I planning the immediate purchase of a "beach" cat - decided against the high tech carbon rigs - and came across a cat made by CFI called the Isotope. In reviewing their web site, it looks like quite an innovative cat that's one design and been around since the late 60's. I'd never heard of it before and I'm finding very little info about it on the net, other than CFI's web site.
Anyone have experience with this cat that can contrast it to the Hobie 16 or the Nacra 500 for me?
Whereabouts are you located? There is an active Isotope fleet in the Raleigh NC area. If you are somewhere nearby and would like a firsthand look or a ride, drop me a line.
The Isotope actually predates the Hobie 16, but it is significantly faster - about the speed of a Hobie 17 or 18. It's also easier to sail, having symmetric hulls, centerboards, and a balanced rig that give it a nearly neutral helm. The Isotope is lighter, and can be rigged, sailed, and righted solo. It's one of the few cats that can sail inside 45 degrees to the true wind, and it moves in very little wind. I can fly a hull in a 5kt breeze.
It's a fun boat, but more of a performance cat than a beach cat. The Hobie 16 is built like a tank, and you can sail it up onto the sand without much damage. The Hobie is also easier to control in heavy air or big waves.
I'm quite a way from NC - we are in Naples, FL and will be sailing in the Gulf.
Thanks for the video!
I have the impression from your first post that the Isotope hulls are not as "beach proof" as the Hobie - correct?
Like the idea that the Isotope is faster and from looking at its features on the CFI web sit, seems to be a far better thought out rig - even down to sealed air canisters in the hulls to prevent the cat from sinking should there be hull damage! Cleaver.
As 95% of my sailing will be solo from the beach here in Naples, the comments you made about its features being positive for solo sailing are very encouraging. I've had Hobie 14, 16 and 18 with the 16 being my favorite BUT a heavy cat to haul up and down the beach, even on cattrax.
If you're looking to keep a cat on the beach, then (much as I like them) I wouldn't recommend an Isotope. It is simply not made to take that level of battering and abuse. For example, the decks (and hatches) forward and aft of the crossbeams are not load-bearing. When someone stands on them (and if you store on the sand, somebody will), they will break.
Likewise, the Isotope was not designed for heavy chop. Its cantilevered bows give it lots of forward bouyancy. That greatly helps to avoid pitchpoling, but it also gives the boat a tendency to hobby-horse.
The Isotope does have several nice design features - an advantage of having been somewhat of a development class. Those include the flotation bags (even with both hulls full of water, she still floats), furling jib, righting bar, and the freedom to rig the controls however you like. I haven't seen any other cat with a "compression bar". It allows one to rig the jib lower (a more efficient sailplan) without having to put a lot of extra fiberglass in the bows. All-up, the Isotope weights about 280 pounds.
Eric, Thanks for the honest appraisal of the Isotope. As I plan to use the Naples "Boat on Beach Permit" and I plan to sail in all conditions - love rough seas and high winds - then you advise has kept me from making a big mistake.
Looks like it's either another Hobie 16 or a Nacra 500 Race if I can find a current one at a fair price.
