Hi Dick -

I am home for the holiday weekend, then hit the trail again early next week.

In the meantime, the pond was free of ice, a nice sunny Sunday, and a very light breeze. I took your old trimaran to the pond after church, and did a float test to check if I found all the leaks. Looks like I still missed one just forward of daggerboard trunk. I guess dropping it in the parking lot last fall wasn't the best idea!

Before pulling the boat, I verified that the leak was a slow one and proceeded to reach up and down the pond for a bit. Tried to reach you by cell phone, but no answer! Anyway, changing over to the old (new) sail design seems to have improved pointing ability and reduced weather helm a bit. Perhaps it's better balanced. Also, I changed out your rudder for one with a bit more area, and without the foil. No difference in bow-down handling - she remained on even keel when hit a by a few tiny gusts. With more side area, it was a bit more responsive (or so it seemed) and I only got caught in irons once. I did modify my tacking to make a larger turn, instead of trying to tack it like my old monohull. You may be right in a bit more rocker to the main hull might improve tacking response - but all I can say is that it handled like a different boat ! What a change. I still want to borrow/try your original sails for this cat, even if they are too big. In today's winds the boat would have been a rocket - instead it was only a jet ! Hee Hee ! [8D] Even the geese were impressed!

Not sure if you will read this today - if not I will email you with my schedule - I should be back next weekend for a few days before traveling again. Sure wish they would hurry up and hire a replacement so I could stay in office and have some personal time to "play" - now when I get home, wife has a list of things to do. sigh !

regards, call me if you read this - I'm able to make it back to pond later this afternoon - if not call me on cell.