Colin, I have owned an A Class since December and couldn't be happier. This boat has an incredible FUN factor. It turns like a go cart, accelerates instantly and keeps up with everybody until the spinnakers come out. The main thing making my decision on this platform was, and is, TOB (time on boat). When I have an hour or two in she goes. No calls to round up crew or muscle to get launched. Our launch site isn't the easiest but I can do it myself at the ripe old age of 50. These boats are no slouches for distance races either. I have done 20 and 40 milers and felt darn good afterward compared to crewing on what we now refer to as "the heavies". My two cents. Ed