I get this question a lot... Unlike motor boats, jet skis, cars, or pretty much any other mode of transport (with the possible exception of sail planes,) sailing is very intellectually demanding. Sailing a boat well isn't just about pointing the vehicle toward its destination. It requires knowledge, skill, and finesse... not just with the machine itself, but also about the environment. Sailboat racing isn't about having a superior vehicle, nor is it about having strong muscles. Sailboat racing is more like playing chess than it is running track or racing cars.

Why catamarans rather than monohulls? I'm not asked that as much, but for me it has a lot to do with the satisfaction of seeing minor changes in sail trim or bearing translate into much bigger changes in boat speed. It isn't about the maximum speed itself, if I was a speed junky I would pick a vehicle that can go much faster than a beach cat.