Ha. Great story and illustration. I can appreciate that. Thanks for sharing.

In my second or third outing on the Weta my friend and I encountered unexpectedly high winds, which I later learned were gusting as hight as 28 mph. As the wind built we lowered the jib and started home on main alone, jibing to change tacks. While working our way back we encountered a capsized Hobie 16 manned by two of his relatives struggling to right their boat. I passed close to the Hobie, whereupon my friend jumped overboard and swam to the Hobie to help. For the next 45 minutes or so I singled-handed back to a cove where I could dock. I was wet and a bit frazzled but never felt close to capsize. Later that night I learned that the Hobie capsized twice more trying to sail home before being towed back by a passing good samaritan in a power boat.

Lessons learned were re-check the forecast at launch time--and trust the Weta!

Glenn

Weta 545

Having sailed cats and monohulls I can say that the Weta is more stable than all of them. Personally, I play the mainsheet in higher winds. Some folks play the jib. You can also depower the main by moving the mainsheet attachment point on the clew board. A Tri is different from a Cat. The main hull is always in the water. One ama is in the water and the other is out. This creates a very stable platform. And when you tack, both amas come out of the water so the Weta tacks more like a monohull.

The Weta can be very fast in a good breeze. It is not particularly fast in light air. The trimaran is inherently more stable than cats and monos. The leeward ama can be buried when overpowered causing a lot of drag. The Weta has a screecher, which is a blast and can be flown at many angles of attack. I have found that the Weta can be depowered quickly. The main can be sailed in a "feathered" trim that provides some security in very heavy conditions.