I agree with Robi and Pete that Wildcat is a well run race. The weather forecast was calling for light winds all weekend. I setup on Friday, and only sailed 30 minutes due to light winds (had to paddle back to shore). Needless-to-say I wasn't optimistic on Saturday as again the morning breeze was non-existant. I was figuring on a light wind floater--I even considered not bringing a harness or sailing shoes.
As we sailed out to the course we could see a couple of boats that left early occassionally fly a hull...and ended up getting in 5 races in light to medium winds with gusts and lulls. Trapping and tramping often on the same leg.
Although starting in Portsmouth low fleet, my tactic(s) were to sail against the other F16(s) -- Pete and Robi. Robi and I had good duels in each race ... often sailing within centimeters of each other. "Should I luff you hard like in Tacticat?" "You can, but I'm not moving ... you'll have to hit me". We were civil to each other and no penalty turns were incurred.
The F16's did well against the A-Cats ... and I had once misfortune as I sailed downwind under spi', port-tack; Robi just back and windward of me (dueling for position). When all of a sudden an A-Cat came across the course on starboard-tack sailing much higher than us. I didn't see him at all and made evasive manuevers to avoid a collision. Resulting in a capsize and, when righted, noticed that my main bolt rope was not secure in the luff track. I retired to the shore to lower and raise my main. Making it back out for the next race(s).
So, some observations:
* Bring all your gear. Never know how the wind will change during the day.
* Keep a lookout on multi-class starts as different boats will sail different lines.
* F16 sized up reasonable to A-Cats and others (in this wind condition).
* When sailing portsmouth you've got to sail HARD all the way -- Start-->Finish. as you have to give time to other boats and are uncertain on how the corrected time will impact you.
* Fearless Frank (Nacra 52 sailing uni) gets an unfair advantage with only a 0.99 impact on his portsmouth when adding a spin'. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
