Hi Mr Hips,

As I layed in bed last night I was revueing what boats and dealers we have recommended for you to contact/try ...

Robbie Daniels/"Fun in the Sun", Tampa Florida: F18 (Capricorn), F16 (Viper), A-Cat
Bob Curry/"????",Panhandle Florida: F17 (Nacra), I/N20

and let me add ...

Rob Jerry/"Boat Works Ltd", E Syracuse NY: F18 (Hobie "Tiger")

This should cover a large percentage of the boats that have been mentioned in the posts ....

Now I know Bob Curry races A-Cats ... I just do not know if he sells them also ... personally I have had no business dealings w/ Bob but he is an excellent sailor (both times I was on the same race course he just flat out buried me)

You know my recommendations of Robbie and Jill ...

I have only had small business dealings for parts w/ Rob Jerry (at regattas sites) but "Boat Works" has always been very helpful so I could repair my boat and make the next start. Several of my close friends have purchased boats from/through him and to a man they all speak very highly of Rob and Boat Works.

Now the guys have had an excellent recomendation about going to Florida and attending some of the upcoming events ... so lets look out a few more months ahead and suggest attending Nigel Pitt's event in Georgia which is usually around Easter ... this is an excellent event. Trey and the I/20 Class can clue you in on this event. Also there is the Hobie MidWinters East (March27-29th) in Panama City, Florida. Now, Rob Jerry has several used Tigers in stock and a large group of competitors usually come down from upstate NY ... maybe you can arrange w/ Rob to sail a Hobie Tiger at that event. There is a Hobie dealer in Panama City come to think of it, Brad/Sunjammers, who is running the event.

This should give you a nice cross section of "Beach Cat Multi's" to check out and try.

But don't forget to check out which boat has the most organized class and buoy racing schedule (closed course)... the Hobies are the most organized currently ... next is the A-Cat Class w/ local and National One-Design events ... the F18's are third in organizing w/ again a schedule w/local and national events ... that leaves the F16 Class who have some pockets of local racing, that are trying hard to develope a national class and are very close to achieving "critical mass" towards that goal (there are 5 here on the Chesapeake but they have yet to all together attend a regatta and have their own One-design start ... hopefully maybe this year).

For the distance races (open course) the choice is currently the I20 ... there are some other designs like the Nacra 6.0NA, Mystere 6.0, P19 but they do not have any organization and usually sail in "Handicap/Portsmouth classes" in both open and closed course races

HarryMurphey