hello to all
i am new to this forum and to cat sailing.
i have a 420 and i love it , but i start looking for a more adrenalin sailing a few years ago, then i saw top cat runing, no actualy was flying on the sea. love at first sign. but i didng have monny at that time.
now i have a beter job and i can aford it , not new but used

i found 2 cats in my contry , for same mony
1. fx-one -like new
2. top-cat K2

witch one is better for 1 man racing <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> and for ocasionaly family sailing

fx is my favorite at the moment- best looking. sorry but i didnt found any test for no one

can you help me decide

thank you verry much and sorry for my english

igor

I don't know what the topcat is but I have heard that the FX-1 is a pretty hot ride.

I've sailed an FX-One for three years and would definitely choose that, especially if they cost the same.<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
IMHO the topcat design is a bit dated and doesn't have daggerboards.

Go with dagger boards.

igorn, where are you sailing.

What is the common conditions ?

These will help us advise you/

The top cat is a great ride and a very sensible boat for a new to cat guy who has good skills in mono but wants to go faster.
Normally I would say that dagger boards are good but this boat is fast as and sensiibly thought out. You can run it into a hard bit and the rudder casings just flick out.
Like a much better and much faster Hobie getaway.
Great family boat. Not too much spiderweb on deck to get caught up in with the kids. Great to cruise on and beach.
The only reason I can think of to go for a different boat is if you want to fleet race.
Another mono feels the force and comes over to the dark side.

Why would anyone NOT want one of these???!!

Now, the most important thing as a new convert is that you ask and read as much as you can about righting catamarans. This is not because it is such a PITA but because it is a series of understandings and actions that will make your conversion easier and more fun.
Good righting rope/equipment takes away stress and allows a much more aggressive attitude to present itself.

thak you, for quick responses
i am from Slovenia, Europe ,i mostly sail in north part adriatic sea and where i live is a small lake 3km long and 200-500m wide.
both cats are whith trailer ,made same year 2002 and same price 6500 €. fx is in bether shape.
i like to know if the are any dificulty to put cat back on right side if he capside. i mean for one man . my weight is only 70 kg

thank you

One person can have some trouble but there are methods used to assist. You may only weigh 70kg but with a few water bags hanging from your harness you can efectively increase your weight or use a righting pole to get more leverage. Search the word righting there is plenty of detailed discussions on this topic..

i did a search and i found Power Righter System
did some one have this, or has tried to use it, could i make it by myself?
any other opitons

thank you

edit:
i also found that are serious problems rigting fx1 by self without any aid, isnt soupose to be singlehanded cat?

Yes it is supposed to be a single handed Cat. You might need a righting pole or carry water bags. I had an Inter 17 (similar size) and could only right it when it was windy.

You can easily build a "power righter" yourself with parts from an old windsurfer mast, some line and bungees. The devil is in the details, especially how you are going to get enough leverage to right the boat all the way before you and the end of the power righter is submerged enough to cancel your leverage/weight.
We built one for our old and overweight Tornado, which worked OK. I would still prefer a cat suitable for one-up sailing, as the rig/sailarea is more suitable for one person. Especially so if you live in an area with unpredictable weather.

Here are some pretty good shots of the power righter:

http://www.hobiecat.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=6558

Doug

thank you for link
i just return home with my new toy <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
actualy dont look like one it is much biger that 420 and look more serius
i buy it - fx-one for 5900€

i think we stay in touch <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


whish me luck

Good luck Igorn, I am sure you will be happy!

Please take care and test righting procedures in calm conditions near land before you venture further out and start experimenting/learning.

off course
privius owner promise me to teach me how to deal with it
he say that he never have problems to righting it, that is mater of time not force and that i don need any help do do it

Well doone, you are going to have sooo much fun! The boat will be harder to right with no wind, so that practice is about getting used to the bottom of the boat, where equipment is and how you will set your body etc.
You are a mono sailor so your reactions will be over the top for a while and keep you upright.

yesterday was a day!
after a 3 hour of asemby, i put in the water. the sea was calm wind was 6-7 knots, perfect for beginer. i took a frend with me and after 200m we were glindig on 1 hull,with speed close to 10 knots
dont know the words to describe feeling we both have

cat is verry sensitive on ruder (i have to hold it very strong)and sail and need constant triming. a lot of work to do;)
i am verry impresed and i learnd so much about sailing in just one day.
i was very sourprised to see 15 other cats in sailng club,
and that any one that was present give as a hand and advise how to deal with it

i thin im inlove again <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

igor

Igorn,

When you say you have to hold the rudders tight/hard, is the boat trying to constantly head upp into wind. It could be that they need some adjustment. A little weather helm is usually desirable, but having to hold on real tight is not. Sail trimming is always required <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />