The 99 is a nice boat. I have sailed on our friends a few times, raced on it some and raced against it a lot. Spent a lot of time sitting aboard at the dock as well.
Theirs is 2008 and they have had it 2.5 seasons. no problems, great support and they love the boat. The only negative they have with the boat is the table arrangement. It is optional and they were advised against it when they purchased the boat - butthey bought it anyway and find it just a little better than useless.
As to the overpowered comment at 15 knots - I have been at the wheel and noticed the weather helm - is usually a trim issue with the sails. What I really liked was how responsive the wheel is - you actually feel the boat which is probably why there is so much pressure when the main is over sheeted.
If the wind is much over 15 knots true use the #3. The boat loves it.
Glad you bought the boat Spec. I just came across this thread (I never even knew this forum subsection existed). As I was reading I was hoping you would go ahead and get the boat.
The boat I sail on is the 5.5 foot draft.
Also I think someone posted elswhere that the cracking problems reported were not with the C&C99 but were with larger hulls.
Oh - and it is not a condo - it is a palace to those like me that have J27.
Mike
J27 #150
Nut Case
http://usres.eastlink.ca/~mhoyt