http://www.falconmarinellc.com/models.htmlCome on down to sunny Florida and test drive a new Blade or Falcon F16...the NACRA 570/580 had its day...today belongs to F16. A lot has changed in the last ten years, let alone the last 30...check it out before commiting to anything.
As much as I love my F16, it's not the boat for everyone. Weight of the crew, skills, usage, predominant wind speed where you are going to sail are all factor to take into consideration.
Why don't you tell us:
* what conditions are predominant in the part of the world you are going to sail in? More than 20 knots of wind frequent? Or mostly 8 to 10 knots? What kind of waves, short chop, long rolling waves?
* Launch facilities? Beach launching in surf? A nice ramp in a protected area? Rocky beach? How far will you need to move the boat by hand?
* Not much water and rocks lurking under the surface or nice deep water?
* There is no trapeze on a wave, the boats you talk about are double trapeze. Just so you prepare your wife
* Do you intend to race around buoys? Go for day trips? Or just sail back and forth on a screaming reach?
* Always the two of you? Being able to sail alone a desirable thing? Or want to take two buddies to go the the island a couple of miles away?
* A rough budget?
Answers to those questions would narrow your choices by indicating a rough approximation of:
- What rig power you need, and how to control it (no trapeze, one trapeze, dual trapeze)
- Daggerboard or centerboard or neither
- Weight and length of the platform
- Hull material (heavy but tough, or light but delicate)
- A spi is fantastic, but could be intimidating...
And so on... We can help you narrowing the choice to 3 or 4 models. Once that's done contact the manufacturers or an active fleet and ask for a ride.
