Hi Doug,

sometimes this Forum can be a worry, this thread is turning sour when it started so positive <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />.

But anyway, in answer to your question regarding weight to be competitive one up, I have sailed one up F-16 exclusively for 3 seasons at around 200 lb. and been competitive. On F-16 hulls much smaller than the Blade. I think the F-16 one up is the boat for BIG BOYS <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Think about the jib it is not very big, so one up crew weights similar to the lightest two up crews should be competitive, most of the power is in the main and spinnaker as long as you are sailing windward and returns.

With 2 ratchets 13 year old should be able to handle kite if she has the attitude, I have sailed against and been beaten buy a two up F-16 with a 11 year old boy crew handling the kite <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> mind you their two up weight was not much more than mine, in fact I was most competitive against them in stronger winds. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />