Home Depot - 3M Rubber tape (look for it in the same display as the electrical tape). Stretch it when wrapping and it glues to itself. Does not leav...

If you can find a DK17. It was designed specifically to have enough hull volume to support a larger sailor.

A well designed Classic A-Class is a dream to sail on all points of sail. A Foiler is the same upwind, but downwind it's like trying to sail blindfol...

Great tip. I just ordered 3 mats for lining bunks, sail boxes, etc. Not sure I'll use on the decks until I see how UV and wear resistant it is. I'v...

The word on the street is that DS sails are slower in the light air, but the race results over the past 6 months say otherwise... -Mike

It's all about the proper sheeting angle, imagine a line from the lower retrieval patch to the clew. From looking at the pic, you want a block attach...

Either swing the tip of the rudder more forward, or do the same with the mast. Either method will reduce the load on the rudders.

Reach up and grab the trap handle, float parallel to the with your feet facing the rudders. Swing the inboard leg up on the hull, pull on the handle ...

If you are using normal SK78 dyneema, it is not suited to be used as shrouds. It will creep/loosen under load. The plastic thimbles are also unsuita...

FWIW, the standard ball will last forever if you bed it in the casting with Marine-tex. Wax the ball with a couple of coats of your favorite polish...

I bought the struts from bansbach.com. I told them how much I needed to lift and sent them a diagram of the platform. They spec'd out the struts, an...

no clear coat. I liked the "satin" finish. Clear coat looks awful unless it is done perfectly. The satin finish allowed the carbon weave to "print"...

all 6 coats in the same day - aprox 10 mins apart

I painted my carbon A-Class mast 4 years ago and it still looks great. - wet sanded with 200 grit - wiped down with alcohol - 6 really thin coats o...

I have a Nacra fold bag that is nearly new. It's yours for $40 + shipping. PM me for details. -Mike

I have a 2006 Ford diesel E350 van and get 72mpg. Well actually, I get 12mpg, but I'm towing a trailer that holds 6 A-cats at a time. When you split ...

I know where a mint Laser II is stored and needs a new home. This boat has lived inside all it's life and probably has not been sailed 10 times, if...

Looks to be in pretty rough shape. FWIW, that platform is no longer competitive in the F18 class. I had one, and it was a pitchpole machine. Not ne...

Tom, You should do it. It is one of the most fun races around. The scenery is always changing, and the course is always challenging. No 2 years ar...

Andy, In 20 years, they've come up with much better harness technology than the Worrell XT. Speaking from experience, I've done at least 4 T500's, an...

Any local rigging shop can make it up for you. JSI is local to you. Or call a Sail loft, they will know the local riggers. -Mike

I have both a weta and an A-cat. If it's blowing under 15, then the A-Cat is the choice, over 15 then the Weta. Both take about the same amount of t...

Schedule -br /> not sure about the protocol for trials -Mike

no, not at all. In fact the rules limit the size of a camelback that you are allowed to carry.

I replace the rigging every 3 years, but I do a lot of sailing. Most of the times the corrosion cannot be seen, it happens within the swage where moi...

bottom batten is usually long enough

Wax the mast ball, put a big blob of MarineTex in the mast base, and insert the ball. Leave overnight. You now have a smooth bearing surface and wil...