The Auscat warranty is based upon regular use with a crew weight not exceeding 120 kg (264 lb). I think Greg and Jim do this to set some limit on common sense use with the boat. Greg and Jim both have technical backgrounds and be assured that there is a conservative safety factor built into that number. I base that observation on the condition of 4-8 year old Auscats I have personally seen sailing.

In mentioning my girlfriend, I weigh 160 lbs and she weighs 130 lbs so I do not feel we are endangering the boat (it sails quite well with the both of us on it). It's also the perfect platform for Dad to take 1-2 kids out on in light to moderate air. I have given my girlfriend's son some big thrills in 10-15 knots (now he'll never sail 420's, Lasers, or Sunfish).

Again, remember it is a high performance racing platform intended for singlehanded racing. I find people's comments interesting when they say the boat is too fragile for carrying 2 kids and the wife and doing loaded beach landings. That is not the design intent of the boat. In a similar vein, I could say the I-20 is a fragile boat because I have seen platforms and masts broken up in the surf during the Worrell 1000 but we all know that big surf sailing is not really the design intent of that boat, right?????