I was asked to represent my local A-Cat fleet this evening at a club race planning meeting, to help bring us into the fold with the other approved one-design classes. It was a surprise to find most of the questions about the A-Cat, and multi-hull racing in general, related to safety concerns.

I had to explain the various risk factors and the safety measures I thought were appropriate for a high-performance ultra-light racing platform. This would have been easier if others sailed the same or even similar type boats, but you might say the difference between an A-Cat and a typical club racer is akin to the difference between a Mosler MT900s and a Toyota Camry. We’ve been sailing enough in local events, fortunately, that the issues were discussed with some real-world examples and in the end the fleet was approved.

People on sailing forums sometimes ask about A-Cat security and here are my thoughts in a nutshell:

I say a good radio, whistle, strobe, water and spare set of goggles/glasses (prescription) are most critical…a wetsuit is also typical gear for us where thicker ones give a fair amount of buoyancy. The way I look at it these basic items significantly reduce personal risk and you could still need them even if you manage to stay with the boat after a spill (torn sail, dismast, etc.). It’s bulky but to keep it nice an tidy (and reduce windage) I always wear a giant rashguard over everything.

And that just takes me back to an old Outside article on how to calculate risks during recreation:

NO WONDER, THEN, that the optimal adventure experience for many enthusiasts is one in which the perceived risk is high but the actual risk is acceptably low. Running rapids is a good example. “People look at big whitewater, and their perception is that it’s very dangerous,” says Pamela Dillon, executive director of the American Canoe Association. “But the stats tell a different tale. In sheer numbers—including canoeists, kayakers, and rafters—the most common way someone dies boating is in a canoe, on flatwater, with no PFD [personal flotation device], drinking alcohol.

“Fifty percent of people who die in canoes and kayaks are out fishing,” Dillon continues. “They’re not tuned in to the skills and information they need to participate safely.”

If there’s just one thing you could say about A-Cat sailors, I think “tuned in” might be it. Here’s Glenn doing a nice fly-by for the race committee (note the flat water):