First post...looking for some general information.

I've wanted a catamaran since I was a teenager...and I hesitate to say how many years ago that was! Actually I recently turned 50 and the urge has hit me again...spring fever maybe. I have sailed in the past (mono hull), but am by no means proficient at it. Ultimately I would like to get to the point where I am skilled enough to enter races (likely on Lake Ontario.)

Where is a good place to start? Should I just dive off the deep end and go buy a used cat then figure it out as I go?...or should I try and hook up with someone who races and needs a partner? (do people even look for partners?)

From what I can tell so far your weight is an important factor to consider. I tip the scales at just over 200. Am I carrying too much lard to be considering a cat? Would I be better off with something 20' long instead of a 16' Hobie? (or is the shorter/smaller cat easier to learn on?)

Sorry for all the newbie questions...if somebody can point me in the right direction I'll keep doing my homework on it...just looking for a starting point here.

Thanks in advance.

Ron

Well, if you're in the upstate NY area, hook up with Fleet 204, buy a Hobie 16, and you'll be all set.

200 lbs is heavy for racing a Hobie 16, but you're not at the point you need to worry about trophies. They are cheap and plentiful, and Fleet 204 is huge and extremely helpful to newbies.

Mike

Sorry...should have mentioned I'm on the other side of the lake in Canada! About 40 minutes west of Toronto.

A Hobie 16 would be a great cat to start with, but you may also want to look at or for, a P-16 or even a Nacra 5.0. If you find these too heavy...mast and boat, you may want to consider a Sea Spray 15...One man boat, no traps, 20'mast that you can handel like a fishing pole (Very light) and the rig full up weighs in at 200 lbs. (15' long and 6' wide)they are popular in Canada. www.Canadianseaspray.com I think..

There are two cat fleets in your area,one in Burlington bay at Lasalle Park and the other one is under the Burlington Skyway called the Beach Bums.There is an open cat regatta at the Lasalle Park location,usually around 30 boats on May24 & 25. Come down and join the fun.
I race an A-Class catamaran but also have a Prindle 19 (two-person) catamaran. If you are interested, get in touch with me by PM and I will be happy to take you out for a sail.

Fred...thanks for the offer. I couldn't get the PM feature to work, but I would definitely be interested in taking you up on the offer.

I used to live down in Burlington but am now up in Cambridge. Years ago I sporadicly crewed on a sailboat out of the BYC in Hamilton harbor races. I've forgotten more than I ever learned though.

Maybe try sending me a PM here and I'll get my e-mail address to you so we can keep in touch on it.

Thanks again.

Hi Ron,
I would recommend coming out to one of the events to talk to the guys and going for a few test sails before you buy a boat. There are lots of options available. The local regatta calendar can be found at:
http://www.nacra.ca/2008-orca-schedule.pdf

There is a training event in Guelph on May 10-11 but the first big event of the year is in Burlington on May 24-25. Send me an email if you want more info:
dave@nacra.ca

Dave

This is what I had in mind but didn't know how to get in touch with people. Thanks for the info.

I know from my many years being involved in motorcycle racing that people there are all to happy to invite newbies into the sport and share information. Certainly looks like it is the same in this fraternity of cat sailors.