You mentioned Fboats earlier. The main problem with sailing an Fboat is the lack of available/reliable crew members. If you really plan on getting one you need to sail on several to determine which one you like. For me it was the F25c for a friend it was the F28R. If you make yourself available you could probably crew on some Fboat at least once a week. You might try the nationals web site for crew positions available. My first sail on a F31 was at the 2001 nationals. There were 67 Fboats that year. Try the link below... Theres usally a free ride somewhere at these events.

As far as bad knees; steering or sail triming would be the best for your wife. Also wives are welcome crew members as well especially if they can cook

fair winds,
thom



2001 Nationals

Let me hop in on this thread really quick. I am in a similar situation, in that I have a 5.5 I can not find a consistant crew, and when I go singlehanded, it seems as though it's blowing like stink. I can sail uni, but seeing as though the 5.5sl has some disadvantages sailing uni (shorter mast, less main, etc..), I'm looking to either go A cat, or 18sq. Don't think I have the cash outlay for A cat (arn't they 7k+?), but 18 sq I might be able to manage. Where to look for a used one is my question....

Weren't you going to get shang-hyed up north, Theo? If you're still around, we expect you at Tradewinds! :-)

Tad,

My RV trailer hitch is going to Key Largo empty since I'm crewing on David's I20....bait bait...

I'd probably bite if it weren't for the piss-poor condition of my sail and the fact that she's taking on water at an alarming rate

how bout wings on your p19, thats a rocket and not many could keep up if you dropped 140# and trapped out on the bar. also she will be much more comfortable daysailing with a bench seat/backrest.

[quote]You mentioned Fboats earlier. The main problem with sailing an Fboat is the lack of available/reliable crew members. If you really plan on getting one you need to sail on several to determine which one you like. "


That is not necessarily true Thom. I can single hand a F31R aft cabin in most conditions, but don't race it singlehanded unless it is a doublehanded race. I also don't fly the spinaker singlehanded. A good friend of mine puts on around 1500 miles a year on a nearby lake with his F24, mostly singlehanding. The 24 is an awsome boat as it is small enough that one rarely,if ever needs a winch. I can't comment on the 28, but I had a 27 and could singlehand that. As for our 31 I step the mast singlehanded very often. Its not a big deal, well its a big mast but very managable. That all said I would think you would be most happy with a F18ht or similar. Basically an A-class for two! You can singlehand it most times,and take crew with as well. Go with your instincts though.
We will be in Pensacola for the Corsair nationals, swing by and take a look if you want, catch us on a non-race day and you might be able to tag along.

Yup, Northboud at sometime I am. Trouble is, the FAA calls whenever they feel like it. I figure I might as well have as much fun as I can NOW, instead of planning my life for something that might be a year away. Besides, I don't think I'v eever done anything "practical" anyway...why start now!

Jake....If you hitch is going to be empty....and you come down I95, I'd certinly want to hook my boat up to your rig and go, if it's possible?!? That would work perfect, as my "tow vehicle" is needing a transmission right now.

O.K..........
Thanks to one and all for your valuable input on my question. As you will notice, many of your suggestions played a part in my decision. This is the reason I love this forum so much. Catsailors helping catsailors.

After much thought on this matter, I have made my decision on a few factors. 1. I have this thing about buying anything "used". Given the fact that it won't be very long before we will most likely purchase an F tri, it wouldn't make a "whole lot of sense" to spend $10,000 + on a new cat.
2. Given our crew weight, it seems that the "perfect" cat for our needs does not exist. I would always be faced with less than ideal situations. 3. Since my racing is confined to our local distance races, I can't honestly say that racing is "first and foremost" the type of sailing I do. 4. I liked Carl's comment on bringing someone into sailing by seeking racing crew. It should be fun and I will be doing my small part to help grow the sport.

Last, but not least. We really do like that P19MX. It is enought of a boat that we can have a blast sailing together on, and in the majority of our winds I can single-hand it quite comfortably. So, I leave everything "as is", with the exception of finding someone that would like to race in long distance events. He (or she) should be very strong and agile...AND weight around 85 pounds. LOL

Thanks to everyone again,
Dave

There 'ya go! Good luck Dave, I hope you can find someone. I haven't tried it but you might want to make a flyer to post in the local bike/outdoor sports shop. Hook someone that is into extreme stuff but may not have been exposed to catamarans yet.

O.K., I think I have come up with something that I can live with for a while. Someone correct me (I am sure you will) if I mis-calculated the "numbers".

My P19 MX is rated at 64.0. If I remove my "big jib" (code UL) large jib sailing uni (1.076 adjustment); take the hit for flying a spinnaker (code SP) (.960 adjustment); take my under weight penalty (code L3) ( .974 adjustment)....
64.0 X 1.076 X .960 X .974 = 64.39

The Prindle sails quite well under main alone and I get to fly the spinnaker (while taking the under weight hit) at a better number than I had sailing the MX rig with min. crew weight. Now, before I buy a spinnaker and snuffer system from Robbie, can anyone find a flaw in my madness?

As always, I value all input.

Thanks,
Dave

I think you are on the right track. However I would use the old pinhead sail and get back to the original configuration with a 66.4 number. Most of the difference in the MX version is in the jib anyway. Also wouldn't you take the L4 hit of .97?

So here is what I have for you.
66.4*1.076(UL)*.97(L4)*.96(SP)=66.53

66.53 would be a little easier to sail to than 64.39

Mike Hill
H20 #907

Hi Mike,
Thanks for taking the time to respond. Well, I did look at going back to the pin head. The problem is that if I do, I have to use the "configuration" that entitles the number of 66.4. That in mind, I would have to use Code US (which is a class normally carrying a "small jib" which is a modification factor of 1.026 as opposed to using the MX package and dumping the "big jib" and using the multipier of 1.076.

Calculation of pin head configuration would be (66.4 X 1.026 X .960 X .974 = 63.70) It appears that it is to my advantage to calculate using the MX configuration. The benefit is in the 1.076 multiplier for dumping the MX jib.
Make sense?

Also, I would race at Code L3 as I weight 215 and my min. crew weight is 295. That works out to 72.88% of min. crew weight.

Nice talking with you.
Dave

Dave right you are.

I was thinking the small was a jib sheeted off the front crossbeam (wrong). Small jib is just a normal jib and large jib is tacked low with a foil or extention.

Anyway it looks like a .5 hit for the MX main which seems like it would be worth it.

So in other words it looks like you had it right the first time.

Mike Hill
H20 #907

P19MX- Check your PMs