Help I need to choose a cat!!

I am 101 KG and will promarily sail single handed - intermediate experience (eg can mange to steer with back foot and get not too tangle din kite sheet).

Would also like a platform for pottering with my 9 year old and the odd blast to impress wifey..

I have three options:

- A Nacra 5.2 early 90s vintage all rigged up with kite, current thought is never sailed one, looks good value, don't like boom, not as aesthetically pleasing to me as others.

- A Dart 18 that is late 80s although new hulls in 90, new main 5 races ago, new mast in 90, standing rig etc. No kite rig, but handicapping will mean I am not disadvantaged

- A Hobie 17 with comfort wings - 5 years old, more expensive but looks the best. No boom - good.

Can anyone help me compare....

thanks

H

- A

the H17 has no volume to the hulls, so is a bad choice.
Personally I would go with the Nacra. Lots of volume, spinnaker, and daggers.

Though I am partial to the Dart since it is a very well made boat and has same designer as the Tornado, I have heard they tend to be undersailed, meaning they really like lots of wind to go best. If your location normally gets 10+ kts of wind, the Dart should be fine. It is also the lightest boat on your list of choices. You could always add a spinny or Hooter yourself.

Mike.

I would NOT suggest the Dart unless you sail somewhere where it is 15+ most of the time. It really is under sailed. Not the gretatest design and would not take kite well. The Nacra is by far the best bet.

Sail area
Well Built
Ability to take a kite
Plates

Don't even think about the Hobie 17 if you want to take more than 1.

Thanks for the info - am in W London so will sail most of the time at Queen Mother/Datchett - sometimes Poole. The Nacra is my cheapest option so is looking favourite. When you say no more than 1 on the H17 do you meam incluing helm??

thx

Thanks Dave - Nacra looking favourite

Agreed. The Hobie 17 was designed as a single hander and is optimum at 185-200 pounds. There is enough hull for taking crew, but freeboard is limited and the ride gets wetter, but for single handed sailing... on the wire and on the wings... they are a sweet ride. Very versatile power / wind range.

Your weight at 101KG plus crew will be pushing it.

Eh, I always thought my 17 "pierced" waves better with two people on board heh :P

Oh lord...here we go again.

jake,

You need to see a doctor.

Your funny bone is broken :P

Don't add a spi or hooter to the Dart 18. They tried and the design apparently doesn't like it very much. Reasons I heard pop up here and there. The steerage goes from weatherhelm and leehelm under spi depending on how much the nose if pressed in the water and the back is lifted. Also the less than crisp steerage of the Dart 18 tends to make bearing away in the gusts, under spi, awkward and too slow.

Several sailors have tried and advice against it.

Wouter

Out of the 3 boats listed ; I would advice teh nacra 5.2 for your intended purpose and having a boom is really better.

Wouter

I agree with most things said, but you speak of " handicapping". If you are considering racing then the Dart is the only one with a fleet !

How many darts sail at Datchett ?

I thought it was all Hurricanes and FX1's ?

How many Nacra 5.2s and Hobie 17s sail in the south of England compared to Dart 18s. You do not have to travel very far to find a fleet of Dart 18s if you want to race.

When Condors were the main fleet here, I always fancied a Nacra 5.2, but we never had any here in Ireland.