Ken H

Thanks for the posts.

In Pic #1, of the F 17 series,..what a great shot!

Of the 3 boats, 2 cannot be seen because they are in a trough,...what great sailing conditions!

The boat in the background and the 17's masthead birdie suggest this to be the downwing mark,...correct?

In these conditions, 20+ wind and 3+ waves, the non spin 17 really comes alive,..it hits max very fast,....I wonder if they tried to hoist the spin ( probaly not..)

Anyway, this is a case for a smaller mainsail. The 'R' with the taller mast and 170 sf main was probaly a handful upwind.

I went to a 150 sf main , and in these conditions ( which is normal down here),..the 17 rockets and one nevere touches the mainsheet upwind,...you just scream as the 17 slices thru the waves at full throttle.

I wonder if any 17 participants are out there to tell us thier stories?

..anyway, great posts and pics,....and great sailing!

Bruce
I-17
St. Croix
US Virgin Islands