I have now been in the lucky position of having recently sailed several boats with a view to buying a new boat - and trialled both the Stealth and Spitfire at weston this weekend in F4
My requirements: A cat with spinnaker which I was able to sail single handed in light winds (main or main plus spini) which would still have sparkling performance, two handed (3 sail) in a blow.
I tried the Hobie FX1 - which sailed well (for description see hobie 17 thread) but my major concern was the difficulty in righting it in zero wind solo (fine - but I would nead the security of a righting frame). The Inter 17 was considered but neither it nor the hobie meet my dual handed requirements.
The stealth was a great responsive boat. Single landed it sails well and its light weight means the acceleration in gusts is excellent. (the lightest boat I considered by far) The spinnaker retrieval system into the tramp pocket is neat, and very feasible to do single handed. I much preferred the pole/pully uphaul system outside the spinnaker pole (rather than integral), and I understand JoHn Pierce is introducing a system where the mast rotation can be controlled from the trapeeze.
The Tramp was very new (and very slippy) - but very uncluttered - and the boat tacked well without a jib. I am not sure the performance is quite up with the A class boats, but then they don't give you an option of three sails/twin wire fun.
The boat I tried had the T foil rudders - which on the flat water didn't feel any difference to standard ones - the boat showed absolutely no tendency to nose dive (so maybe they were doing something).
When the T foil rudders lock down pins are released prior to going ashore the rudders tend to lift up - so it is quite a knack coming ashore with one hand pushing the windward rudder down to ensure you are still able to steer.
Also If you suddenly run aground with the rudders locked down life may become interesting .
I personally would consider purchasing the T foils when sailing in chop and use a standard kick up rudders when sailing on uncertain shores.
I then moved on to the spitfire - which was an equally wonderful boat. I noticed this also had the same lightening acceleration (to be fair the stealth may be slightly faster - mine didn't have a jib at time of test and is lighter). It seems to have more buoyancy at the front and felt extremely similar to the Hurricane in feel - perhaps minus the way the hurricane sometimes stalls upwind - but then we turned downhill and all 5.9 simularities ended - it just flew! In the F4 conditions of test - if you don't bear away quickly enough the bows do dig in a little but then pop up without any serious risk of tripping up/pitchpole. I am sure the Spitfire in light winds is managable singlehanded, but its extra weight will make it more difficult to right (the Reg White stable offer the Shadow as their singlehander)
Summary: Both boats can be adequately depowered with loads of downhaul to make them manageable in a blow. Both boats are faster on the water than by Hurricane 5.9.
Both boats are tremendous fun - and sailable by anyone wishing to move on from D16/18 or H16.
The F16 situation in the Uk seems wonderfully served at present. If you want a boat you can race singlehanded (primarily) or 2 up and be at the front of the cat fleet buy a stealth. If you want a one design cat class with lightening speed from an excellent stable (Reg White/Loday) to race with your teenage children buty a Spitfire.
In the Race I watched in a good Force 4 was won on the water by the Spitfire (just ahead of an A cat) .... and the Stealth would have been thereabouts had it not been delayed starting talking to prospective purchasers!
I haven't yet decided - but at least it is now down to two boats! I was pretty certain on the stealth - but my 15 year old is exerting considerable pressure for one design racing (the Spitfire numbers in the UK are increasing rapidly) ....We will see who REALLY makes the decisions in my household!
Huw Thomas
