I'm really considered new to cat sailing. I have rented cats at the beach....but I just recently bought my own. I bought a Trac 16 so I would like all of you to take that into consideration.
<br>
<br>Now the question. I would like to buy one of the books that are currently listed on this site. I already have Phil Bermans book. I plan to buy all of the books...but which do you suggest I buy next?
<br>
<br>Catamaran Racing for the 90's
<br>or
<br>Sailing Drills
<br>or
<br>The catamaran tuning guide
<br>
<br>Remember I plan to buy all of them.....opinions of which one to buy next would be appreciated.....since funds are limited.
<br>
<br>James Long<br><br>

James,
<br>
<br>Catamaran Racing for the 90's is obviously an awesome book. I would suggest buying two things to start with, get a copy of the aforementioned book, and then pick up a copy of Total Boat Handling. Total Boat Handling leaves no doubt as to how you should look when you're doing the various manuevers on your catamaran. Don't worry that we don't show a Trac 16 either, it's all basically the same or very similar from boat to boat. Or at least similar enough to get you started.
<br>
<br>Rick and I had a great time putting these videos together. Currenty he has three videos on the site, and in the next day or two will have two more for a total of 5 available! We show great on board footage with our exclusive "tiller cam"! Obviously I'm going to be biased, but for a video that shows you how to handle your boat, I think ours is head and shoulders above the others that are out there.
<br>
<br>If you are looking for instruction on how to put your boat together, ours is not the video! For that, you may want to shop around for some of the other videos that Hobie Cat and Murrays have available.
<br>
<br>Anyway, ALL of Rick's books are great, along with the Berman book you mentioned, just get some good resources, and get out there and sail!
<br>
<br>Fair winds,
<br>
<br>Tim Johnson
<br>Executive Producer, Rick White's Video Sailing Seminars<br><br>Hobie 20 #541
<br>Bald Eagle Yacht Club, Fleet 52
<br>White Bear Lake, MN

Tim,
<br>I appreciate the reply.......I know no book or video will school me on my specific cat. It is sort of rare. But I have enough people around me that own one.....so that isn't a problem.
<br>
<br>Thanks for the advice,
<br>
<br>James Long<br><br>

Without question, I would recommend "Catamaran Racing For The 90's" as the next in line to read. Don't let the title deceive you. It's not just about racing. The book provides very comprehensive coverage of the things you'll need to know to sail your cat well. If you're like me, it won't be just a single read, but will become something you refer back to often as you're gaining time on your boat.
<br>
<br>"Sailing Drills" gives you a concise list of learning objectives related to the various aspects of sailing and racing, followed by a number of drills that will help reinforce those objectives. It's a good companion book to the former.
<br>
<br>I haven't yet purchased a copy of the Catamaran Tuning Guide. My feeling about tuning is that it will come next in the progression, once you've got the basics down and feel like tweaking the boat. (Others opinions encouraged.)
<br>
<br>Cheers<br><br> Kevin Rose
<br>N6.0na #215
<br>kevin@paddleways.com
<br>

I had heard the book wasn't just about racing alone. I really needed some one who had read ( or knew a great deal about) the books to sort of steer me to the next relevant book to purchase.
<br>
<br>I appreciate the insight.
<br>
<br>James Long <br><br>

I bought Cat Racing etc and The Tuning Guide, and read them back to back - - I enjoyed both immensely, and learned heaps of stuff - -
<br>Since Rick and Mary Edited Michael's book, they agree on nearly everything. The tuning guide, mostly, seems to me like a jumbo expanded version of the tuning chapter(s) in Cat Racing, with some boat handling stuff in there too, to show how tuning affects handling.
<br>My advice: Buy both, at the same time, then treat the Guide like bonus chapters to Cat Racing; It's a smsaller book, but packed with "gear-head" data, and the author gives multiple points of view on some of the more 'discussion prone' areas of rig theory.
<br>
<br>Ed Norris<br><br>

Ed,
<br> Thanks for the info on the books.....I see there are many people who agree the books mentioned above are bundles of great information. I think I will work on getting Cat Racing first....then get the Tuning guide. I'm not on the water yet.....so my skills will not improve until I get my cat fixed.
<br>
<br>Thanks for you opinion,
<br>
<br>James Long<br><br>

Can't believe how awesome this series of videos are. I already had the first three, and now these last two are great! Think I will make a habit of watching them before each regatta I go to. Maybe I can get my Supercat to be super after all.
<br>E.A.Poe<br><br>

Glad to hear you like the video series!!! We love to hear that someone thinks they're useful.
<br>
<br>I benefited a lot from making them, and I think ALL cat sailors who watch it will benefit. You can read the books cover to cover, then you can watch the video, and actually SEE what Rick means when he talks about weight distribution when doing a roll tack, or sailing downwind, or whatever!
<br>
<br>These videos should be on everyone's shelf! Get yours today!!!
<br>
<br>Fair winds,
<br>
<br>Tim Johnson
<br>Executive Producer, Rick White's Video Sailing Seminars<br><br>Hobie 20 #541
<br>Bald Eagle Yacht Club, Fleet 52
<br>White Bear Lake, MN

My girlfriend and I raced for the first time this past weekend at the Mac Attack Regatta on Lake McConaughy. Prior to the race, I studied Catamaran Racing for the 90's and both of us watched the first three videos. Well, we came in third in our class! We're thrilled, to say the least, and can't wait to race again next season!
<br>
<br>Bob B.<br><br>

Bob,
<br>
<br>I can't tell you how much I love hearing that people like you are benefiting from the videos. It's great to hear that studying the books and watching the videos is putting you in the winner's circle!
<br>
<br>Way to go!!!
<br>
<br>Fair winds,
<br>
<br>Tim Johnson<br><br>Hobie 20 #541
<br>Bald Eagle Yacht Club, Fleet 52
<br>White Bear Lake, MN

I carried my "Catamaran Racing for the 90's" with me everywhere. That is, until I left it in a hotel room in florida where the HouseKEEPING STAFF WON'T CALL ME BACK!!!!". AaAAArrggghh.....NC championships coming up and I don't have my Boook!!!!! geeeze....
<br><br><br>[color:blue][b]Jake
<br>[color:blue][b]Nacra 5.2 (2112)
<br>[color:blue][b]Hobie 18 (???)

Jake,
<br>
<br>Why don't you just order a new book, then when you find the old one, advertise it!
<br>
<br>But don't call it the old book, or the used book, call it the book with experience!
<br>
<br>Fair winds,
<br>
<br>Tim Johnson
<br>
<br>P.S. In the words of Slick Willy, "I feel your pain."<br><br>Hobie 20 #541
<br>Bald Eagle Yacht Club, Fleet 52
<br>White Bear Lake, MN