Nice catamarans all. I missed that post from DougSnell about the 570 in CA. That looks like a very nice boat and includes everything I need (trailer,beach wheels). I think I'll send an email today! If I bought it, the next hurdle is how do I get all that stuff from there to here (6000 miles away diagonally across the continent and the border)? Time to do some research on the transport industry...

Hey Pepin, awesome info. Are you saying you handle the main, jib and spin alone on the F16? Or just the Main and spin?

If the 570 doesn't work out you should try a Nacra 5.8, your budget would get close to a new one, they don't need a spinnaker and are very forgiving when your first getting used to it then if you get serious you can learn how to power it up. The downside is learning how to handle the weight on the beach, the beach wheels need to be under the middle then you can put it on and off the trailer on your own. They've got high buoyancy bows I never pitchpoled mine even when jumping one wave into the middle of the next, no boom and 4 people for cruising is fine. It's got a big jib, if you get serious about pointing up as in racing and your wife is not too strong she would have to hand you the jib sheet for you to pull the last bit on.

A class compliant F16 is main+spi solo, Main+jib+spi in duo. But I've used my jib solo before, only in low wind however, when it's windy you don't need the jib there is enough power as it is. Not to mention that I only have two hands and that's already not enough

check here

http://www.catsailor.com/cs_classifieds.html

and these

2006 nacra f18 in texas $6000
http://www.thebeachcats.com/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/10439/cat/1

2008 nacra 570 in cali $11,000
http://www.thebeachcats.com/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/10411/cat/1

2008 alter cup capricorn f18 in florida $12,000
http://www.thebeachcats.com/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/10405/cat/1

2002 hobie tiger in new york $10,000
http://www.thebeachcats.com/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/10398/cat/1

Thanks for the reply.

There is a NACRA 5.8 listed in Vermont listed in the classified section - that seems a bit more closer than the 570 in California.

Also check out New England Catamarans I'm sure Rick has his ear to the ground on folks looking to sell their boats.

Also the Cat House http://www.cathouse1.com/main.htm

Take the 5.8 for a run on a reach in 17kts, keep it flat and watch all the fine spray around the back of you while you stay dry as the boat with its wide flat hulls skips like a pebble accross the top of the chop then try the others. Or do the same with 3 people in 20 kts

Old Salt - I'm the AHPC dealer in Canada and am bringing back a trailer with a C2 F18, 2 Viper F16's and a Taipan in a few weeks - one more boat wouldn't be an issue!!! Let's chat! I live in Halifax NS and have brought back MANY different cats over the past 10 years. We're trying to get a racing fleet together in Halifax but it's been a struggle to find people who want to buy boats. We would love to have a local training partner as our current group is a 10 hour drive away!!!

Call me anytime 902-452-7595.
Chris

Old Salt,
Your gonna want to take Chris up on his transport offer. I've bought several boats all over the US, and I've either had to go get it, or find a catsailor willing to drag it to me for a reasonable fee.

Dave

Absolutely! I'm at work right now and shouldn't really be here but hey, this is important stuff! I spent some time looking at various boat transport options on the weekend and from what I found, any kind of reliable service is going to charge $2500-$3500 dollars (or more) depending on distance, so Chris, you'll be getting a call today...

Old Salt,

I'm around all afternoon today - call or e-mail anytime. I live in Halifax, however also have a cottage in Northport on the Northumberland Straight. We're having an awesome training camp / regatta off the shores of Northport in July and would love to have another local partake!!! First regatta since the old Hobie 16 days about 10-15 years ago. Great fun!

Let's chat!

Chris
452-7595
prenticechris@hotmail.com

Had a great chat with Chris on the phone this afternoon! He has a lot of contacts with boat owners looking to sell that aren't necessarily online, knows some of them personally as well. Having a local dealer for support also makes great sense. We'll be in touch quite a bit over the next week or so before he heads across the border...
It's unfortunate that we're just now dealing with a much-loved family member who was recently admitted to our Palliative Care center, but I hope that I can arrange things so as not to miss a great opportunity. Thank you everyone for all your help and advice - I'll be out on the water soon, with any luck.

Hope your family gets well.

PS don't worry about missing an opportunity, there will always be boats for sale~!

Buy a Wave. That is what you had fun on while on vacation. Easy to sail, trailer, set up, etc.

Umm...no. If I weighed 170lbs and had a strong desire to sail singlehanded...I think it would still be no. It's the smallest boat I've ever been on, and I like my space. Did you read my requirements? My impression of the Wave was not positive, although I'll grant that the boat might have had some serious de-tuning done to it by the resort folks to keep newbie guests safe. The huge amount of weather helm was just one issue. Having to use the hiking straps on the wrong side of the boat, ditto. Having the boat shudder to a near-halt at every wave was another. Not enough power to keep that much mass in motion...

Not to worry - other plans are taking shape nicely.

I'm buying a boat - a 2007 Capricorn! Should be here mid-June, which gives the water here time to warm up a bit.

Great boat ,should give you a lot of fun.

Fred

Where is your boat coming from? Was it the one from Long Beach?
Great boats you will enjoy it.

This Capricorn is coming from Florida, actually. The current owner is moving up to a C2 from what I've been told.

"2006 Race ready AHPC Capricorn. Includes Main, practice jib, race jib, practice spinnaker, race spinnaker. Trailer not included. Beach wheels negotiable. Tuned and setup by a professional Tornado racer. (Last raced March 2010 in Gulfport, FL - first place)".

I think I'll be happy :-)