Thanks all for you replies. This is very helpful. Lots of good info to sift through and weigh against what is available and logical. Another problem faced by Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Portsmouth sailors is lack of water access--the place is terrible. A light weight, simple to rig boat is a distinct advantage.

Mark--while I should know who Jim Boyer is, and the name is familiar, I can't quite remember. I like the idea of having a flexible rig in terms of jib/no jib Plus Spinnaker. After 20 years of sailing a 16 and the 17, simple is good! I'd probably want to sail primarily with main only, altho popping a spin sure is fun! ( Don't have that much experience with them but enough that I know how enjoyable they are.) I do sail by myself most of the time--and usually fairly conservatively (OK, OK, trapping off my 17 wing in 20 knots and big waves is really fun) and would probably not sail spinaker in that situation. Would be a good excuse to go to some regattas tho.

The 5.5 is a nice boat--had one (5.5 uni) for a little while but only sailed it a couple times before it umm, went away. Big boat and big stick. I know its an older design, and plenty are around. That would make it a good choice expense-wise, but--a big question is the differences between that boat and the newer designs (T4.9, I17, FX1). What are the features of the newer boats that make considering the higher price a worthy effort? I'm not trying to be flip, but is it worth it for a guy who no longer wants to invest the emotion and time needed for competitive racing? I'm not looking for the cheapest boat--just the best one. I don't anticipate buying another one.

Eric, your comments about the Taipan 4.9 being light and nimble, plus being able to handle one or two sailors is what attracted me to that boat to start with. I had not considered trying to have a used Taipan shipped from Australia--very good thought. The downside is, that even tho I don't really care so much about racing so much, having a boat with some presence on the East Coast makes some sense. However, I don't know how many I17's for Fx-1's there are either.

In terms of a GCat, I've known a few of those boats over the years, but didn't realize they were on the comeback (again). Sounds like an interesting boat, but the likely route for me would be to retrofit a used boat--but haven't seen any of those for sail. I did read the thread about them.

Les, you caught my eye when you said wrt the I17 "for those skippers weighing 210# or more, there is a larger spinnaker available and class legal. Is that something that is available with any other boat. My main sailing is and will be single handed. The only time I'll have someone else on board is just fun sailing, or perhaps some of the short distance races held on the lower chesapeake (e.g., Low Rent--has a new name now but can't remember it). The fact that the boat will hold course fairly well with no hand on the tiller is good for solo sailing ( I know, I know, any well-balanced/rigged boat will do that!).

Steve--thanks for you input on the Hobie FX-1. Isn't that a pretty new boat? I've never seen one for sale (admittedly, I usually only look at the local adds, and those in catsailor). You photo didn't attach but the Hobie site has some.

Rick Overbaugh