Hi. I am thinking to moving from F18/Dart18 to a single-handler due to extremely odd working hours. I sail in the UK off a concrete slip and the seas can be biggish/choppy when it's an Easterly. Average wind is probably 3-4. Would an A-class be a suitable choice? it looks like a most beauitiful and high-performance boat.
The most popular class at our club is now F18 and ideally I want something that'll keep up with them... Looking at the US ratings page, it looks like an A-Class can do it. I'm a bit confused about why there is no ISAF rating though...
Any advice appreciated...
Regards,
Colin
www.sailwave.com
Hey Colin,
Would you know that several people walked up to me at Texel saying that Colin Jenkins send his regards. !
I received them all. Thanks alot. And Of course I'm returning my regards to you via this post.
The guys at texel are another conquest of your, they really like sailwave.
An A-cat would just as good a choice as any other modern cat will be. None however appreciate banging on a concrete slip. Only Hobies and Prindle will take that abuse.
The chop shouldn't be a problem.
I'm not sure wether you're looking at secondhand or new. Make alot of difference. A-cat's are not cheap when new. Other singlehanders can be alot cheaper when new.
Wouter
Hi Wouter,
Thanks. I've decided to go with the flow and sail what everybody else is sailing (here) and bought a 3 month old Nacra F18 (GBR 140) with chute yesterday 
Regards,
Colin
www.sailwave.com
Hi Colin
Good cat design ,-there is a new active Formula 18 racing fleet here in Michigan ,-{northern U S ,-Great Lakes area ,
mostly N-F-18s with Tigers and think Mystere also ,
just underway this year ,{finally } .Happy to see Formula racing underway ,--
{also makes scoring much simpler }
check the CRAM website for race info and details for any interested - http://www.websitemagic.com/cram/
There is a great event in Aug --the CF 4 WITH MORE THAN 100 CATS EXPECTED THIS YEAR ,-and a 200 mile distance race coinsiding with it right after ,for those hearty enough ,
and another short distance race the following weekend at the finish destination ,--very interesting series ,-a triathalon of catsailing .
The Alter Cup on F-18S may be in the area next year also,
A good crew is very important on all these spin rigged very fast cat designs that can handle the shute .
{Not always easy to find }
Like many catsailors I,d like both types -a good singlehander and spin rigged 2 person cat in an active Formula fleet ,-but have 3 now .
Inter 20 ,-S C -15 and
-H-18 --the S C is for the kids --[ I have more fun then they do } took it out in severere storm warning conditions and had a blast just keeping it upright . --The H-18 was just a nostalgia thing ,-my favorite cat that we raced actively for a decade or so ,-the Inter 20 for local fleet racing and distance racing , would prefer a Formula 20 format as the ideal for distance racing ,-it is starting in pockets now along with other Formula classes .
The A class cats are fantastic also ,-the acelleration on a 150 LB boat is something in higher wind speed or gusty type conditions ,-you literally have to hang on to something or the acceleration and momentum will tend to throw you back off the stern .
Send us some info on local racing and updates when you can ,--
also thanks to Wout for the great Texel pics ,
All the best -
Carl
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