Small but strong and perfectly formed ( at least I hope so ). Thanks for all of your support. This is a serious case of unfinished business for me.

Paul

Its interesting you looked at the Elan as well and found her to be a great boat. I agree she is a lot of fun to sail, esp with some crew, but I wonder what such an unproven boat would be like in a sea on your own.

I have sailed one a couple of times and feel her to maybe be a bit too powerful for getting the most out of . I.e. single handing close to, or above her rating. In fact I sailed the SF shortly after on the same day in similar 20kt gusts, and got a broach out of both boats. The Elan (in spite of her much hyped form stability and twin rudders) still lost grip easier than the SF when pressed upwind – and was more difficult to control.

The SF seems to be a very manageable boat, certainly in a blow and incredibly stable downwind. The sort of boat you feel you can get the absolute best out of.

My only reservation is the light airs stickiness of the SF. Have you tried a larger-than-class, light weight jib for upwind work? I can see the code 0 is worthwhile, but only below 45 degrees?

I am essentially stuck on a decision between these 2 boats, Although my heart says the SF, my family may not agree that cruising will be fun in an SF when they are used to a big ‘ol 40ft Arcona!

And may I ask how your OSTAR prep is going? This is something I have toyed with doing but I’m a little nervous of the time I will have to take away from work, ie the committment with doing a race like this, and indeed whether I could get ready in time for 2013. Not to mention the fact Ive barely done more than a night at sea on my own before! Exactly how I will fare (mentally and physically) solo sailing a tough race like the OSTAR is I guess everyones main concern.

Hi
I hope you dont mind me emailing but Peter Olden said you might be worth talking to.

I think I have seen you in the SORC races, and Ive taken a look at your website a few times. I am the over-worked guy trying to man-handle my company Arcona “iGOSKi” around the race course on a few occasions.

I have also just sold the Arcona with a view to buying a smaller boat for myself and for solo racing and the odd bit of family cruising, (2 kids and an infant)

I have been looking at the Elan 350 and SF3200, as well as various J Boats (105,109) and the A35.

And I wondered what you think of this selection? And how you arrived at your decision to go for the SF over the rest. Especially the Elan which looks like it does it all (and a bit more)

My reservation with the SF3200 is how she goes in light airs, although Nigel (Colley) swears by this big Jib or code 0 that he uses. And also how she copes with being “tripped” or pushed by larger waves (beam on).

My reservation with the Elan is how I can sail her to her rating just 1-up. And whether the interior will fall apart after 2 seasons.

My reservation with J Boats is that they are narrow and need weight.

My reservation with the A35 is that she could be a handful unless sailed well.

My experience is as a newbie to this sport of solo racing.

Best
James