Gary,
Good results ! So how does it feel to race first in wins on very similar formula boats ? Same as pure OD racing didn't it ?
I'm having fun on the Tiger, if I just had decent crew I'd be OK.
This is just so familiar to me. I still like doublehanded racing best and as such I'm not complete free of the crew-blues, BUT I do appreciate the fact that I could sail and race singlehanded a few times over the last couple of weeks.
IT has been said and written so many times before but I just go to the beach or event without worrying if my crew shows up or not. Sure I dislike being "cancelled" at the last moment, but after 5 min. of grumbling, notifying the RC and taking down the jib I'm ready to launch and as soon as I hit the water I forget all that and go sailing/racing.
Recently it just occured to me again how much I simply don't have a choice. If anyone asks then I will say that F18 is where its at right now. Most definately in Europe. I'm totally convinced of that but still it is not an attractive option for me because of the crew-blues. Same in refersal for the A-cats, here because of the inability to take somebody along for racing. Nor do I like going downwind without a spi, especially not during open class racing. When I looked over the catamaran scene in its entirety I once again noted how for sailors like me there is only 1 serious option. F16 ! There simply is no alternative, not for us.
This sure makes me pretty committed to the F16 class.
By the way. The weekend two weeks ago I got cancelled by a crew and I was lazy so I just rigged the mainsail and did some sparring with an open 15 sq. catamaran (= a modified A-cat. Entlarged mainsail, extra width and no limits on angled daggerboards =foiling). He definately had an advantage speedwise on all courses (as I hadn't rigged the spi) but in several instances the difference was remarkably small. At least small enough to make the sparring fun and to allow me to learn to get some extra speed out of my F16 (sailed as an A-cat). This is all very much beside the topic but still. In the conditions pressent I certainly would not have done it when owning a F18 or something. To much boat to singlehand in those conditions.
Before somebody asks, what I learned most was to use more downhaul and accept sometimes to go for speed and control rather then pointing. I could point REALLY high with respect to other boats like the I-20's, and stay close to the heading of the modified (boosted) A-cat despite having the spi pole and snuffer out in front, but I would have made better VMG but footing it off a little more. But it is nice to known that when needed I can point 5 degrees higher in uni-rig mode. Very helpful were I sail, with the tidal currents. Somethings you misjudge the current and you are pushed below the mark. Getting some extra pointing in can save you 2 tacks to make the mark.
So yes I'm enjoying myself as well. Only I hate missing the second series of club races this upcoming weekend. There go two strike-outs for the club championships. A real pitty.
Cary, best of luck at your next event !