So what's more important to you Timbo? Racing to win, racing to improve your individual ability, or sailing as a social event?

I think the answer would dictate how you spend the limited time/money you have at your disposal.

Racing has certainly improved my boat-handling ability, as well as my competency in higher wind/sea conditions which could translate quite well into less high-performance craft.

Since I'm too fat (180 lbs and falling) for you twerps on tiny boats, I have resigned myself to adopting more of a cruising lifestyle in the hopes of picking up a F-24 which would be about as "dual purpose" (moderately fast, trailerable, single-handable, and weekend cruise-able) as I could hope to afford.