A- Cat question

that's a loaded question. it really depends on the conditions of your boat, weather, and crew(if any). and especially YOUR experience. when i am singlehanding i can sail to about 20knts, but this is a major work out sheeting in and out and just fighting it trying to stay right. i just had reef points installed to make that 20knts easier. with crew 20-25knts is doable but the water usually is so choppy it brings new meaning to the word 'beat'

Willem-
You might want to take this question to the USACA (US A Cat Assoc.) forum- There is a link on the links page at this site-

Kirt

At the Tradewinds Regatta at Rick's Place at Key Largo 3 weeks ago (note commercial), I went out Saturday and Sunday-on a Bim2000, a Light-air A-cat. It was 15-17 kn Sat maybe 18-20 kn early Sunday with chop and gusts a bit more (see Rick's writeup here) before it died off. I didn't have any trouble sailing, and was never even close to capsizing Sunday. But I learned how to roll-tack to complete tacks fast. Sailing to weather after depowering was ok. Contemplating pulling up the boards while going very fast, also jibing was a challenge, so I didn't- on Sunday. Tacking the jibes looks stupid but what if nobody else is out there to care? Nothing broke and I stayed warm and pointy side up!