I have a nacra 5.2 and I have been sailing a mono hull for about a year. I have restored my 5.2 and have sailed with my 17 year old son about 10 times in light winds.

What would you guys recommened for max speed for safe sailing at my experiance level.

thanks airborne

Without rescue craft I would stick to 15kts or less. It will be a handfull at 15kts but manageable. 15 over things start to happen much more quickly and I found during my adapting from monohull to cat it was being too slow or unable to predict the boats reactions that caused the most problems.
My hardest habbit to break was rounding up when in trouble. When pointing its fine but when reaching at speed its more likely to capsize you from the force of tunrning the boat causing it to kind of trip itself up and capsize. When your in trouble and about to capsize release the main and steer downwind dont round up.

Find other cat sailors in your area. I can't stress that strongly enough.

I agree with Pete, always go out with someone. If you can't make sure the wind is blowing onshore. so if you have turned over you will be blown to shore if you can't get it back up. If the winds shifts, COME IN!!!

Doug

Once you get comfortable with the boat which you should be by now after 10 sails... I would say up to 18knts would be okay. I have had my 5.2 out in 25 with a crew and believe me things are wild. Solo I do not go above 20.

depends on the waters you are sailing in as well. Offshore breeze of 20 kn taking you to Cuba? Unless you want a change then wouldn't go out in that. The same in a small lake? The same in a bay? Maybe.
I used to get the willies about going on in high wind, but not anymore. I feel better going out in high wind on the HT than the 6.0

Ten outings and a year or so on a cat doesn't sound like a lot of experience to me. Work your way up slowly and trust your instincts. Things are radically different at, say, 15 knots as compared to five.

If you're lake sailing around Dallas, I'm guessing you get similar weather to that here in central MS. When they call for 10 to 15 mph winds, it's more like 3 to 23, and it's the shifts and gusts that'll flip your stick. Learn to read the water and anticipate these. Further, I prefer an "offshore" breeze while sailing in heavier air on our local reservoir. It's lined with rip-rap in most areas, so I wanna' be as far from the lee shore as possible in order to have plenty of righting time if I flip.

Finally, beware of those daily afternoon thunderstorms this summer. You cannot outrun them, and there's usually no wind 'til that cold downdraft hits. Typically its hot/dead calm/95% humidity, then cold/rain/lightning/40 kts. of swirling hell, then back to hot/dead calm/100% humidity....all in a 30 minute span. I don't lake sail much in the summer.

Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi

10 Outings isn't alot of experience but he should have a good feel for the boat.

With two adults you should be fine up to 15 knots. I wouldn't go over that until you are very comfortable with the boat(righting). I've been out on the 5.2 in winds just over 20 knots and it is absolute insanity. I don't sail solo over 10 knots without other boats in the area. Even with crew, I don't go out in anything over 18-20 knots. I don't want to break anything, including myself. My favorite conditions are 8-10 knots singlehanded. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well I do sail on a lake and the winds are maybe 5- 10 and gusts to 20. I think I will stick to the lower winds untill I get a little more experiance. I do only sail with other people.

Thanks for all the in-put

airborne