PTP,

Great question, thanks. You know, from all the stories I've heard about how life begins at 35kts, I was beginning to suspect I was a bit of a wimp.

My experience is all on a 16ft solo-rightable cat with a fair amount of sail for its weight. I like heavier winds than most Isotope sailors - for me 15kts is a blast. I know several sailors, who don't like risking a capsize, that won't sail in 15kts. As a fleet, we're organizing a capsize/recovery clinic this spring.

Last year, at CatFest on Lake Norman, there were 5 Isotopes sailing - 4 singlehanded and one 2-up. On Sunday, when the wind rose to 15kts sustained, One of the sailors furled his jib. Two others went to shore and came back out 2-up on one boat. The wind continued to build and near 20kts, One of the singlehanded and one of the 2-up boats went in. I had to trap hard and spill air in the gusts but didn't shorten sail while racing. I did furl my jib going back to shore afterwards though.

A couple of years ago, also on Lake Norman, my wife and I were sailing 2-up in building wind. Flying a hull downwind in about 25kts, a gust picked up the transoms (despite both of us hiking hard as far back as we could) and spun us around. The boat stayed upright (barely) but the near-pitchpole cost us the race. When the wind hit 30kts shortly after finishing, we bagged it and headed for the nearest cove. At that point, survival was our prime concern. Mercifully, the race committee abandoned racing for the day as well.

So, I guess my singlehanded limit is about 20kts and 2-up with good crew would be near 25 (assuming, as others point out, that other conditions such as temperature and available rescue are favorable).

Regards,
Eric