Sorry all - been working too hard and not sailing enough.

So...I've been beating the crap out of this boat for almost 5 months now and it is taking it well. I load it on top of my car in about 35 minutes and can rig it (without sails) in under 20. I've been sailing it in Maine this summer and am about to head back to FL where I can stow the drysuit. It has trailered well - 3200 miles on top of the car behind the RV, then another 1,000 miles camping this sumer.


I know it's got a rap against it for flipping due to the vids they circulated, but in my experience this is a very good boat in breeze. I've been out now in up to 20 knots sustained and all I can say is WOW.

In light air, it is as fast as a any other displacement hull of 14 feet - slow. Once you reach planing speed, it is fast both up and downwind. IT IS NOT A CAT. Nor should your expectations be that it will match a cat's performance. However - it will sail in air that would be a knee knocking experience on a cat without threat of capsizing.

As a trainer - it's good. I've had both kids on it (6 and 8) letting one drive and the other trim. Lots of oversteering and late trim adjustments, but the boat lets them get away with it safely and without stress.

As for racing - the only race I've done was Juanna's Spring Fling, and with my daughter and I on board with a rating assigned for a single sailor, we were slow. I'd like to try it singlehanded in a breeze, where I think she'd do well.

It is extremely well balanced, and responds well to sail trim. I wonked a rock in Bar Harbor, Me a couple of weeks ago in about 18 knots of breeze and my rudder cracked/turned to mush. I locked it up so that I wouldn't lose it, and I ended up steering back about 4 miles using just the main and jib in puffy conditions. Not always perfect, but I managed to sail her back...very cool.

If you are considering this boat - you should take a sail. It is strong, light, and flawlessly finished.

If I could change anything, it would be to create an "R" package with a taller mast and a snuffer/chute instead of the screecher. Other than that, I wouldn't change a thing.

It will be in the FWYC fleet in 2 weeks.

C.