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New member looking for advice, A-Class? #226394
01/07/11 02:31 PM
01/07/11 02:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16
Manitoba, Canada
frozencdn Offline OP
stranger
frozencdn  Offline OP
stranger

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16
Manitoba, Canada
I sail Lake Winnipeg and Pelican Lake in Manitoba Canada. I grew up on Lake Winnipeg sailing a 16 foot Sea Spray. I still have her but just for sentimental reasons. Not much worth repairing.
I am self taught and love the water. I have nearly no fear and am used to gusty unpredictable wind. Nothing like a prairie tornado to stir up a lake in a hurry.
I want the fastest boat I can set up myself. I thought that would be a tiger but had never looked because it wasn’t time. It is now. I want to spend about 10K. I will never race this boat. If I go that way, I will reinvest in a winner.
Can I trailer an F-18 and set it up myself? I am 6 foot 200 pounds but over 40 and don’t want to put out my back to go for a sail. The more boats I learn about the more confused I get. I need to start with; can I get the boat set up and in the water by myself if I need to.
Is a used A-Class out of my range at 10?K in North America? I will travel to bring home the boat I want. There is a used 2007 Geltek for 17K on USACA. This might be the boat I want if I get obsessed but for now I just want fast, fast fast.
Sorry for the run on and thanks in advance for all advice


Rip and tear mend and repair, repeat
-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: frozencdn] #226395
01/07/11 02:35 PM
01/07/11 02:35 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,655
Portland, Maine
T
ThunderMuffin Offline
Carpal Tunnel
ThunderMuffin  Offline
Carpal Tunnel
T

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,655
Portland, Maine
I'd actually go for an F16 - since you aren't going to race but you want speed... the F16 offers the spinnaker option for you and is pretty light.

Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: ThunderMuffin] #226401
01/07/11 03:34 PM
01/07/11 03:34 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,906
Clermont, FL, USA
David Ingram Offline
Carpal Tunnel
David Ingram  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,906
Clermont, FL, USA
Make sure you look at the Hobie 16 too. You'll be 15 minutes from ignition off to getting wet. Plus they are everywhere, and won't break your back.


David Ingram
F18 USA 242
http://www.solarwind.solar

"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda
"Excuses are the tools of the weak and incompetent" - Two sista's I overheard in the hall
"You don't have to be a brain surgeon to be a complete idiot, but it helps"
Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: frozencdn] #226403
01/07/11 03:44 PM
01/07/11 03:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,525
pgp Offline
Carpal Tunnel
pgp  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,525
I've never heard of anyone suffering a broken back sailing an F16. But, under spinnaker it is a handfull for one person.

On the other hand it's lively and quickly rigged under main alone.


Pete Pollard
Blade 702

'When you have a lot of things to do, it's best to get your nap out of the way first.

Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: pgp] #226404
01/07/11 03:53 PM
01/07/11 03:53 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,906
Clermont, FL, USA
David Ingram Offline
Carpal Tunnel
David Ingram  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,906
Clermont, FL, USA
Originally Posted by pgp
I've never heard of anyone suffering a broken back sailing an F16.


Sorry, I should have made myself more clear. I was not making any reference to the F16 I was simply stating that the H16 isn't that heavy.


David Ingram
F18 USA 242
http://www.solarwind.solar

"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda
"Excuses are the tools of the weak and incompetent" - Two sista's I overheard in the hall
"You don't have to be a brain surgeon to be a complete idiot, but it helps"
Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: pgp] #226405
01/07/11 03:55 PM
01/07/11 03:55 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 131
Southern Ontario
fredsmith Offline
member
fredsmith  Offline
member

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 131
Southern Ontario
I think there is a Boyer Mk.IV set up with a spinaker in B.C.
Would save the paper work and duty at the border.

Fred Smith
CAN31 A Class

Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: pgp] #226406
01/07/11 03:56 PM
01/07/11 03:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16
Manitoba, Canada
frozencdn Offline OP
stranger
frozencdn  Offline OP
stranger

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16
Manitoba, Canada
I am used to the dagger boards on the sea spray. Being tight to the wind is important, I like to point. So the Hobie is out of the question, what is the F16 like to point?

I crewed a laze E as a kid, so a spinnaker is definitely a plus. If I have a steady wind I would have no problem. I am really drawn to the 17. Is it too much for one person? Is the 18 out of the question?


Rip and tear mend and repair, repeat
Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: fredsmith] #226407
01/07/11 04:01 PM
01/07/11 04:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16
Manitoba, Canada
frozencdn Offline OP
stranger
frozencdn  Offline OP
stranger

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16
Manitoba, Canada
Originally Posted by fredsmith
I think there is a Boyer Mk.IV set up with a spinaker in B.C.
Would save the paper work and duty at the border.

Fred Smith
CAN31 A Class


BC might be in country but across the mountains is way more of a challenge compared to customs.

But... if it is what I want, I'll do what it takes. Can you PM me the info? I did a search and nothing came up.


Rip and tear mend and repair, repeat
Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: frozencdn] #226408
01/07/11 04:07 PM
01/07/11 04:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16
Manitoba, Canada
frozencdn Offline OP
stranger
frozencdn  Offline OP
stranger

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16
Manitoba, Canada
Just to clarify, the mast is the only challenge to rigging a boat alone for myself. I know there are rigs for that. So as long as I can rite the boat after I capsize... and I will... often. I want to be fast as possible for 10K with a 1 person at 200 pounds in reasonable physical shape.

Again, thanks for all the feedback! All feedback is good information at this point.


Rip and tear mend and repair, repeat
Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: frozencdn] #226410
01/07/11 04:55 PM
01/07/11 04:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,525
pgp Offline
Carpal Tunnel
pgp  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,525
Originally Posted by frozencdn
... what is the F16 like to point?



F16 points well but not nearly so well as the A class. No comparison really. F16 is a little bit difficult to take to weather, the wing mast takes some getting used to and you can find yourself in irons easily. Best vmg is not the highest point of sailing.


Pete Pollard
Blade 702

'When you have a lot of things to do, it's best to get your nap out of the way first.

Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: pgp] #226412
01/07/11 05:25 PM
01/07/11 05:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16
Manitoba, Canada
frozencdn Offline OP
stranger
frozencdn  Offline OP
stranger

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16
Manitoba, Canada
The bate is set! I am truly focused on an A class now! HA HA, you did that on purpose I bet(kidding).

Now to find one and get it home for 10K... probably need to check with the wife too. Seriously, is an A class a good move. Can they be set up for fun and are they reasonably robust?

Stole this from another forum...

2001 - 2004 platforms - Boyer/AHPC Mark IV, AHPC Mark V/Auscat Flyer, Marstrom
2005 - present platforms - Auscat or Gel Tek Flyer, Bimare or Vectorworks XJ, Melvin A2/A3, Marstrom



Rip and tear mend and repair, repeat
Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: frozencdn] #226414
01/07/11 05:33 PM
01/07/11 05:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,525
pgp Offline
Carpal Tunnel
pgp  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,525
Originally Posted by frozencdn
The bate is set! I am truly focused on an A class now! HA HA, you did that on purpose I bet(kidding).

Now to find one and get it home for 10K... probably need to check with the wife too. Seriously, is an A class a good move. Can they be set up for fun and are they reasonably robust?

Stole this from another forum...

2001 - 2004 platforms - Boyer/AHPC Mark IV, AHPC Mark V/Auscat Flyer, Marstrom
2005 - present platforms - Auscat or Gel Tek Flyer, Bimare or Vectorworks XJ, Melvin A2/A3, Marstrom



laugh I'm an F16 guy but the people I know who sail "A"s love 'em.



Pete Pollard
Blade 702

'When you have a lot of things to do, it's best to get your nap out of the way first.

Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: frozencdn] #226415
01/07/11 05:38 PM
01/07/11 05:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,525
pgp Offline
Carpal Tunnel
pgp  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,525
http://www.catsailor.com/Tradewinds2010.html

http://www.usaca.info/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&Itemid=76&extmode=view&extid=77

Just so you know, these two events are next week and almost across the street from each other.

If you're interested in beach cats, now would be a good time to visit the Keys.


Pete Pollard
Blade 702

'When you have a lot of things to do, it's best to get your nap out of the way first.

Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: frozencdn] #226416
01/07/11 05:43 PM
01/07/11 05:43 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 9,582
North-West Europe
Wouter Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Wouter  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 9,582
North-West Europe
Quote

The bate is set! I am truly focused on an A class now!



Choice is pretty simple really.

Want to point upwind => A-cat
Want to be home first on a round trip (fastest allround) => F16

No amount of pointing can undo the speed of the spinnaker on the return legs. Wiping the smile of your face after a good spi run is even harder !

F18's are excellent boat but just not for singlehanded sailors.

Wouter

Last edited by Wouter; 01/07/11 05:44 PM.

Wouter Hijink
Formula 16 NED 243 (one-off; homebuild)
The Netherlands
Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: Wouter] #226418
01/07/11 05:54 PM
01/07/11 05:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16
Manitoba, Canada
frozencdn Offline OP
stranger
frozencdn  Offline OP
stranger

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16
Manitoba, Canada
Thanks again everyone, I have some thinking to do. And allot more research. I can't make it down to the keys but thanks for the invite. I am sure it will be a blast! I was there last Feb, awesome. I will check back for more posts later but I have to go for today.

All the best, Gord


Rip and tear mend and repair, repeat
Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: frozencdn] #226429
01/07/11 10:18 PM
01/07/11 10:18 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 713
WA, ID, MT
davefarmer Offline
old hand
davefarmer  Offline
old hand

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 713
WA, ID, MT
I have an F16 Stealth, and recently parted with a $4000 early 90s Boyer A cat. Both have exceptionally light masts, very easy to step solo. Both are extremely lightweight boats, at the expense of durability. Both are equally easy to right solo. Both are a royal blast to sail solo, I'd have trouble choosing a favorite.
I also have an F18HT which I'll solo up to about 10 to 12 kts of wind, but it's really a 2 person boat. And I use a gin pole to safely raise that carbon mast. I can right it solo with an extended Solo Right, but it can be marginal for me at 160 lbs. Set up time on spinnaker boats is substantially more.

Dave

Last edited by davefarmer; 01/07/11 10:30 PM.
Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: frozencdn] #226431
01/07/11 10:58 PM
01/07/11 10:58 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,310
South Carolina
Jake Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Jake  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12,310
South Carolina
Originally Posted by frozencdn
Thanks again everyone, I have some thinking to do. And allot more research. I can't make it down to the keys but thanks for the invite. I am sure it will be a blast! I was there last Feb, awesome. I will check back for more posts later but I have to go for today.

All the best, Gord


This board is about as impartial as a discussion of the merits of communism delivered by someone standing atop Lenin's Tomb during the annual May Day Parade.

I'm an a-cat sailor and I say A-cat! The guy wants a fast, slick, singlehander. They just don't get any better. When I first got my a-cat I thought I would have to downshift my attitude to live with the downwind legs without a spinnaker. One trip up and down my home lake with a 12knot breeze and I couldn't quit giggling like a grade school girl. The hulls go through the water like razor blades and, dear GOD, the acceleration! You feel every change in the wind. If you only care to single hand and you want speed and finesse. A-cat. Period.

I sail an 11 year old Boyer MKIV I bought for $7k and I have won regattas with some not-so-shabby competition handicap or straight up against newer a's. I've placed top half of the fleet for the last two years in Islamorada (which is probably where my ability is) with the 3rd oldest a-cat in the fleet. It is possible to sail an older a-cat competitively.


Jake Kohl
Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: frozencdn] #226434
01/08/11 12:32 AM
01/08/11 12:32 AM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 917
Issaquah, WA, USA
H17cat Offline
old hand
H17cat  Offline
old hand

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 917
Issaquah, WA, USA
Biased, but you might want to look at the Hobie 17 again. Very rugged, one man boat, and plenty on the market. Lots of upwind speed, and fun out on the rack. Sailed in a
Regatta on Lake Chelan last year with a Seaspray, NACRA 6.0 and two Hobie 18's. Sailing with a main and jib, could beat all on boat for boat. Seaspray won on corrected time.

Caleb Tarleton H-17

Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: Jake] #226439
01/08/11 06:06 AM
01/08/11 06:06 AM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 9,582
North-West Europe
Wouter Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Wouter  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 9,582
North-West Europe

Hey Jake,

Good to see you so content with your "new" toy.

Quote

The hulls go through the water like razor blades and, dear GOD, the acceleration!


Ever tried sailing a lightweight spi-equipped singelhander ?

Wouter


Wouter Hijink
Formula 16 NED 243 (one-off; homebuild)
The Netherlands
Re: New member looking for advice, A-Class? [Re: Wouter] #226441
01/08/11 07:55 AM
01/08/11 07:55 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Karl_Brogger Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Karl_Brogger  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,118
Northfield Mn
Originally Posted by Wouter

Hey Jake,

Good to see you so content with your "new" toy.

Quote

The hulls go through the water like razor blades and, dear GOD, the acceleration!


Ever tried sailing a lightweight spi-equipped singelhander ?

Wouter


Nothing accelerates or de-accelerates like a A-Cat.


I'm boatless.
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