Hans emailed me with this ...

Dear G-Cat owner or interested buyer. I am writing to let you know that G-Cat will once again be building quality, fast boats. The G-Cat F-16 cat which is the boat pictured, will be the boat that we will be primarily building, although the 18 or 20ft boat is also availale . This extremely fast and light boat is rapidly becoming the new "it" boat. So naturally a "daysailor" version will be available, this boat has NO boom. G-Cat will also be producing most any replacement parts that may be needed. For any further questions contact: (Office)352-567-3228 or (Cell) 352-206-1999 or visit the website at www.g-catmultihulls.com


Thanks and Happy Sailing!!
Hans Geissler

Wow...that's a much bigger and faster boat than the old asymetrical beachcat of days gone by.

The GCat 16 was one of my most favorite boats of all time.
Hans builds some qaulity boats, good luck t him!

anyone know if there any link between these g-cat moulds being sold in australia?

http://www.nacra.com.au/news/famous-g-cat-catamaran-moulds-for-sale

Hans had the moulds for sale some years ago, not sure if its the same ones

The GCat 36 on the website has been under construction for some time and is now completed and on the water. It also appears to be for sale. Here is the Craigslist link.
36' G-Cat Power Cat - $299900 (Gulf Harbors, FL)

His new beach cats will carry a typical mid-pole snuffer. I see he is selling his infamous lime green gennaker.
Craigslist of reacher.

I'm not trying to use Catsailor as a For Sale ad for Hans, just pointing out that he has new ideas swiriling in his fertile brain. When he gets an idea he usually works it out!

IT may be efficient, but IMO its ugly as sin

I think I saw that powercat when I was down there. Not a looker in my opinion.

Where's the F16 info? Couldn't find anything on the website

Robi, it may be ugly to you but you have to give him credit for having an idea and producing real results. When was the last time you said, "I think I'll design and build a 36 foot power cat" and then did it.

Hmmm....I thought so. I think it's kinda cool, like a giant Stiletto.

The thing you didn't seem to notice is that Hans said F-16 , not GCat 5.0.

I had a discussion with Hans Geissler recently and he is planning to once again build a boardless F-16. The website flips between a banner that says Formula 16 racer and Family 16. He is committed to his deep V symmetrical GCat hull concept both as a racing platform or as a family cruiser. His first few F-16 hulls that some of you saw several years ago are probably contributing to his new design but I believe this will be an entirely new hull shape. He said these would be built of epoxy and painted, no gelcoat, in an effort to be at class weight for the F-16 box rule. I've seen him working out sail hardware on an old GCat testbed; Wingmast, self-tacking jib, and a mid-pole snuffer (no more furling gennaker). He is also producing rudder castings of his original design and a new blade design but everything made of lightweight composite.

This time he would like to build at least 5 boats when he gets his design optimized. I'd urge you to write to him and ask for details. He loves to talk about it and has always been able to produce what he dreams up. Whether you think a GCat can compete in the F-16 class, you have to give him credit for producing new things rather than just talking. Hans "Tesla" Geissler.

I had a strange feeling you would say something along these lines. I am not a designer or a boat builder, if I were to design something it would be worst that thing thing. I can think of much better looking boats to spend $30k+ on.
Its my opinion the vessel is hideous. I think the idea behind is for more functionality, kudose to Hans. He has been in the industry longer than I have been alive, not once did I ever knock that.

Case in point, look at the Buggatti Veyron, its a monster car, its cost is in the seven figures, but IMO its an ugly butt car and I would never spend that much money on a vehicle.

We are all entitled to say anything about something if its posted publicly on a open forum. Dont give me a hard time if you dont like what I have to say.

[/quote] I can think of much better looking boats to spend $30k+ on.[/quote]

I think I saw $300k, not $30k.

4th of July is coming up! Free speech and all that! Hip, hip hurray for the USA!

There is a magic in "doing". I have sailed four types of cats, not racing... and I prefer the 5.7's ride and reluctance to pitch poll. Hans sold 8 different kinds of cats, he told me he designed the G-Cat without the things he did not like about those 8 makes.

He is an energetic man. He has a lot of irons in the fire... I admire him.

Aesthetics aside, there's something to be said for having a forward trampoline to load coolers and bodies on. Das ist gut!

Amen! they sail wonderfully in a straight line too...they're a little tricky to tack with so much hull depth in the water.

I have never had a problem tacking my 5.7. The forward tramp was not mentioned in his email, I assume he will stick with it. I would not want to do without it. It allows a much greater use of the boat, including a tent site. If the jib harken fowls, one can easily approach it. Hans has a firm grip on utility. It makes no sense to be restricted from half your boat.

Once we practiced a bit, we could roll tack or 5.7 quite easily. Even with 360lbs+ crew weight and plenty of hull in the water. Just get your weight on the back corner of the windward soon-to-be leeward hull and drive it around with the main. I also really liked the stability on a screaming reach. Not sure it can truly compete with board cats in an F class, but I am glad to see them coming back.

I remember a couple years ago seeing a 36' sailing version of the g-cat on the website as well. I guess there wasn't a market for it.

The 5.0 and 5.7 were great boats that did tack easily, but the 21 was a bear. I couldnt tack it in heavy seas when it was blowing 20 plus, and we were too sceeered to gybe that day.

Hans does have some great ideas, and IMHO, his rudder castings are the simplest, most user friendly castings made.
Oh, and his charitable work is helping feed thousands of people world wide. He helps communities build fish farms to feed themselves.