Thanks, everyone, but perhaps I've mistated my actual question when I wrote, "Is it normal..." Yes, I know that cats are a trifle finicky about tacking, and I do regularly apply the techniques of using the jib to come around and/or backwinding when necessary.

But my real question is still this: Are you guys ever out in conditions where you personally, after applying your best effort and technique from years of cat sailing, find that you simply can't tack and have to jibe instead? Are there indeed "tackless" days or conditions?

Not looking for a treatise on the "how to" of the subject, but just wonderin' if I'm in a class by myself or not...

Thanks,
Kevin