43 Performance
We have never raced our full battened 430 (It has almost identical specs to the 43), but I spent a week in May sailing "with the guys" in the Strait of Georgia. For a week, we sailed up and down and across the Strait with no destination in mind except to sail with the wind. We were able to easily maintain 7.5 to 8 knots when the wind was 12 knots on any point of sail between a broad and close reach. At 15 knots we were single reefed, at 20 knots we were double reefed with no problems maintaining 8 knots.We often hit hull speed (8.3 knots) and more but could not maintain it for extended periods. (All speeds are through the water. Our GPS speed or SOG was as much as +/- 2 knots depending on the current) We passed alot of other boats, but then we were not racing and I am sure the other boats would say the same.We do not have a spinikar. However, I have been shopping for one and the UK Sail guy assures me that we can do 7 - 8 knots in less than 10 knots of wind. His claim may require a grain of salt.