>>I want a non-spinnaker light single-hander that compares to F18 over the water. Will not be travelling often.


This is going to be a difficult criterium to satisfy. Even the A-cat is not really well suited to this even though it is the fastest non-spinnaker singlehander.

Problem area's :

-1- No spi, you are (very) likely to loose more on the downwind legs than you can win upwind.
-2- Narrow width. In double trapeze conditions you will have significantly more problems staying ahead on the upwind as well.

At least those are the experiences while racing in my neck of the woods but we arguable have a significant amount of 10-15 knots wind days which is rather ideal for F18's

But sure the A is very fast and with a capable sailor you can stay ahead of most. Just take note that the Texel and ISAF rating are (very) skewed when comparing doublehander spi boats with singlehander spinnakerless boats. This comparison is the most skewed you can find. Under handicap you'll be struggling.

Wouter