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wrote:
Lessons learned Jan. 22, 2006 (even if already known):

- A Stiletto 23 cat goes _verrrrry_ fast in chilly winter
winds;
- When hit by a 40 kt gust, a "Stiletto" cat will capzize,
turn over and remain over, but stay afloat . . . for a while
(though its still erect if vertically down-pointing mast will
help keep it from skinking in less than 36' of water);

Don't they have positive flotation?

- The underside of a cockpit of an overturned Stiletto
cat can hold three chilly guys, assuming they can be
pulled can climb from the water;
- An overturned Stilletto can be towed upside down
until the earlier of the mast hitting an obstruction or
a depth of +/- 36 feet;
- Its desirable to have a lanyard tied to a handheld
VHF and the lanyard actually tied to the boat;
- When the VHF has fallen in the water, it is helpful
to have a cell phone with working batteries in a Zip-loc
bag;
- Underwater rocks can break through the hull of a
Stilletto if being towed while capsized;
- L.I. Sound water is verrrrrry cold in Jan.

Sounds like a potentially dangerous sail. Did any of you
have on wetsuits or drysuits?

BTW I have seen 40 knot gusts flip Tornados & Mystere cats,
and somersault them so rapidly that they keep right on
flipping and end right-side up again. Wierd.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King