The dinghy market

14ft bow poles always keep your eyes open, and the tip is usually just claering the mainsheet block.

so how close do you want to go?

(editor's note - please, please, please think about resizing massive photos before uploading!!! - this one was 2000 pixels wide before)

Thsi is in no way an endorsement of this boat, but this is how they market the topaz uno race

UNO RACE - More power
The Topaz UNO RACE has been designed for the more adventurous singlehanded sailor who demands that extra bit of performance. She is everything you want from a hiking singlehander. The UNO RACE is sensationally fast and are in total control. Painstaking development mean that the UNO RACE is powerful and responsive yet unbelievably easy to sail. Rigging remains simple, the only alterations to the UNO rig are a powerful sail and a high-tech extra-length rudder blade.
The larger 6.9 square metre Mylar mainsail is fully battened and a fuller sail shape cranks up the speed whilst retaining controllability. The sleek epoxy racing rudder blade offers low drag and added control to enable you to enjoy all of that extra power.

Topper think they have this base covered!

I think the way forward has to be Tinker Tramp racing with NO RULES at all.  They are inflatable and could be a right laugh.  Barging in at marks could be a whole new ball game, and getting rid of the port/starboard rule could be a hoot too...whoever wins the tacking duel will be a result of collision angles and pressure in the sponsons!  Downwind overtaking could be a variation of the Police PIT manoevre (where a patrol car under exceptional circumstances nudges the rear 3/4 of the chased car and sends it into a spin) by nudging your bow on your opponents rudder. 

In fact a development of this could be Tinker Tramp Team racing where the course is basically windward/leeward but teams start from opposite ends of the course...

If its going to be a niche market singlehander adult boat can I have an XL one please? Sort of a Laser but for a Phantom sized sailor. Don't think a Topaz really cuts it on that one

 And I do mean a genuine singlehander, not a doublehander that can be sailed 1up 'suitable for youths or for lighter crews' PAH! I like my pies deep fried in lard. Washed down with with Guiness.

Oh, and a dirty great aysmetric on it as well. Ta.

Talking from experience there, TT? But things have changed for the missus recently, haven't they? Now she gets to squat at the bottom of the boat in light winds, get a wet bum hiking in strong winds, get her hands sliced by the kite sheets (did you get her a decent pair of gloves?) and, all the while, she can have the unmitigated pleasure of being gently coaxed by her dearly beloved: "Move in! More!! Don't sit here, sit there! Get out! Hike harder, come on, of course it hurts! Hoist the kite, and fast this time! Hurry! Drop it, we're at the mark already, what ARE you doing?!"
Then, because you're a gentleman, you mutter at the end of the race where you came 9th (you're disappointed, she's dead chuffed and exhausted after 90-minutes of instructions overload): "Hmmpfff, ....... well done ......." 

Ahhhhhhhhhh young love