Hi all,
I stumbled across your forum via a google search on a Sol Cat 18. An old post on the site led me to some great info and even a scanned old assembly manual and brochures! Now that's instant gratification.

The scary part though, is why I was looking up that info in the first place - and this is what I'd like to ask....

I have never sailed! I've been a sailee, but never a sailor. So lets say that I have an opportunity to take ownership of the aforementioned Sol Cat 18 for practically beer money. I feel OK that I can clean it up (although any tips of specifics to look for would be welcomed).

My big question is whether or not it is a terrible boat to learn on. Especially since I will probably be solo more often than not. I'm 6'3" 185 and am not an imbecile (understand the concepts of sailing). So while a modern 14' boat would surely be a better bet, it would also cost me a ton more. So what harm would befall me by giving this gift horse a ride?

Much thanks for any advice... hopefully I'll soon join your ranks.

Go for it. Just be careful...

Most likely, you WILL capsize at some point. And at your weight, you will not likely be able to right the boat by yourself. Just understand that.

GARY

where are you sailing?

that's a lot of boat for a newbie if it going to be used on a windy bit of coast with frequent strong winds that blow to sea

on a small lake with generally light gusty winds i was 2 years getting to grips with a 13 foot sailing dingy before getting my 17foot nacra 5.2

at 6'2" and 175lb? i have been unable to right the cat solo when it's gone over

in fact i wanted to take the cat out today but decided the wind was too stong and the water too cold so i took the mono

the wind kept building and i was more than happy with that decision

if it's so cheap by all means buy it and sail it on really light wind days. not a bad idea to get something else too if you have the space, then in a couple of years sell the 1 you are using the least

If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!

Talk to Sol cat owners, learn as much as you can about their cats good and bad habits. Learn what to look for to know whether it is in good condition or a disaster waiting to happen, what is its history? has it had regular maintenance, does it have hull/beam cracks, had major repairs, got corrosion in fittings, frayed wires etc.

Get advice, you could be buying a bottomless hole to pour your hard earned dollars down. You may have to undertake extensive repairs before you even get to the water ie new tramp, sails, wires, beams, rudders, trailer tyres, beach wheels.. the list go on and on.

If and when you get it wet, stay reasonably close to shore until you get your confidence up (especially if you do the wrong thing, something breaks, you need help or in the worst case have to swim to shore). Sail with other craft. Always, always wear a PFD.

Some cats can be incredibly forgiving until the wind rises just enough for their large sail area to turn them into powerful, difficult to control machines.

I see many cats sitting in backyards because owners are too intimidated to take them out.

I called my first cat 'Lemon' cos I paid and paid for my mistake.

I'll certainly take it slow. I've just been casually eyeing $1500-$2000 16' boats, but just saw this one for a few hundred, and was considering if I should jump on it. I do have a perfect breezy beginner lake a few minutes east, then a big windy lake a few minutes to the west (Champlain). I'll take my time working my way up to the bigger one.

Thanks for the good tips on what to watch for and be wary of. I'll take all that into consideration. It sounds like the hulls may have delamination on the tops, so it may be too much to get into - but I'll try to read more about that type of repair.

The biggest thing that concerns me though is the inability to right the boat. I view that as a must, so it sounds like this might be too much for me in that regard. Is a 16' boat that much of a difference? I know some people must go solo - maybe they have those special poles underneath or somethign?

With regard to the strong winds... is it not possible to only raise the sail partially to shrink it's area - or is it not designed to be rigged in such a fashion?

Thanks again for the feedback. Would anyone recommend a good general resource so I don't overdo it with the basic questions - I see the FAQ is mostly about the forum itself here.

I don’t know anything about Sol Cats but every other 18 i know (Hobie, Prindle, Mystere, Nacra, etc) are very powerful race boats and not a great choice to start with. They can get out of control very fast if a weather change pops up.

I would recommend starting light / smaller boat and less sail area (even then, you should try and hook up with experienced guys) and look into righting bags for WHEN you capsize if you plan to sail solo.

Lastly... as long as you don’t beat the boat up... most beach cats i have seen / owned keep their resale value very well and after a few years, you should be able to recoup most of your original investment and upgrade if/when you want a more powerful boat

As with all Extreme Sports sailing catamarans can be a HUGE rush. But you must follow some very basic safety rules.

Always tell some one on land were/what you intend to do

Never go out alone especially if there are no other boats/vessels around to render assistence.

Know your limits ... stick to them and do not second quess a decision. Your intital decision was most likely correct.

As you are dependent on help from strangers ... so are strangers dependent on you for help ie: WE ARE ALL OUR BROTHERS KEEPERS WHEN IN HARMS WAY.

The rule on our beach is: if the last boat is still out ... the second to last boat is still rigged and ready to go back out to render assistence. BUDDY SYSTEM RULES!!! Just like in the "Marines" you never leave someone behind or depend on some unknown person to render assistence (maybe).

Ask questions, have a positive attitude, and have fun !!!

HarryMurphey
H18mag/P19mx

There have been several SolCats on Lake Tavis over the years. The one guy who sailed the most was a good sailor to start with, just came across a cheap SolCat (but his kid worked at the sail loft and could fix the tramp & sails for almost nothing.

I do not think a Solcat is a good starter boat mainly for the following reason - hard to find parts. Although right now on our Craigslist, there are two or 3 all for less than $700 =$800 each. If I really wanted a Solcat right now, I'd go buy the best two of these 3 currently for sale, and have lots of spare parts.
It is not a bad design, just a little low freeboard, so you'll definitely get more spray than with a NACRA. Top of hulls are flat so when it starts to dig in, it can pitchpole like a Hobie. I'd consider it a lake boat, maybe OK on a flatwater bay, but it should *not* be considered a surf boat. You will definitely want to protect the bottom of the hulls when lauching, if you don't have a real nice soft beach to launch from. You can either get beach wheels $$, or here's a cheap alternative - buy 3-4 pieces of 10-ft sewer pipe (4"diameter, thinner wall than schedule 40). Throw these pieces on the ground under the hulls when you pull the boat off the trailer onto the ground, or when you pull onto rocky beach from the water. The pipes will keep your hulls up off the rocks.
Much of the rigging & settings you could copy from advice for an old NACRA like 5.2.

Good luck

If it is delaminated, then do not buy it. (Unless you really WANT a Sol Cat 18, and LIKE to learn how to repair these things.)

I'd recommend waiting for a solid Hobie 14 or a Hobie 16. They are out there for cheap, if you are patient. Start with a crew member, until you are confident and had experience righting a flipped boat with two people. Sailing with others is always more fun. Soloing can be more "spiritual", but take the risks in small doses as you learn to solo. I've dumped my boat soloing, but my lake allows me to float into shore, where I can walk the mast back up.-It's still embarrassing, as people come up to "rescue" you. I've got the regular lake users not to worry, if they see me flip.

I appreciate the advice... I've passed on the Sol Cat for the time being (there's a Prindle 16 teasing me now - not as cheap!). Signed up for a beginner dinghy course in early June. I'll get some time in 420's and take some time to watch the want ads for something. As much as I'm enamoured with the idea of a cat, I'm even wondering now if a solo single hull might be better for a mostly solo newb... but that's another topic...

Thanks again

Chilly good idea to get some instructed time in a boat and get confident on the wire, hopefully you'll learn heaps on the 420. Some of the most fun in sailing can be hunting down the right boat for you.
regards

that is what i did. i started with 420 owned for 7 years and then last year bought fx1. am glad that i had some experience with sailing before, because sailing with cats is more demanding than sailing with 420 or similar boat.every thing is hapening soo much faster on cats and your responses must be fast too. i just love it <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

hope you understand what i mean <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

ps:420 is much easier to right then cat and that is important at begining (IMHO)