Letter from Happy 371 owner

My first season ends in 2 weeks and I thought you might like to know that after over 2000 miles of sailing/motoring I am delighted with my boat. The best news is that last week I met up with old friends in the marina with a Beneteau 40 odd that I have cruised in from time to time. With 2 on board each boat we raced to windward in a fresh easterly and pushed ahead on both the windward and downwind legs. Rather patronisingly they explained that short tacking in the371 was much quicker shorthanded and we must have gained on the tacks.
Next time they had 4 on board and the course was a close reach and downwind leg. Again we trounced them but they did not hang around for a discussion this time !  Needless to say I was delighted. I have been surprised how well she performs in strong winds under headsail only, points well into wind and maintains good speed in moderate seas.I only wish I had the boat earlier in my life as there is so much I would like to do and time is agaist me. I now have a whisker pole for downwind work but the only time I have been able to try it out the conditions were not good and I nearly went into the drink pole and all. Anyhow, as satisfied customers are usually silent I though you deserved to hear from a happy one. 

Yours, Ken Brown