Just sailed a F16 Stealth

one and 2 up flexability is the key to F16 ing.

Cheers Dermot. Looking forward to seeing you in the Shadow when it arrives.

Spent a lot of time when rigging to convert from 2-up to 1-up racer. Not really needed as the downhaul was left at absolute minimum all weekend.

First race got a great start and was able to tack accross the entire fleet to be 3rd at the top mark. Lost time downwind all race trying to decide where to put myself for best boat speed. Eventually concluded that by the mast, weather-side was best but by then too late.

Second race. Had sailed to a discreet area to undo harness leg straps, take a quick dip and get rid of some excess Lucozade. Thus missed the entire starting sequence and crossed the line almost a minute late. Caught up well but then stuffed a tack while threading two Tigers and ended in irons for about another minute. Lets move on.

Third race. Good start at pin end of line. Tacked early and dipped one starboarder but was otherwise clear. A very fluky windshift then meant I was on the layline for the top mark and I was first at that point. Should have gybed straight away but didn't. Still had good speed as the wind died even further and was still in it at the bottom mark. Shortened course so only one lap. My best race.

I think most were impressed with the boat's speed and I know I sailed my heart out. But what has possibly put the kibosh on me buying one is finding out its cat-rig handicap. 0.98 is harsh, very harsh. I could compete at 1.02 if I worked on it and I think that 1.03 is OK. The very still conditions work against the flat bottom of the hulls and I might be faster in average and above winds when the boat could start planing.

On a positive note, bystanders thought mine was the sexiest looking cat there with its grey hulls. The hardest thing about the weekend was adapting my H59 road trailer, with its deep cups to take a flat bottomed boat.

Thanks again to Pete for lending me the boat and Adrian for lending me his 2yr old Discovery for getting the boat down there ( I own the only 3 yr old Honda Accord diesel that has ever broken down -  hope to get it back today now that they have rebuilt the engine!).