I think I'm going to help Wouter's posting total here. I have this friend who's in a quandry. He has a 20' racing cat and is getting frustrated with crew issues. He therefore is considering alternatives in a solo boat. Being shy, he wanted me to go online and seek some advice. Here's where his thinking is.

I17R, FX-1, or Taipan 4.9. All, at this time, would be sailed portsmouth as there is no fleet for any of these boats where he sails. He is not leaning toward an A cat because he thinks he wants a spin for downwind excitement.

I17R (DPN 66.7) is rated faster than FX-1 (DPN 68.3) and the 4.9 is rated at 67.6 as a uni with spin. The first question is which of these boats are faster? The second question is that everything my friend reads about F16 shows the class as a two up with jib. Does this class incorporate a sub-fleet for uni sailors? He also noted that the 4.9 nationals seemed to be only 2-up jib boats. Thirdly, what is the difference between a 4.9 and a Taipan F16? The forum's collective wisdom is needed to help my friend out of his quandry; he's stuck in indecision land.

David
H20 781
(for my shy friend)