I bought a Nova about a year ago and have been sailing it for one season. I´ve used it for cruising only even though it is a popular racer here. We are usually 2 adults and 2 children (4,6) aboard and it is working out just great. For a week we spent 6 pax aboard (4 adults) and for a limited time that is no problem. It is a great sailer, fast and easily manouvered, no problem to handle yourself if using the self tacking system. It also handles hard wind resonably well even though I only have experience from 14-15 m/s. If I should go out on a longer journey I would refit the main sail with more reefing abilities, now there is only two. Drop me a mail if you would like to discuss the Nova in more depth... /Mattias