I crew on "Wicked," a Tartan 4100 (shoal draft), in our local Wednesday night beer can races. Relative to a Cape Dory this might be a "fin keel" boat but relative to the J boats, Beneteaus, etc. on the course, she's big and heavy and doesn't point well. Under 15 knots we're at a disadvantage, but once the wind gets up towards 20 knots and the waves grow, things even out and we can do well. We call this "Wicked weather."radsailor wrote:So, I guess racing I will have to make my choice and live with it each race.
So I'd say you have the right approach: Try to anticipate the conditions, do the best you can when the winds are light, and when they pick up take advantage and enjoy the wicked weather!