Hi Rick, I'm new to this forum but i've read your question and i'd like to reccomend the Stealth 16. I bought one 3yrs ago, i'm about your build ( i think !) and i've had great FUN its beauty is that is easily sailable either solo (with spinnaker ! ) or two up if a friend arrives. The thing that really pleases me though is after a hard days sailing/racing, i'm not very fit, its a pleasure to wheel up the beach/slip. It weighs 109kgs ready to sail has a performance to match BUT does a good job at keeping you out of trouble if things get a bit "out of hand" Get in touch with Jon Pierce at www.stealthmarine.com he's a good guy and his prices are really good at present - new boats are about $2-3000 cheaper than a Spitfire !
Regards Mike Young

You will find the link to John is http://www.stealthmarine.co.uk

the .com makes funny boats without sails......

Jamie,

Bonnie and I are depressed we couldn't make it this year to Bay Week too. If being out of vacation weren't enough (burned up an extra week this year doing the Tybee500), I have been without a catamaran until yesterday. We'll probably be back up next year - that's our favorite regatta!

Jake - show us a pic of your new F-18!

Ken

Hey Jamie. Boy, do I wish we were there. It has been 10 YEARS since our last Bay Week---maybe next year we could make the trip. Its interesting that everyone is back on the small boats--kinda cool.

I've really gotten away from sailing. I joined the fleet here in Virginia Beach when we moved here, but never felt particularly welcome for the most part and beach access is terrible (really only two places to launch, one of which is high effort but nice beach, the other is a filthy city launch with about 150 ft of beach [usually clogged with jet skis]). Dan Berger is now commodore and has convinced me it might be worth the time to give another try. So my interest has been piqued--hence a renewed interest in a more appropriate boat. Sold the 16 "Junkyard Cat" two years ago and kept the 17. I really like sailing the 17 in Willoughby bay and out into the chesapeake--especially when its honking, but there is no point in trying to race (there are several 17's around but I'm waaay too big to compete against the 165#ers!). Plus, 98% of any sailing I do is and will be solo. Ah well, say hello to the gang.

Rick

It's coming! I'm going to rig her up fully tonight and take some shots (if it's not raining). It is a beautiful 'thang!

Seriously - the quality of this boat, foils, finish, and sails is more than I could have imagined. Having Formula classes where the manufacturer's compete directly on the water is going to be great for this sport.