hey all,
I am interested in getting a cat. but it gets worse...im only 14...which means my budget is small. but here is the criteria (or however you spell it)
1 small enough so that less than 300lbs can right it
2 it needs to be able to sail with 3 people on it
3 under 3k

Seems pretty difficult to find a cat right for me so im askin the people who would know.
And i can get my dad to pick the boat up if its in florida, mississippi, alabama, georgia, tennessee, and northcarolina.

thanx a ton,
scott

Well I think the H16 would be your best bet then again you did post this question on the H16 forum. I sail about 3 days a week with kids and regularly have 3-4 kids on board and have a great time. The H16 has so many advantages one of the first being cost, followed by availability of used cats and parts, a boat that is very responsive when you do things right or wrong (helps with the learning process), easy to rig, is officially the ISAF youth boat until 2006 and most likely will continue to be the youth boat after 2006, etc, etc. I have a daughter that is 11 that sails it with her 8 year old brothers, and/or with her sailing teammate and my daughter love's it. She has actually sailed a lot of different boats but likes her H16 the best. Plus the H16 class is large and there are always people you can sail against. Just email me if you have more questions as I can give you even more info (info@sail-s.com). What ever you decide to sail/buy good luck and welcome to the cat world!

hey scott

Im 17 and i bought my hobie 16 3 years ago which made me the same age as you are now and i used to go one up all the time because i was always bored. If i can sail it one up you can definately sail it easy enough by yourself and friends. Im now working at the sailing school here and we always put a heap of kids on the 16s but there is only one problem. Well if your by yourself you really have to be careful about capsizing with out a righting bag. You can get away with skill in righting the boat but at 14 i don think you would be there just yet.

If you think you will be going out in strong brezes i also dont think the 16 is the best idea but its a great boat and will last you a life time.

Well if you want to know any more just give me a email.

From Julian

I am a 16 sailor, and these are the least expensive boat to get and keep up, but they are a difficult boat to learn to sail. I would also like to put a plug in for a Hobie 18: An 18 is much easier to sail, hard to pitch pole; they point better, and best of all: in my opinion, they are easier to right. The draw back to an 18 is the mast is heavier, and it takes more time to rig an 18.

Both are great boats!

David

Hobie 14 all the way!

Go a 16 you can right it and you will learn a hell of a lot more on one. Plus the 16 is the most popular boat in the world. Also their a youth boat!!