Nice report Tim, although Gill and I never double trapezed. I was out on the wire with him helming from the trampoline. I worked the mainsheet and we just played the gusts. Two on the wire was too much for the lulls and nothing is as slow as draggin a crew through the water so it was better for us to keep one on the wire and just shave off the tops of the gusts by sheeting the mainsail out somewhat.

At first we were racing you guys well and it took some time and effort to overtake although it is beyond a doubt that the jib makes a doublehanded F16 faster then one without.

Additionally. I have singlehanded my F16 in these conditions plenty of times and even considerable rougher as well. I'm 85 kg's, so comparable to what you are. I say don't worry about singlehanding it. Derotate the mast pull on some more downhaul and mainsheet and the boat will be adjusted to suit the lower crew weight. If it gets really rough then let some traveller out. Surprisingly enough the boat will feel much the same as when doublehanding, that is apart from the accelleration during a gust. You really shouldn't worry about that. I think Geert doesn't think twice when singlehanded his in similar conditions and you know what I'm refering to.

I can also see that all the Zandvoort club members thoroughly enjoyed themselfs with the visitors from USA ans Belgium, they still mention it in passing. So thank you to you guys and gals as well.

Wouter