat with main and jib and 83 kg on board blew the 5.7s and A class away. I almost had line honours but for the Taipan 5.7 with kite running me down on the last run (about 10km long). You should try it, very, very fast."

I asked Dave if he had sailed his Taipan 4.9 Cat rigged with a Spinnaker as I know he sails it sloop rigged with a spinnaker - with two people on the boat of course!!. His reply:

"Cat and kite is ultra fast down wind (21sq m kite) but the extra weight and drag make the boat average upwind. Light air super sloop is faster round the course and much easier to sail."

I have enough trouble sailing my boat cat rigged and keeping it down let alone with a jib as well. I think Dave must have a big pair hidden in those shorts of his!

I could read the rules and try to interpret them but I'll be lazy and ask the question. Does super slooping 4.9 (without a kite) fit into the F16 class rules?

I suspect if the wind got much over 8 knots super slooping a 4.9 would be an extreme sport.

Rob.