A-G Race, Taipan Cat or Sloop rig?

[Colin Soloway]

I'm sailing solo in the A-G race next week, and was wondering what the F16 folks recommend. If I don't have my spinnaker set up at that point the options are sloop rig or cat rig. If I have the spin it will be probably with the cat rig. It is far out, but initial forecasts look good with winds from the north. 

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Colin Soloway

[Jahn Tihansky]

Colin, 

I say GO BIG! 🤪

Jahn Shaffer Tihansky

Professional Mariner, Sailing Coach & Adventurer

website: jahntihansky.com

Mobile +1 410-320-1710

Email jahn.t...@gmail.com

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[john baker]

I agree with Jahn. Carry as much sail area that you can. Try to get your spinnaker up and running if possible.

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[Sam Carter]

I also agree with Jahn and The Sheriff. The F16 was really designed as a youth doublehanded boat, with the solo mode a secondary thought to try and grab the adult A-Cat sailor who wants to race with a spinnaker. Hence, it’s better balanced and easier to sail with the jib. You’ll want the jib for getting to Annapolis, and a spinnaker is always a good idea for a distance race. There is a rating penalty for carrying the jib solo…basically the boat rates the same as the Nacra Inter 20 in that mode and it can be sailed at that level in flatter water.

[Leith Speiden]

Colin,

With your participation, there are 4 F16s racing next Friday. Your expanded family is requiring you to reconfigure your sailing team in the short term since your star teammate needs to take care of the home front. 

These are my thoughts and options:

1) If going solo, I would recommend using the CAT rig using main and spinnaker. I used a jib last year upwind and I was overpowered upwind in sporty conditions. The consensus of going big. 

2) Using a sloop rig without a spinnaker will put you in a disadvantage since wind prediction would favor a downwind course. As I recall your team placed last year with a full rig. 

3)  I would consider teaming up with you on either Sky or Prawn if there are sporty conditions. 

Best Regards,

Leith

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[Colin Pitts]

Hi Leith!

That was the other Colin - very confusing. One of us needs to change out name (kidding). 

We planned to commit a bad parenting and bring the little one - sailing 3 up on the school day. 

Right now though, the wind does not look like enough to justify such an offense. 

Eventually we might need to upgrade to a bigger boat. Prindle 19 with F18 rig? 

Colin- I would recommend cat rig with the spinnaker for 1-up. 

I know the blade needs the spinnaker to be going fast enough relative to wind speed to bear away and avoid pitchpole. 

That’s why even 2 up when the wind is above 20 or so it gets so hazardous - the boat is topping out and we can’t bear away enough. 

Your mileage may vary with the Taipan. I think they have a little more volume, but not much.

Good luck - hope to see you guys if the wind improves

-Colin

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[William Hathaway]

CP, Falcon and Viper hulls have so much more volume than the Blade.  You’ll be astounded by how quickly they plane and difficult to trip. Should give it a try before committing to a Franken cat. 

On Aug 30, 2026, at 8:39 AM, Colin Pitts <cpi...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Leith!

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[Will Rottgering]

That's not bad parenting!!! Who told you that???

You definitely don't need that kind of negativity in your life!!! 

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[cpi...@gmail.com]

Kris! Will!

Thank you guys. It was a busy week. Did not see these until late.

It we eventually get a new catamaran the reason would be to sail 3up. Kiddo was having fun steering the Sunfish last time we were out.

I was sort of kidding about the bad parenting thing…sort of

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 30, 2026, at 1:34 PM, Will Rottgering <wlro...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[John Baker]

Hey Colin,

You should get a Nacra 20. 

Taking the child out of school to go sailing is the definition of good parenting. 

At some point you will need to tell the boy that not all Americans are as smart as you. I fear the day when I we have a conversation and he thinks that I am an idiot. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 5, 2026, at 8:46 AM, cpi...@gmail.com wrote:

Kris! Will!

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[cpi...@gmail.com]

a Nacra 20 would be ideal- new might be quite an investment

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 5, 2026, at 9:34 AM, 'John Baker' via West River Catamaran Racing Association <WR...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Hey Colin,

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[Colin Soloway]

If you get a 20 I would also recommend getting your kid a gym membership so they can help move that thing around! 

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[John Baker]

Hey Colin Pitts,

You should have said, “ No John. You are not an idiot.” 

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 5, 2026, at 9:53 AM, Colin Soloway <solo...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Will Rottgering]

Don't just get a Nacra 20.... Get THE Nacra 20 😉

You know what I'm talking about!!

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[Sam Carter]

Colin,

  I think your best upgrade path would be a used Infusion Mk. 2 F18 with decksweeper. These are still competitive at the regional level and are a smidge quicker than the new boats in flat water+light air. At the weights you and Fan sail at, you’d be quite competitive.

The 20 Carbon really requires a 190lb crew with the muscles of an NFL player. 

[cpi...@gmail.com]

Thank you Sam,

I lust after the new nacra I20 with no illusions of being competitive. Just thinking of 3 trapezes. The nacra f18’s look like excellent boats and are a lot more available.

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 6, 2026, at 12:09 PM, Sam Carter <samc...@gmail.com> wrote:

Colin,

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[Kapn Keith]

Hey Colin - if you are interested in a Nacra/Inter-20, I know where you could likely get one.  It's a slight project but is solid and has a bunch of spares including an extra hull (I believe).  No, it's not my boat.  It's across the street and likely to be cheap.  And if Colin isn't interested, anybody else interested sound off.

Cheers,

Kap'n K

[cpi...@gmail.com]

thank you Keith! Whenever I think of getting rid of Prawn, it makes me think twice.

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 15, 2026, at 12:18 AM, Kapn Keith <kbch...@erols.com> wrote:

Hey Colin - if you are interested in a Nacra/Inter-20, I know where you could likely get one.  It's a slight project but is solid and has a bunch of spares including an extra hull (I believe).  No, it's not my boat.  It's across the street and likely to be cheap.  And if Colin isn't interested, anybody else interested sound off.

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