I have decided to buy a used cat to sail while on vacation at the beach and on the lake at home.
I am in Maryland where there are not alot of cats for sale.
There is a rebuilt G Cat 5.o within driving range. What can you tell me about the gcat as compared to the nacra 5.2 the Prindle 15 or the hobie 16's....
condition is everything on a 20 year old boat, if it's got inspection hatches get a light in there and have a very good ;look around in case the rebuild has covered some things you'd rather see
The G-Cat is very comparable to the Prindle as far as hull volume and speed. Most I've seen have a forward tramp as well as a rear one, so you can load them up with people and equipment. I think it would make a great fist beach cat, especially if you plan to take crew regularly.
We sail with several G-cats (and the designer/manufacturer). They seem to be good boats. Have many positive features (front tramp, no boards, point well, fast) and seem to hold up very well.
Be careful with the Prindle 15. It is a uni-rig with a TINY tramp. It's a good boat but quite different from a sloop-rig 16, whatever the make. The GCat 5.0 is a great boat and might even have a front tramp if you're lucky. Lots of parts if you can find a boneyard. And they ARE out there.