hey guys, I am interested in looking at a fast cat which can be single handed easily. The Inter 17 looks like it would be a lot of fun, I like the idea of having a spinnaker. This would be used on either the east or west coast of Florida (Tampa or Melbourne). Any advice on different cats that would fit the bill. The price range would be about 5G at the most.

thanks,
pete

I love my FXone. Tough to find an FXone for less than $5k though.

Same comments and problem with a F16.

and a nacra 5.2 is going to be too cheap unless you add a bolt on spinnaker kit

nah it'd still be too cheap

still the infusion 17 is a nice boat

eric e

Does your budget include a trailer? 5K is what I would have expected to pay for a used boat and trailer 10 years ago, before they put shutes on single handed boats. The F 17 is a good class. It would be great to see more in Florida. If you want a good used one check out Michigan. That is where the bulk of the fleet currently resides. Lots of good clean boats up in the land of fresh water. Right now they are all on trailers and in storage...just lookin for a warm home.

For that price you -might- be able to pick up a used Nacra 5.5 Uni rig, w/trailer, then add a spinnaker.

There is a classified section above you can look at for prices.

Of course, if you want to race in the Tampa and Melborne area of Florida, that is where a lot of Blades (F-16's) are located, but they being so new, will not be in that price range.

I can always sell you my blade, sadly not for that cheap.

I bought my 2002 Mystere 4.3 for $3000 and got a squaretop main, blade jib AND a snuffer spinnaker. There ARE good deals out there, you just have to look.

Doug

hey guys thanks for the replies so far.

The hobie fx one does look pretty sweet, but obviously a little expensive. Couldn't find anything on a Nacra 17 infusion, found an 18 though? I found one Nacra 17 for sale in texas for 3k, so it seems if i can find one of these it would work out. The Nacra 5.2 & 5.5 are managable single handers? I guess i'll have to look into those and adding a spinnaker. Yeah I was hoping to get a trailer too, but once I have it at a marina just keep the mast up and put it on a beach dolly.

thanks,
pete

I sail my 5.2 single handed and it is a blast, also I just added a spin kit a few weeks ago and love it!

Once you find a boat you should join us at Gulfport Yacht Club. www.gulfportyachtclub.com

you'll need to add $500 to your budget for beachwheels ... unless you make some homemade ones (then material costs will be about $100).

And, BTW, this would be one of my earliest investments.

I've been sailing my 5.2 with an I-17 spin solo for about 3 years here in Cocoa Beach area and love it! Just won the Daytona Turkey Trot and took home a 15 lb bird too boot! The 5.2 is an inexpensive option for a performance single handed boat... I previously joked about starting the Formula 5.2 class where you start with a Nacra 5.2 and modify the hell out of it for your own satisfaction and come race!

There you have it ... the beginning of the Super Modified 5.2 with Spin' (that you get to fly for free .. 0.0003 hit on the Portsmouth number--makes Frankenstein the guy to chase!!)
.... AND no maybe UCFHobie

That's the F'n5.2 Class.

With the money I saved buying a N52 versus a new Blade like you, I was able to buy an N20 to add to the 5.2! Nothing says luv'n like cash in my pockets!

And the last time you sailed in a N20 or N5.2 fleet other than your NAs?

ha, the 5.2 sounds pretty good. Hey fearless do you get to do a lot of singlehanded racing on your 5.2 on the space coast? What are some reasonable double handed weights for this boat? I could do the 5.5 the same as well i guess too huh? thanks for the replies so far.

The Nacra 5.5 (Uni or SL) would be good and should easily be with-in your 5K budget. I used to have one, with a spinnaker, and single handed all the time. The biggest disadvantage compared to a newer boat, such as the F16's, is the weight. It can be a problem righting the boat single handed, and is a little more difficult to move around the beach. I know of one for sale in Texas if your interested.

My Nacra pages:
go to http://taipanic.us/ and click on the Nacra Pages link on the second line.

That is a huge spinnaker, it must be an older style because it looks really full.