**** and is almost evangelical about the J/24.

My two cents of anecdotal experience...

Taipan 4.9, cat rigged, solo sailed with 17 sq. meter chute vs. fully crewed, regionally competetive Melges 24.

Wind 10-12 knots, flat water.

On a half mile or so windward leg, I was pointing about 7 degrees lower than he was and had a 200 yard lead by the top mark. By the look on his face and the way he invited me to see how I did going downwind, I'd say he was trying. On the down windleg, I was running 175 degrees true and 85 degrees apparent. He gave up before we got to the bottom mark. Surprisingly, he's still my friend.

I race J/24s too and the tactics and one-design fleet size make them fun to race, but boat to boat....no chance.

Jeff.