Hey folks, I'm looking for someone to crew with in Southern California. I've never sailed cats, but I can get around ok on a monohull so I might be handy enough. I'm looking to buy my own boat one of these days (and F16 totally floats my boat, so to speak) and I'm hoping to race, so I'd love to sail on something sporty, but I'll take whatever I can get. I just want to get the hang of a cat and I realize beggars can't be choosers. All my best!

Chris

JW ... where ar't thou?

Thanks for looking folks, a couple of guys from the board have offered up a crew slot, so I think I'll be out and sailing as early as this weekend. If I survive I may well be joining your ranks soon. West Coasters, keep me in mind if you're ever looking for crew!
Thanks Again!
Chris

Frickin fantastic is all I can say. I'm hooked; and very jealous of you lot. My thanks to John for offering up a ride to a stranger. Very, very kind.
All my best!
-Chris

So we can assume you got a ride from John? Any details? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Sure! John and I met up Saturday morning. I did my best to get in the way of his setup routine with the Blade. He has a clever system of cables and blocks that raise the mast when he's on his own. Saddly, with a second guy there to lend a hand I didn't get to see that operation. My biggest concern with buying a cat is going to be setup I think. I live in Newport Beach and it's surprisingly difficult to get a small sailboat in the water here. There is a low bridge between the only launch ramp and the bay. Even my FJ is going to be a close fit, I'm pretty confident a F16 isn't going to make it under. Unless I can find mast up storage here I'm going to have to be patient and crew for others for a while. Not a bad idea in any case, right? I can also trailer the boat up to Long Beach and launch there as we did Saturday but that's a ton of work, especially for one. Props to John and the rest of you for your efforts! It's a lovely boat and an exciting concept. I guess I'll keep mulling things over and trying to figure out how to make the thing work for me.
The day was cold and a little drizzly, breeze looked okay at first then petered out about as soon as we were out on the water. Still, what breeze we had was enough to make the boat exciting for a monohull guy. I can't wait to get out in more wind. John is a great guy and fun to sail with: very patient and tolerant of my clumsiness around a new boat. Hopefully I'll be out and sailing again soon!
-Chris

You're a photogarapher? We're all vain. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Well now you've had a small taste, too bad the wind crapped out. Hopefully next time you will get some time out on the wire and play with the spinnaker.

The biggest problem is going to be finding a good place to keep the boat, mast up if you can. Try looking at any small yacht clubs, maybe they will let you join and keep it there. And ask all the Hobie guys on the main Forum where they put in.

Generally I take pictures of cars and motorcycles (tough life, right?) but I've been thinking more and more about finding a sailing magazine I like and shooting boats. The equipment is the same, but having seen a few races I'm guessing the skill set is different. It looks like I'd be shooting boats in the same way I might shoot soccer. There are so many more interesting possibilities open to a sailor than there are to a driver or rider, where there's usually only one really fast way around the track.
Yeah Timbo, you went straight to the meat of the issue I've been having. I've been keeping my FJ in the photo studio for lack of better digs. I'd really like to store it mast up at a yacht club here, but it's been a challenge finding one with open doors and harder still to find one with a dinghy garden also. The catamaran launch ramp in Long Beach was a great little put in and a cool area to sail in, but that's something of a haul every weekend. All of these issues are a pain as long as I have the FJ, but they're magnified further when I start looking at a bigger, wider boat.

Chris:
Enjoyed sailing with you. We'll definitely do it again. Can almost garauntee that there will be more wind next time.
I'll check the local regatta schedules. Maybe I can have someone to blame next time.
John