Best Current Production Performance Single hand Beach Cat
I'll give you one last reply and probably get skewered for it - π
I'm older (55) so wings are the cat's meow (sorry about that one too). With that said, it is not current production but the H17. It is a high wind boat so there is no drama (again an old man benefit). On Lake George it is performing better than my previous F18HT w/wings & 15 sq m sail since it is heavier and drives through the nasty ever present boat chop whereas the styrofoam cup F18HT continually bounced in every direction so the sail would flop around continually losing air attachment.
Now the H17 is underpowered in light air and Lake George is a light air lake but this can be resolved. I added a super jib (H18 jib) and a spinnaker. With the super jib the boat moves upwind in real light air and you're up on the wings in 5 - 7 knots. With spin you can sail it on a really close reach in no air and still move. Both of these sails can be doused in a second should the wind strengthen. (To really achieve this I did steal Rick White's idea of a 2-1 furler for the jib... thanks Rick!).
The H17 has its issues (wing tubes) and is not a Ferrari or even an up to date Jetta but it is a nice classic Cadillac (Every boat is a compromise and my F25C is my Ferrari). Mine stays on the beach so I am underway in just the time it takes to raise the main. Understanding this would be a boat to grow old sailing with I bought a 2nd for parts - π
James
H17+
Farrier F25C
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