It is a great cat ,-they have been sailed across the Atlantic ,-through the Northwest passage of Canada , and have competed in the Worrell 1000 in years past .



Purchased my first one in 78 , they are very good in waves with large rocker profile in the hulls ,-surf well , and are fun . Their only negative aspect may be weight ,-the original boat was designed to weigh 375 or less , many weigh much more so they are weight sensitive cats .



Set up mast rake with little weather helm , the 18 will point high going to weather with its large boards , you can pinch it up around a mark if its needed ,--downwind on cats you need to keep apparent wind at 90 degrees maintaining higher speeds and better VMG and gybe at higher angles. Set the jib at 90 plus and read the telltails at first sailing as low a course as possible without stalling the back of the sail , travel out the main and twist off the top until they both break or stall together reading the upper main .In light air get crew weight forward and transoms clear to reduce drag ,-In heavy winds get out on the wire ,crew weight back , bows up and hang on

Play the traveler and main sheet in gusty conditions to stay upright ,-Keep a righting line handy though , as we all flip occationally . It takes some practise , get a good crew and go race , it excellerates the learning ,skill developement process 10 times over as you have others to learn from as well as sailing upwind and down to specific points .

have fun

Carl