I was joking my longwinded friend. I would have been shocked if you had left if at "different horse, different course."

I happen to agree with most of what you said. The only exception is that you refer to the A as "boring." I agree that singlehanding with a spin is the way to go, but I'm probably going to add a spin to my A for free sailing. This is not going to be boring. I single hand my HT now with the spin, and that isnt boring, so I get what you are talking about.

What the A has to offer is really a one design fleet racing boat. Most of the A racing - at least up here (RI,CT, NJ) is done in a one design setting. Everyone has the same uni rigged sail and they all go downwind the same way. And its very simple, clean boat, one sail, quick to rig.

When you get above 8-10knots the A goes into "wild mode" hull up, gybing downwind, different than flying a spin downwind, but still very interesting. Different, but not boring. But you dont have to rig a spin, or get crew, or deal with another sail.

Doug and Pete,
You can absolutely add a spin to your a cat without drilling holes in the bows. I'm thinking about an attachment that fits over the forestay eyes. Add a smaller snail snuffer and you got a nice little package. I started work on a Marstrom knockoff snail snuffer this weekend. We'll see how it comes out.

I am planning on adding a spin to my A, but I might not, "wild mode" might be enough, or I might get the urge to fly the spin when I'm not racing. Who knows.

If I was going to take friends or family with me, I wouldnt take the A cat. I wouldnt take the A on a distance race. But, hey I'm lucky I got an HT, a friend with an i20, an A cat and enough foam and carbon to build a moth.

I dont think we should limit ourselves to one boat. But if I did the F16 would be one of my choices. I would want to see more of them in the US and more one design fleet racing, but that might come some day.

Bill