Hi Colin
Good cat design ,-there is a new active Formula 18 racing fleet here in Michigan ,-{northern U S ,-Great Lakes area ,
mostly N-F-18s with Tigers and think Mystere also ,
just underway this year ,{finally } .Happy to see Formula racing underway ,--
{also makes scoring much simpler }
check the CRAM website for race info and details for any interested -http://www.websitemagic.com/cram/
There is a great event in Aug --the CF 4 WITH MORE THAN 100 CATS EXPECTED THIS YEAR ,-and a 200 mile distance race coinsiding with it right after ,for those hearty enough ,
and another short distance race the following weekend at the finish destination ,--very interesting series ,-a triathalon of catsailing .
The Alter Cup on F-18S may be in the area next year also,
A good crew is very important on all these spin rigged very fast cat designs that can handle the shute .
{Not always easy to find }
Like many catsailors I,d like both types -a good singlehander and spin rigged 2 person cat in an active Formula fleet ,-but have 3 now .
Inter 20 ,-S C -15 and
-H-18 --the S C is for the kids --[ I have more fun then they do } took it out in severere storm warning conditions and had a blast just keeping it upright . --The H-18 was just a nostalgia thing ,-my favorite cat that we raced actively for a decade or so ,-the Inter 20 for local fleet racing and distance racing , would prefer a Formula 20 format as the ideal for distance racing ,-it is starting in pockets now along with other Formula classes .
The A class cats are fantastic also ,-the acelleration on a 150 LB boat is something in higher wind speed or gusty type conditions ,-you literally have to hang on to something or the acceleration and momentum will tend to throw you back off the stern .
Send us some info on local racing and updates when you can ,--
also thanks to Wout for the great Texel pics ,
All the best -

Carl