In general, I have found that 1 man uni-rigs are not competative when the winds are above 12-15 kts. You just can't hold them down. The only single handed cats I have seen, that are competative in heavy air, are A-cat with heavy skippers.
<br>
<br>I never found any magic formula to make a N5.5uni work in heavy air. To make the most out of your boat going upwind, steer through the waves, like they are hills. If you are slamming into waves and coming to a stop, you are not doing it right.<br><br>