Racing H16 and 20s et.it was all about getting to weather; the feeling of powering up wind. While it was technically challenging to keep as fast or faster down wind, it was rarely thrilling unless the wind was nuking .

Now add a spin and you are racing downwind. Sailing is a new game, it is not hard to do, but there is a significant learning curve to do it well. The boat is now balanced: if you are trapping up wind then you are down as well – so to speak.

Both the A and the F16 are pretty light and responsive, but the addition of the spin is what, for me, makes the F16 fun to sail not work. I have never yet been sorry for the added time it takes me to rig. Once the chute fills and you feel the boat want to pull out from under you, it’s all good.

Looking forward to it! What I meant was that I enjoyed that part, the coast, a relaxing victory lap per say.

I think you are missing the point, if not I'm sorry. But what I think they are trying to tell you is that with a Spi the cake walk is no more, no more relaxing on the tramp with a beer. Won't happen.

Nope, totally got it. Looking forward to the new challenges and their rewards. Many pitch-poles to come! Hopefully I don't add to the three inch scar in my right side? Never done a full cart wheel but who knows with a lighter boat...

Both the F16 and the A are impressive machines but me thinks you are looking for an F16 as you have implied that you want the option to take others out. The A is not going to like that too much, especially if either of you are big like me.

Either way you will have a great time. A-cat races are often won or lost on downwind speed. Don't discount the enjoyable and challenging experience of sailing downwind on the A either in light air with both hulls down or medium to heavy with a hull flying. It's the ultimate quick to rig single handed machine with the F16 offering much more flexibility. On our lake the A-cat is the fleet that is growing.

I sent him a note, it looks like he is in Trenten Ohio.

So where does the Narcra fit in? Weight, speed, pointing ability...

Formula 16 spi F16 63.0 66.0 64.5 61.9 60.1
A Class Cat A-C 64.5 68.8 65.6 63.8 60.9
Nacra F17 Uni spi NF17 66.7 69.0 68.0 66.6 65.0

I am leaning hard to a Blade or a Falcon if i win the lotto. Heck if I win the lotto i will get the A-cat too!!!

I looked at this set of boats myself a couple of years ago. I decided on the F16 primarily because of the spinnaker. I used to live to sail upwind. Now I go upwind just to get to where I can pop the chute.

I also wanted to learn how to race, so I went with a boat where I thought the class was building. F16 has grown where I sail while F17 has remained about the same.