| New member looking for advice, A-Class? #226394 01/07/11 02:31 PM 01/07/11 02:31 PM |
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 16 Manitoba, Canada frozencdn OP
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Posts: 16 Manitoba, Canada | I sail Lake Winnipeg and Pelican Lake in Manitoba Canada. I grew up on Lake Winnipeg sailing a 16 foot Sea Spray. I still have her but just for sentimental reasons. Not much worth repairing. I am self taught and love the water. I have nearly no fear and am used to gusty unpredictable wind. Nothing like a prairie tornado to stir up a lake in a hurry. I want the fastest boat I can set up myself. I thought that would be a tiger but had never looked because it wasn’t time. It is now. I want to spend about 10K. I will never race this boat. If I go that way, I will reinvest in a winner. Can I trailer an F-18 and set it up myself? I am 6 foot 200 pounds but over 40 and don’t want to put out my back to go for a sail. The more boats I learn about the more confused I get. I need to start with; can I get the boat set up and in the water by myself if I need to. Is a used A-Class out of my range at 10?K in North America? I will travel to bring home the boat I want. There is a used 2007 Geltek for 17K on USACA. This might be the boat I want if I get obsessed but for now I just want fast, fast fast. Sorry for the run on and thanks in advance for all advice
Rip and tear mend and repair, repeat
| | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: ThunderMuffin]
#226401 01/07/11 03:34 PM 01/07/11 03:34 PM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 3,906 Clermont, FL, USA David Ingram
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Posts: 3,906 Clermont, FL, USA | Make sure you look at the Hobie 16 too. You'll be 15 minutes from ignition off to getting wet. Plus they are everywhere, and won't break your back.
David Ingram F18 USA 242 http://www.solarwind.solar"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda "Excuses are the tools of the weak and incompetent" - Two sista's I overheard in the hall "You don't have to be a brain surgeon to be a complete idiot, but it helps"
| | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: frozencdn]
#226403 01/07/11 03:44 PM 01/07/11 03:44 PM |
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 5,525 pgp
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Posts: 5,525 | I've never heard of anyone suffering a broken back sailing an F16. But, under spinnaker it is a handfull for one person.
On the other hand it's lively and quickly rigged under main alone.
Pete Pollard Blade 702
'When you have a lot of things to do, it's best to get your nap out of the way first.
| | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: pgp]
#226404 01/07/11 03:53 PM 01/07/11 03:53 PM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 3,906 Clermont, FL, USA David Ingram
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Posts: 3,906 Clermont, FL, USA | I've never heard of anyone suffering a broken back sailing an F16. Sorry, I should have made myself more clear. I was not making any reference to the F16 I was simply stating that the H16 isn't that heavy.
David Ingram F18 USA 242 http://www.solarwind.solar"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda "Excuses are the tools of the weak and incompetent" - Two sista's I overheard in the hall "You don't have to be a brain surgeon to be a complete idiot, but it helps"
| | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: pgp]
#226406 01/07/11 03:56 PM 01/07/11 03:56 PM |
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 16 Manitoba, Canada frozencdn OP
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Posts: 16 Manitoba, Canada | I am used to the dagger boards on the sea spray. Being tight to the wind is important, I like to point. So the Hobie is out of the question, what is the F16 like to point?
I crewed a laze E as a kid, so a spinnaker is definitely a plus. If I have a steady wind I would have no problem. I am really drawn to the 17. Is it too much for one person? Is the 18 out of the question?
Rip and tear mend and repair, repeat
| | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: fredsmith]
#226407 01/07/11 04:01 PM 01/07/11 04:01 PM |
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 16 Manitoba, Canada frozencdn OP
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Posts: 16 Manitoba, Canada | I think there is a Boyer Mk.IV set up with a spinaker in B.C. Would save the paper work and duty at the border.
Fred Smith CAN31 A Class BC might be in country but across the mountains is way more of a challenge compared to customs. But... if it is what I want, I'll do what it takes. Can you PM me the info? I did a search and nothing came up.
Rip and tear mend and repair, repeat
| | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: frozencdn]
#226408 01/07/11 04:07 PM 01/07/11 04:07 PM |
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 16 Manitoba, Canada frozencdn OP
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Posts: 16 Manitoba, Canada | Just to clarify, the mast is the only challenge to rigging a boat alone for myself. I know there are rigs for that. So as long as I can rite the boat after I capsize... and I will... often. I want to be fast as possible for 10K with a 1 person at 200 pounds in reasonable physical shape.
Again, thanks for all the feedback! All feedback is good information at this point.
Rip and tear mend and repair, repeat
| | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: frozencdn]
#226410 01/07/11 04:55 PM 01/07/11 04:55 PM |
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 5,525 pgp
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Posts: 5,525 | ... what is the F16 like to point?
F16 points well but not nearly so well as the A class. No comparison really. F16 is a little bit difficult to take to weather, the wing mast takes some getting used to and you can find yourself in irons easily. Best vmg is not the highest point of sailing.
Pete Pollard Blade 702
'When you have a lot of things to do, it's best to get your nap out of the way first.
| | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: pgp]
#226412 01/07/11 05:25 PM 01/07/11 05:25 PM |
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 16 Manitoba, Canada frozencdn OP
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Posts: 16 Manitoba, Canada | The bate is set! I am truly focused on an A class now! HA HA, you did that on purpose I bet(kidding).
Now to find one and get it home for 10K... probably need to check with the wife too. Seriously, is an A class a good move. Can they be set up for fun and are they reasonably robust?
Stole this from another forum...
2001 - 2004 platforms - Boyer/AHPC Mark IV, AHPC Mark V/Auscat Flyer, Marstrom 2005 - present platforms - Auscat or Gel Tek Flyer, Bimare or Vectorworks XJ, Melvin A2/A3, Marstrom
Rip and tear mend and repair, repeat
| | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: frozencdn]
#226414 01/07/11 05:33 PM 01/07/11 05:33 PM |
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 5,525 pgp
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Posts: 5,525 | The bate is set! I am truly focused on an A class now! HA HA, you did that on purpose I bet(kidding).
Now to find one and get it home for 10K... probably need to check with the wife too. Seriously, is an A class a good move. Can they be set up for fun and are they reasonably robust?
Stole this from another forum...
2001 - 2004 platforms - Boyer/AHPC Mark IV, AHPC Mark V/Auscat Flyer, Marstrom 2005 - present platforms - Auscat or Gel Tek Flyer, Bimare or Vectorworks XJ, Melvin A2/A3, Marstrom
I'm an F16 guy but the people I know who sail "A"s love 'em.
Pete Pollard Blade 702
'When you have a lot of things to do, it's best to get your nap out of the way first.
| | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: frozencdn]
#226416 01/07/11 05:43 PM 01/07/11 05:43 PM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 9,582 North-West Europe Wouter
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Posts: 9,582 North-West Europe | The bate is set! I am truly focused on an A class now!
Choice is pretty simple really. Want to point upwind => A-cat Want to be home first on a round trip (fastest allround) => F16 No amount of pointing can undo the speed of the spinnaker on the return legs. Wiping the smile of your face after a good spi run is even harder ! F18's are excellent boat but just not for singlehanded sailors. Wouter
Last edited by Wouter; 01/07/11 05:44 PM.
Wouter Hijink Formula 16 NED 243 (one-off; homebuild) The Netherlands
| | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: Wouter]
#226418 01/07/11 05:54 PM 01/07/11 05:54 PM |
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 16 Manitoba, Canada frozencdn OP
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Posts: 16 Manitoba, Canada | Thanks again everyone, I have some thinking to do. And allot more research. I can't make it down to the keys but thanks for the invite. I am sure it will be a blast! I was there last Feb, awesome. I will check back for more posts later but I have to go for today.
All the best, Gord
Rip and tear mend and repair, repeat
| | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: frozencdn]
#226429 01/07/11 10:18 PM 01/07/11 10:18 PM |
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 713 WA, ID, MT davefarmer
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Posts: 713 WA, ID, MT | I have an F16 Stealth, and recently parted with a $4000 early 90s Boyer A cat. Both have exceptionally light masts, very easy to step solo. Both are extremely lightweight boats, at the expense of durability. Both are equally easy to right solo. Both are a royal blast to sail solo, I'd have trouble choosing a favorite. I also have an F18HT which I'll solo up to about 10 to 12 kts of wind, but it's really a 2 person boat. And I use a gin pole to safely raise that carbon mast. I can right it solo with an extended Solo Right, but it can be marginal for me at 160 lbs. Set up time on spinnaker boats is substantially more.
Dave
Last edited by davefarmer; 01/07/11 10:30 PM.
| | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: frozencdn]
#226431 01/07/11 10:58 PM 01/07/11 10:58 PM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 12,310 South Carolina Jake
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Posts: 12,310 South Carolina | Thanks again everyone, I have some thinking to do. And allot more research. I can't make it down to the keys but thanks for the invite. I am sure it will be a blast! I was there last Feb, awesome. I will check back for more posts later but I have to go for today.
All the best, Gord This board is about as impartial as a discussion of the merits of communism delivered by someone standing atop Lenin's Tomb during the annual May Day Parade. I'm an a-cat sailor and I say A-cat! The guy wants a fast, slick, singlehander. They just don't get any better. When I first got my a-cat I thought I would have to downshift my attitude to live with the downwind legs without a spinnaker. One trip up and down my home lake with a 12knot breeze and I couldn't quit giggling like a grade school girl. The hulls go through the water like razor blades and, dear GOD, the acceleration! You feel every change in the wind. If you only care to single hand and you want speed and finesse. A-cat. Period. I sail an 11 year old Boyer MKIV I bought for $7k and I have won regattas with some not-so-shabby competition handicap or straight up against newer a's. I've placed top half of the fleet for the last two years in Islamorada (which is probably where my ability is) with the 3rd oldest a-cat in the fleet. It is possible to sail an older a-cat competitively.
Jake Kohl | | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: frozencdn]
#226434 01/08/11 12:32 AM 01/08/11 12:32 AM |
Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 917 Issaquah, WA, USA H17cat
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Posts: 917 Issaquah, WA, USA | Biased, but you might want to look at the Hobie 17 again. Very rugged, one man boat, and plenty on the market. Lots of upwind speed, and fun out on the rack. Sailed in a Regatta on Lake Chelan last year with a Seaspray, NACRA 6.0 and two Hobie 18's. Sailing with a main and jib, could beat all on boat for boat. Seaspray won on corrected time.
Caleb Tarleton H-17 | | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: Jake]
#226439 01/08/11 06:06 AM 01/08/11 06:06 AM |
Joined: Jun 2001 Posts: 9,582 North-West Europe Wouter
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Posts: 9,582 North-West Europe | Hey Jake, Good to see you so content with your "new" toy. The hulls go through the water like razor blades and, dear GOD, the acceleration!
Ever tried sailing a lightweight spi-equipped singelhander ? Wouter
Wouter Hijink Formula 16 NED 243 (one-off; homebuild) The Netherlands
| | | Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class?
[Re: Wouter]
#226441 01/08/11 07:55 AM 01/08/11 07:55 AM |
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 4,118 Northfield Mn Karl_Brogger
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Posts: 4,118 Northfield Mn | Hey Jake, Good to see you so content with your "new" toy. The hulls go through the water like razor blades and, dear GOD, the acceleration!
Ever tried sailing a lightweight spi-equipped singelhander ? Wouter Nothing accelerates or de-accelerates like a A-Cat.
I'm boatless.
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