Here's my $.02 as a Tybee 500 participant and past 6.0 and current I-20 owner.

The 6.0 is definitely faster on a jib reach, but does not point quite as high as an I-20 does. The 6.0 steering feels heavy and truck-like compared to the I-20 but the sacrafice you make for the steering refinement on the I-20 is the chance of breaking a casting or gudgeon (as we did on the Ormond Beach leg when we hit a turtle or Manta costing us two hours and a top ten leg finish). The 6.0 with the bigger NE spec spinnaker is faster deep downwind I think, but I think the I-20 is faster overall downwind, especially when we were really cranking. I like both the 6.0 and I-20 and would race either boat, but I'll stick with the I-20 as I believe the overall ergonomics of the boat for the skipper and crew, the feel of the boat, and the carbon rig I like over the 6.0.

My hat goes off to those who sailed the HT. If those guys were not as great of sailors as most of them are, they really could have got in trouble on that last leg to Tybee. I spoke to three of the crews who sailed the HT whom I know pretty well and I don't think you will see them on that boat in an ocean contested distance race again. It's a nice boat, but I don't think it is configured for the rigors of what we put them through.

I think Brian and Jaime are the one's best to address the HT question though.

I did notice that Mike and David of team Lamorak are sailing their I-20 this week in the Great Texas race and not the HT they sailed in the Tybee 500. Hmmmmm???

Thanks to Chuck and Judi Bargeron, Rick Bliss, Robert Onsgard, Sean Ferrell, Scott and Sandy Sharer, Jamie King, Brandy "National Champ" Woods, and all the other great staff of the Tybee 500 for truly great race.

Thanks to our sponsor Almased for the great Protein shake supplements that kept my old body going and feeling fresh everyday.

Thanks to Steve, Kenny, Jaime, Rick, and Robert and all my Cat sailing friends who have helped me over the last four years figure out how to make it up the coast.

I think Carl's idea of a Formula 20 based race has real merit. The 6.0 and I-20 have room for improvement without it turning into an arms race.

By the way, next time I loan you a sail Carl...take it a little easier on me. It was tough getting beat by my back-up main...great job

A special thanks to my crew and co-skipper Rob Remmers who always stayed positive and focused and really helped make the Tybee 500 a great experience for me.

All the best,

Jim Stone
Soul Surfer