Most of the uni guys I've talked to are ready to throw in the towel. The feeling is the sloops walk away upwind.
So what is the best vmg for uni? Seems to me that if the sloop is faster the only thing left is to point higher.
Seriously, what are the technical reasons a Uni doesn't go to weather as well as an A cat?
Like Dan said,
Lighter weight, increased water line and higher aspect sail, makes the A a better performer than a Uni F16 in theory. I have raced Robbie a couple of times now at GYC F16 uni vs his A and it has not been very much difference. I attribute most of the difference to his normally being able to kick my butt sailing upwind anyway.
The F16 uni vs sloop (upwind) is a bit different. In bigger wind there is an overpower issue as the F16 has a lot of sail. Until you are overpowered (Pete do not take this personal) the other issue is more related to driver skill. Uni is a lot harder to sail than a sloop. With limited sail area, there is a theoretical advantage to uni. Sloop though, has a jib and that in reality really can help keep you from pinching as bad and provides a lot better and quicker feedback on the wind.
Your comment above about pointing higher is likely part of the problem. Pointing higher is not about your angle of attack. Trying to point will lose you a lot of speed and height on the course. Hull speed is the key. Little things like not immediately rounding up in puffs and doing everything you can to go faster will ultimately place you higher on the course.
