I have sailed mono's most of my life but would like to get something more "fun". I like the look of the F16's and single handed sailing is a big plus for me.

Would you recomend it as a starter cat? Growing into it skill wise? Rigging one at the beach with one person?

I am looking forward to your replies,
Scott S.

Scott,

Where are you based?

Not by yourself. You need to be around people with experience. You wouldn't believe the difference in performance, particularly under spinnaker, so there's no point in going into it.

Tell us where you are, we'll try to match you up with someone.

The rigging can be a little daunting the first time out, but with some patience and scheming it can be done single handed. Sailing the boat is not that hard. The boats are well balanced from a steering perspective, the sheet loads on the main are handled very well by the 8:1 or 9:1 block systems and the asymmetrical spin flies like a huge offwind jib (in the simplest of terms). If you’ve been sailing a lot on other boats you can get these boats around without too much hassle. Obviously, the more extreme the conditions become –the more skill it takes (as with any boat). It would be prudent to when and where you start your sailing. Singlehanding requires a deeper look at conditions and recoverability (righting solo, getting the boat sorted, etc.). Obviously, learning in a vacuum with no others around will slow the improvement process.

Having said that, racing these boats at the pointy end of the fleet is difficult and requires a lot of practice. Racing is always more demanding – getting 80% out of these boats is easy; 15% can be gained by time on the water and the last 5% requires a dedicated training/coaching/fitness program.

I do agree with PGPs idea of getting together with others. It is what makes sailing more fun anyway.

As for a starter cat… the positives are high performance, latest designs, growing fleets for racing, latest and greatest gear, easy to manage on the beach, sexy. The downside is price point for a “starter cat”. The second hand market is growing, but you will still spend some cash – so it depends on what you want it for, how you will use it and how much you are willing to invest. Multihulls give you the best “bang for your buck” as related performance, but that does not mean they are cheap

Where are you located?

Matt has a used Blade and demo Falcon for sale on the Falcon Marine web site. $12K on the Blade with reconditioned hulls. I bought one of these reconditioned boats from him and have been very happy. There may also be an older Blade for sale and a newer Falcon at the end of the season. Located in the Chicago area.

I don't think I had as much sailing experience as you, but what expeience I did have was on cats. I spent the first season learning how to sail it. Now I am trying to figure out the racing part.

tshan's comments are on target in terms of rigging and the 80/15/5 breakout.

Even if you never race, these boats are very fun.

What kind of Mono's did you sail? Big keel boats or little dinghys?

I made the same transition about 12 years ago. The learning curve going to Cats from mono's is steep and the F16 is not a "forgiving" entry level cat like say, the Hobie 16 or 18. It will let you know when you get it wrong, but if you have lots of time on a Laser or 470 or 505 or 49'r, it's not a hard transition, just different and things happen at 3x the speed, so you have to be thinking way ahead of the boat, even more so when you put up the spinny.

There is an excellent book available right here on this web site called Catamaran Racing for the 90's which will answer many of your questions, I highly recommend it and as others have said, best to go with someone who knows what they are doing first time out.

Link to book: http://store.catsailor.com/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=6437&idcategory=99

Scott

As others have said; what other boats have you sailed before; Anythingb with an Asym kite?

Unless you've sailed a 49er or similar the speed down wind will be a complte revalation. You will never have been as fast upwind!

Located in southern Oklahoma, lake Hefner is about 1.5 hours and its about 2 to any lake in DFW.

Pete, the difference in performance is exactly what I'm looking for. If you know someone within 2.5-3hrs of my area I don't mind a drive to crew or just a few learner hops.

Thanks again,
Scott S.

Fly to Tampa from Oklahoma City ($228 round trip) or Orlando ($218 round trip) ... plan a long weekend and you can catch a ride with one of us.

If you schedule around Wildcat (Oct 1 -2) you could probably crew for someone on a F16. (If you do this fly into Orlando)

Terry

BTW, Gulfport Yacht Club (Tampa Area) has club races each 1st and 3rd Saturday thru October.

My Dad is in Ardmore, OK, there's a big lake near him. You close to that?