Dear all - i sail a Thai Mark IV catamaran (i think), it is very similar to the Shark (same constructor)...id be most greatful for any information regarding the Thai (should be built in the late 60's i think, fiberglass hull and wooden deck, about 18')

Regards from Sweden
Kenneth

I don't know much about it except that it is the Shark's little sister, also designed by Rodney MacAlpine-Downey (England). He brought a Shark and a Thai to the United States in about 1961 and toured a bunch of yacht clubs in the Eastern United States to take people out for rides and promote the boats. The tour was a great success and several fleets of Sharks sprang up right away. All the monohull sailors converting to the cats wanted the bigger, more substantial boat. Personally, I rode on the Thai when the boats visited our yacht club, and I loved it (16 feet long, I think?) But our family got the Shark.

Very few Thais must have been sold in the U.S., because it has been over 40 years since I rode on that demo, and I have never seen one since (and it's not like Rick and I haven't been around the block, and the country, a few times).

It's too bad they don't still make them, now that smaller cats have become popular again. I would love to have one. Of course, I also would love to have another Dingo, and I also would love to have a Hobie 14. Why are all the boats I love no longer being built?

As I said, I'm pretty sure the Thai was 16 feet. The Phoenix was supposed to be the high-performance model, with trampoline (instead of wood bridge deck) and skinnier hulls, and it was 18 feet long.

It is very similar to the Shark for sure - but it originally had trampoline...i must go down to the lake and measure the length. I never did that, especially not in feets - it is 5 something metres.

Thanks for your input!
Kenneth

phoenix - 18' fiberglass shark. Let me know if you need close ups. My boat is 98% original and in very good working order.

Anyone want to start a cat museum? I hate to let this boat sit in my driveway (as it has for 5 years)

I will measure my cat next weekend when going to the countryside - anyone knows if there is any material on Phoenix (or Thai's for that matter) on the net?

To Pitchpoledave: By the way, what are you sailing today? Is there a big difference in performance from the Phoenix? E.g. should i invest in a newer cat?

I don't know of any material on the net about the Phoenix.

Its a good design, but it doesn't go to windward very well at all. It has aluminum centreboards and they are too thin to create any lift. Other than that its an easy boat to sail. Impossible to pitchpole.

I highly recommend getting a newer boat if you are not interested in the historical aspects of boating. TheMightyHobie18, P18-2, Nacra 5.5 etc. You will have much more fun. Currently I sail a Nacra 6.0na, and there is no comparison.

Me and my wallet was afraid you were going to say that!
Thank you very much for your input - highly appreciated!

Kenneth

Finally measured - it's 5.37 metres, should make 17,6 something feets. Closer to a Phoenix than a Thai - the only thing still troubeling me is that it bears the sail-mark of a Thai. Sailmarks