Well finally the spi is up and running. I sailed with it yesterday in very light conditions and so far I like it.
It's different sailing and I have a lot of things to get used to but first impressions are good and the boat seems to be fast as I expected it would considering the talent of the bloke who designed and built it ha ha. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Hoisting and lowering were a bit hit and miss. If I get it all right, it goes up and down without a hitch but there does seem to be some traps which I need to come to grips such as tangles, or not being on quite the right heading etc., which will cause it to hang up, and plus other dumb stuff like not releasing the sheet from the cleat. I pulled the eyelet out of the tramp in one of my frenzied attempts to dowse the thing before I ran out of water, (Concord) which is being fixed today. I think I need a small turning block under the tramp.

I need to sail as much as I can now to become familiar with the processes and to sort out a few minor details. If the wind isn't too strong next Satdy, (I doubt I could handle anything heavier than about 10 knots yet), and I can get some more time on the water before then, I'll go down to Woollarah and see how it goes amongst other boats, (crash and burn)?

Oh, and the 430 is probably now the fastest 14ft (4.3m) cat in the world. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />