Hi All! Long time since I was messing about with the DS1 - I got a "big" boat about a year ago, a 21 foot Benneteau First for sailing with the small kiddos. Last year I mostly spent messing around with the Bennie, but now have my "little" DS1 back home in Texas for the season. Splashed it weekend before last and had a great time.
Thought I would relate another really cool thing about the DS1 - namely you can pull it with a very small car. My "tow" rig for the DS now includes my 99 honda civic 5 speed. It tows great and I still get about 26 mpg. I have managed to get the DS out about twice so far this season and looking forward to more.
After experiencing the "big" trailerable boat versus the DS I am finding myself wanting to sail the DS a lot more. Setup is a breeze. Towing is a breeze. Take down is a breeze. The big boat requires a gin pole setup and takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to rig and about 2 hours to take down. With the DS, trailer to water is about 40 min tops unless I swap mainsail and take down is about 30 min. Denial fits in my garage and I can move it around by hand.
One good thing is that manhandling the larger boat has given me a lot more confidence with the small boat. Also, sailing with kids and wife on keelboat is way less stressful.