Posted: Sep 26, 2014 - 06:53 PM
I am in the same situation as you are, well past my best before date, & kids doing their own thing. I sail 35-40 days/yr, & almost all solo.
I had always wanted a Tornado, couldn't find a decent one, so I bought a close copy, the Mystere 6.0XL. Sailed the crap out it this summer, 94% solo. Two up it was blast, solo, it was also a blast, but I had to be so careful, flipping it was not a good thing!
I don't have to setup each day, but it was still more work than the 19' 5.7, & way more work than the 5.0. Everything from raising sails to putting it on the lift were bigger chores. The most I soloed it in was 20mph, made 20.5 on the GPS, but I couldn't power it up with my skinny 170lbs trapped of the wings.(That was after I got over the initial trepidation of trapping off the wings).
That's when I decided that despite the beautiful rough water ride it gave, I had done 21.4 with the 5.7, & 20.5mph in the 5.0, why bother with all the work if I'm solo most of the time?
I'm not racing, or out to prove anything, I sail only for pleasure. Might as well stick with a smaller, lighter, less sheet load, easy to right boat that still gives the same speed. Boat X might have a lower Portsmouth, but I never go around the cans. We clear the point & reach 30 miles for the fastest shore most of the time.
I toughed out solo with a tramp launched spin all season, & it's a blast, but I think I'll downsize, get the same fun with less work. The smaller boat lets me go out in 30mph if I want. I know it'll be a pointing day, but a capsize is an inconvenience, not a rescue mission.
I'm thinking an F16, & a Spark (Dart 15), speed, plus righting with just a line, & easy to handle on the beach. We got rid of the 21' cuddy cabin, so there's room on the dock for 2 more Cats!
If the Hobie 17 would handle rough water I'd get one of those, as the wife likes the wings, but everytime the seas build my neighbour heads for shore with his.
In your shoes, I'd sell it, tomorrow. Sail the 16, use the funds to buy another, or several smaller boats, & sail the Hell out of them!
Lets be honest, as we get older we WILL go down in boat size/performance, eventually I'll be on a Wave.
--
Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
--