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Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! #217376
08/10/10 04:23 PM
08/10/10 04:23 PM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3
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capttony Offline OP
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capttony  Offline OP
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Anxious to get back to sailing after 20 years away; getting married, starting a business, and raising kids. I've owned and raced a Hobie 16 and later a Nacra 5.2 and various monohulls to 35 feet. I even had a Hobie 12, anyone else remember these rigid cats, more of a toy than catamaran IMHO!

My kids are now 12 and 14 and I am looking for a boat to teach my them the beauty and responsibility of life under sail and the thrill of flying a hull.

We will sail 90% of the time off the beach in North Florida, I'm 220#, wife 140#, two kids 110# ea. I could see the majority of time sailing with one or both kids, occasionally all four out for a cruise. I'd like the option to solo sail and right a boat myself, I doubt we will race. I'd rather not deal with daggerboards or lock down rudders like my Nacra had sailing off the beach. From my research reading this wonderful forum, I think I have settled on either a Prindle 18 classic, 18-2 or 19. Budget $2-3,000, maybe a bit more for a great boat.

Am I on the right track? Thanks in advance for any guidance.

-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: capttony] #217377
08/10/10 04:52 PM
08/10/10 04:52 PM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,203
uk
TEAMVMG Offline
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TEAMVMG  Offline
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Same old problem. You want to carry 2/3 people and right it singlehanded - you are going to have to compromise somewhere

p18 or n570 are good
places to start


Paul

teamvmg.weebly.com
Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: TEAMVMG] #217378
08/10/10 05:17 PM
08/10/10 05:17 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,116
Annapolis, MD
Mark Schneider Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Mark Schneider  Offline
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Annapolis, MD
Ditto!


crac.sailregattas.com
Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: Mark Schneider] #217379
08/10/10 05:32 PM
08/10/10 05:32 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,403
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Ventucky Red Offline
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Ventucky Red  Offline
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Originally Posted by Mark Schneider
Ditto!


Ditto plus one.

Can't go wrong with a Prindle 18 or the 18-2.

Last edited by Ventucky Red; 08/10/10 05:33 PM.
Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: TEAMVMG] #217380
08/10/10 05:44 PM
08/10/10 05:44 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 271
Atlanta, Ga
BLR_0719 Offline
enthusiast
BLR_0719  Offline
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Atlanta, Ga



Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: capttony] #217392
08/11/10 06:10 AM
08/11/10 06:10 AM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 75
Clearwater, FL
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stevefisherkeller Offline
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stevefisherkeller  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 75
Clearwater, FL
1989 Dart 20 -- Tornado main sail & furling jib. Cat Trax beach wheels, Aluminum Sail Box. Trailex Aluminum trailer with new tires, springs, & SS Buddy bearings. Back-up second set of complete rudders. Boat is ready to sail, add water & wind. $2800.00 Might be worth a trip south;)
Steve Fisherkeller 727-458-5405 catsailor33781@gmail.com (FL)()Aug)


Steve Fisherkeller
P19MX
Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: stevefisherkeller] #217397
08/11/10 11:03 AM
08/11/10 11:03 AM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 149
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TurboCat Offline
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Sounds like you need a Nacra F17. Easily rightable sole and if you want to load it up with the family and cruise it can do that too.
Id look for a boat with the least amount of stuff on the tramp if you plan on taking it out with 4 people on it. Jib sheeting to front beam will be great for all the crew.

Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: TurboCat] #217398
08/11/10 11:49 AM
08/11/10 11:49 AM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,253
Columbia South Carolina, USA
dave mosley Offline
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dave mosley  Offline
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Columbia South Carolina, USA
GCat 5.7 is a good option, especially with front tramp and no boards


The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" Matthew 8:27





Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: dave mosley] #217399
08/11/10 12:31 PM
08/11/10 12:31 PM
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capttony Offline OP
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capttony  Offline OP
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Many thanks for the info guys!

I had contacted many of the Craigslist boats, but rarely get reply from the owners (like is the mast straight?). I guess they are looking for someone to drive up a buy the boat immediately. I tend to research. No internet when I bought my last boat! What a valuable tool, otherwise I would have gone out and bought another Hobie 16. Was great boat, just need more options now.
I think the cat forum advertisements are probably better kept boats and were I will concentrate my efforts.
Steve, very nice boat, I will consider it.
Thanks Turbo for the suggestions to keep the tramp clean, that is more important to me than infinite trimming options. Just the kind of practical advise I was looking for. I'll check out the Nacra F17.
Dave, I will also research the GCat, I have not seen one.
Thanks again, back to shopping.....

Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: capttony] #217400
08/11/10 12:45 PM
08/11/10 12:45 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,307
Asuncion, Paraguay
Luiz Offline
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Luiz  Offline
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Asuncion, Paraguay
Whatever boat you choose, add a righting pole to aid singlehanded righting.


Luiz
Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: Luiz] #217402
08/11/10 12:55 PM
08/11/10 12:55 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 975
South Louisiana, USA
Clayton Offline
old hand
Clayton  Offline
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Posts: 975
South Louisiana, USA
Hey, want a 5.2?

C

Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: capttony] #217409
08/11/10 07:53 PM
08/11/10 07:53 PM

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andrewscott
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andrewscott
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Quote
I think the cat forum advertisements are probably better kept boats and were I will concentrate my efforts.


I think craigslist, ebay, local papers are all very good sources... you can find gems or jerks at any source. Don't discount those other places to look..

also if there is a local sailing scene, club, stores or shores.. those are good places to visit... talk with the natives, ask around about cats for sale (or go for test rides) look for postings, etc.

Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: ] #217435
08/12/10 07:36 AM
08/12/10 07:36 AM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,355
Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ...
RickWhite Offline

Carpal Tunnel
RickWhite  Offline

Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,355
Key Largo, FL and Put-in-Bay, ...
Have you looked at our CLassifieds? Just click on "Classifieds" in the masthead on this page.


Rick White
Catsailor Magazine & OnLineMarineStore.com
www.onlinemarinestore.com
Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: RickWhite] #217538
08/13/10 07:00 PM
08/13/10 07:00 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 16
KenReid Offline
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In about the same situation I went with the Hobie 20-bullet proof and not a lot of $$(5K).You can sail it with three, but I do not think single handing is do-able. Parts are easily had as are good lightly used sails. If you have the $$ I would pony up for a F-18(10K).

Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: Luiz] #217573
08/15/10 12:40 AM
08/15/10 12:40 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 757
japan
erice Offline
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erice  Offline
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Posts: 757
japan
weta trimaran could do all but fly on the edge

at 14' the kids will sooner grow into soloing it

and as you get older you'll appreciate it's lower weight

performance a touch down on the 5.2 and H16

but as a mixed family boat user friendliness is a few clicks up

lots of youtube videos to find out if further research is warranted


Last edited by erice; 08/15/10 12:46 AM.

eric e
1982 nacra 5.2 - 2158
2009 weta tri - 294
Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: erice] #217589
08/15/10 11:15 AM
08/15/10 11:15 AM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 699
SE Pa. or Chesapeak Bay
HMurphey Offline
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HMurphey  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 699
SE Pa. or Chesapeak Bay
Capttony,

From the sounds of it you want a boat that will perform but not be too fragile or twitchie/edgy

The P18 is a very durable boat ... but I could always stomp on them w/ my TheMightyHobie18 ... (and I do me "stomp" as the P18 doesn't point very well)

The P18-2 is a great boat .... but is sized for a crew wieght much lighter then you and your wife together ...
(approx 275lbs) .....

The P19 is another great boat ... sized for a crew weight of 325-350lbs and performs very well ... maybe too well for what you are seeking. I have one myself and do enjoy the heck out of it ..... but I also "race" most of the time I'm sailing .....

Most of the boats that will perform well at the crew wieghts you will be sailing at are boats w/ "boards" .... the most "forgiving" durable catamaran that is availible cheap is ..... the H18Magnum.

The TheMightyHobie18 does everything well including launching/landing through surf on exposed beaches ...

You may wish to look at a Mystere5.5, or Nacra5.5 ...

Good luck w/ your reseach
Harry

Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: HMurphey] #217622
08/16/10 10:02 AM
08/16/10 10:02 AM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3
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capttony Offline OP
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capttony  Offline OP
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3
Thanks again for all the great suggestions!

After alot of reading/researching I think I'd like to concentrate on finding a Nacra 5.8, and have placed an ad to try and find one. I loved the way my Nacra 5.2 sailed, and have learned to deal with boards and the beach. I would appreciate a more performance oriented cat.
Thanks for the insights, Harry, I'll also look at the Hobie18s, however the "comp tip" mast concerns me. I'd rather have an all alluminum mast. I'd also perfer clear anodizing versus black aluminum.
The Nacra F18 is very intriguing, and a beauty is currently advertised, however 18 hour round trip is not in the cards. Anyone driving from Chicago to Florida and want to earn a couple hundred bucks? whistle
Thanks again for the warm welcome and suggestions. I will remain patient until the right boat comes along. Hopefully, as it may be close to the end of the season there will be more boats comming available.

Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: erice] #217674
08/16/10 07:02 PM
08/16/10 07:02 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,307
Asuncion, Paraguay
Luiz Offline
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Luiz  Offline
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Asuncion, Paraguay
Originally Posted by erice

weta trimaran could do all but fly on the edge...


Price?


Luiz
Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: Luiz] #217699
08/17/10 04:00 AM
08/17/10 04:00 AM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,383
Kingston SE South Australia
JeffS Offline
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JeffS  Offline
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Posts: 1,383
Kingston SE South Australia
About $15000 Aussie dollars and in my experience the Weta doesn't perform around a race course anything like the cats mentioned.
Nacra 5.8 is a top choice, you could use one of the old small jibs so the kids can pull it on


Jeff Southall
Current boats
Nacra 5.8 1703 Animal Scanning Services
Nacra 5.8 1667 Ram Raider
Nacra 18 Square
Arrow 1576
Re: Shopping for a beach cat after 20 years away! [Re: JeffS] #217811
08/19/10 08:40 AM
08/19/10 08:40 AM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 8
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CatFighter Offline
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This may fit the bill: www.wingzsailboats.com

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