Thanks Matt. All of that is certainly true (the boat wasn't intended to be raced). These were just my observations after racing. Pleasure sailing would certainly be different.

This was an old boat with the tiller in front of the sheet. Still wanted a stick so I could go forward (H16 habit?).

It was blowing 20 plus in one of the races, and it was like taking a nap going to C mark. Dead downwind they told me. Every time I tried to surf, I ended up sailing on a higher angle and lost distance to the DDW folks.

Upwind was crazy! Only problem was my weight, I can't point as high as the light guys, and I kept stuffing the front crossbar (hard) into the waves. I was still very close to the leaders at the weather mark (even though I started late and footed like a madman).

I'm seriously considering buying one of these so I can sail with Hunter (3.5 years old now). He loved the H16 last year, but made me too nervous (he likes to go to the leeward side and look at the water no matter how fast we're going).

Mike