Alan,

You may want to take a look at the I17R. It is very comparable to the Taipan and the FX-1. It also has a jib kit and spinnaker. I have the jib kit with single forestay. The Inter 17 has these big bows that really help save the boat in big wind gusts with the spinnaker up! You folks know anything about big wind up there in sunny Labrador?! (by the way, what is the warmest water temperature reached up there?)

Also, the I17R is probably better in big waves than either the Taipan or FX-1. Also, I believe the I17R is probably faster than those boats in any wind above say 10-11 knots.

Tom Turlington
I17R #124
Pensacola, FL

ps. The A-cats are pretty boats also, but I don't believe I have ever seen one in an offshore race.