All,

I need some advice. I'm looking for a cartop multi that I can play with/race while the kids are figuring out what their passions are. So, I think I've got Strategery sold, an am currently looking at a Weta trimaran at the top of the list.

The reason I want a cartop is that I'll be putting it on top of the car we tow behind our RV...want to be able to easily set it up wherever we roam to either singlhand or race with the kids.

I was thinking A-Cat, but the mast would likely be too long - the Weta (which I've never sailed or seen in person) seems to be getting good reviews and may be scaling up to have some kind of class presence.

What other boats should I be looking at? Think fun with the kids - damn fast and occasional racing.

Thanks for the counsel in advance...

The Strategery you're referring to selling is the monohull, right?

Look to the European multis for what you want, I think there's more variety there.

You can take apart a Wave, and there's the Windrider trimarans too.

I have to cast my vote for a Hobie Wave for all the reasons you mention. The SE version is made to be disassembled more easily, just for car-topping. The mast is two pieces. The hulls are nearly indestructible. It's simple to sail, stable and bouyant. Not the fastest cat, but faster than a sunfish or laser or any other starter boat. If you're in a resort area, you will see lots of them. And Rick White is pushing fleets and class racing all over.

Sorry girl...the tri.

I talked with Randy and he thinks an A-cat is the way to go...good for racing, good for the kids and I can muscle it on top of the car.

I like the Weta because I dig tri's and it looks like I could have a blast sailing it.

Don't want the windrider/wave, although Paul G. sure looked good in this months issue - who knew that boy could sail?

You are joking here right ?!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Wouter

of all the suggestions so far, I have to agree with the Weta.

Sorry but I don't think of "Kids" and "A Class" belonging in the same sentence except in the context of: "Keep your kids away from my [expensive] A-class!"

Got it. Thx.

Wouter - wasn't kidding. You don't like the idea?

If you want to race, who are you going to race a Wetta against? There aren't too many in the states. The A cat is fine for you, but the kids? They would be better off on a Wave. You can race it when they aren't playing on it, or get both, you can chase them around your A cat while they learn to sail on the wave. The A cat is the lightest, so if that's the issue, that's the boat, but it's not a kid's toy.

What about Ian's new F-22? Doubt that it is car-toppable, but who knows.
And you can come teach me how to sail my 31 if you ever get the longing for the big tris!

Weta would be more PHRF (although I don't think they have one assigned yet) racing than OD. I personally don't like sailing the Wave, so I don't think that's on the list.

PTP - happy to come play on the 31 - they are fun boats.

Crap...so many boats...so little time...

A-cat is excellent at what it is intended to be. A high performance uncompromising racing machine. You don't want your kids near it and you don't want your kids sailing it.

Apart from that, I'm not to sure that putting the A-cat platform on the roof of your car is something you want to do by yourself in any decent wind. Big surface area and very low weight. But more importantly how do Police officiers in the USA look upon a 30 ft mast protruding out the back and front by ohhh 7 feet.

Over here that is a sure call to get pulled over and receive the full treatment.

Wouter

Fair enough.

The mast would go on top of the 40' RV, so overhang not a prob, but I would probably cry every time I scratched my hull or foils because it was an awkward lift or the kids banged it on the rocks...so thanks for the sanity check.

A Laser is a good, cheap, easy to car top sailboat, no, it's not as fast as a cat, but in a good blow it's quite a ride, there are fleets all over the place and plenty of used ones available. The kids really can't hurt it too much either.

Cliff,

Ian Lindhal cartopped his Marstrom on his Suburban for a year, it's doable.

I've taken kids and girlfriends sailing on my A-Class with no problems. Just use good sense. Don't exceed 250-275 lbs of crew weight and don't do it in over 15 knots of wind.

The boats are actually quite strong but you need to recognize they are not Hobie Cats. Treat them with care and you will have no problems.

oops, weight 1400 lbs

Maybe rethink this. Get a bigger boat and put it on a trailer, and then put the car on top of the boat. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

or sell the car buy a double stack trailer and get two boats, one for you and one for the kids.

And the little smart car is only about 5' wide and long so you can park one between the bows if you need a car.

Mary...Its a Hummer...it will only fit on top once...

Let me make sure i understand, you want to put a Weta (or catamaran) on top of a car, that is then pulled behind a RV?... Boy i hope i am not behind you at the toll plaza!

LOL

Ok...

Here is my suggetion...

It is light weight

The kids will love it

You wont care if you scratch it

and

its VERY buoyant!

yeah, but what does it rate?