hi, im new to this forum and im having some trouble deciding between these two models (FX-one, Inter 17)
Im looking for a single handler and thats why i chose these ...
however i cant seem to decide which to get.

budget isnt an issue and neither is transportation because i live right by the ocean. Waves arent much of a problem either.

any suggestions? id really appreciate it

You could also take the F16HP boats in consideration, especially the Blade or perhaps the Taipan. Also better for your back.

This is the taipan.
If you leave the jib at home those boats are excellent for solo sailing. See also the F16HP forum.

And don't forget the the A-cat

I would choose the Nacra F17. I sailed the I-17R for 5 seasons and loved the boat. Sold mine last season and bought the A2 before I knew about the F17 changes, but still like my A2. I talked to two people who sailed both the I-17R and the FX-One. They both said the I-17 was the better choice.

You are talking about 2 quite heavy cats which may be difficult to right. If you want the lightness of an A Class (almost) with a spinnaker, check out the Spitfire's small relation, the Shadow at: www.swell-catamarans.co.uk
In a Club race last Sunday it beat a Tiger and a Hawk around the course (as well as the usual Dart 18s and 16s)- without using its spinnaker.
Dermot.

In your position I'd definitely go F16 unarigged.

It's light, it's fast and you've always got the option of going two-up with a friend!

The problem with both boats is they 1 person boats that are difficult to rig, launch, and right by 1 person. They are heavy and have heavy masts. My experience in this type is the 5.5 uni.

The other boats mentioned Blade, Shadow, and Taipan can be righted by a woman with a carbon mast. It will be real tricky with an aluminium mast if you weight less than 180 Lbs. You will need a main cut as a Uni and cut for your weight to sail alone.

I looked at all of these points and bought a A-Class. If you want a spin, look at the Marstrom M18.

I have a Marstrom. The only complaint I have is there is no easy way to raise the mast alone because of the mast base. When I get some time I will build an adapter to let me raise the mast alone.

another pro F16 post

Seriously the best of both worlds. Light, fast, and can handle two persons like nothing.

thanx guys ur advice has really helped me out. Though i must admit i am a bit disappointed because i kind of had my heart set out on the FX-one

what kind of fleets are in your area?

are there any other sailors out there with boats like the ones you have your eyes on? Sometimes the decision needs to be made after a test-sail. Having another boat around to trade tuning and rigging tips with also helps out a ton.

I wouldn't worry TOO much about righting any 17' cat solo. There are plenty of righting systems out there that can be used to help you right the boat. Righting poles, water bags, solo-rights... do some searches on the site and find out more about the different options available.

I can see the attraction of the FX-1 but we've got two of them locally. One guy is a really good sailor but still can't find a winning method for his boat and is becoming increasingly frustrated. The other guy is relatively inexperienced and gossip has it that he wishes he'd bought a two-handed boat .

Neither FX-1 has therefore figured particularly well in any club or all-in races. In fact in last years open distance race they were fighting it out with a Prindle 15 at the back of the fleet while an 'A', the Spitfires, a Shadow and 5.9s were doing a 'horizon job'.

In this company I decided to get a Stealth F16 which gives me the best of all worlds, - solo when I want and two up if my wife or eldest son want to go out. The boat rates the same either way. Last time out solo I was pointing as high as the RS400 and ISO dinghies (much to their disgust) and travelling A LOT faster . On the downwind loop I just blew them all away!

The boat is incredibly light (109Kg) and has a carbon mast as standard, so capsizes for this 66Kg helmsman hold no terrors....

Inter 17 is better boat, IMO

But don't worry about righting.

See pic of my boat, an 18 Square (11-foot beam). Get a righting pole (Rick sells or you can fabricate your own) and you should have little to no problem righting. And you can rig a gin pole or get help to raise the mast.

sea ya
tami

Yep I'm in the Formula 16 camp as well.



However I've sailed on and against several of the boats mentioned and I think the choice that will best suit you will dependent on what YOU value in a boat.

If you are not looking for a spinnaker package on your boat, but are looking for a big international racing cirquit than the A-cat is the best choice.

If you are looking for a spinnaker experience and switching between singlehanded and doublehanded sailing OR if you want to race Formula 18 cats first in wins than you really only have one option : Formula 16 cats = Taipan 4.9 + spi, Stealth F16, Blade F16 or Taipan F16.

If you are looking for a strick one-design class and on site dealor support than your best option is Hobie FX-one. This class is rumoured to be wining over the Inter-17 here in Europe. However the Inter-17R (is stronger in the USA). Also I don't see much class racing in both of these overhere. 1 to 3 boat max.

If you are looking for strickt one-design racing and mostly doublehanding (which you said you are not) than the Spitfire is your preferred option.

So it all comes down to what you want, how your local situation looks like and what other boats are sailing at your club.

Personally I'd narrow down my search to lightweight boats and formula boats. I think one-design is a thing of the past. Eventually we all want to tinker with our boats and customize it to personal preference. This is of course impossible in strict One-design classes. Also the F18 class will dominate the catamaran sailing in the next decade and so a boat that is up to racing against these may well be a wise decision. This means it must be an open rules class and spinnaker equipped boat. Otherwise you will be left behind as One-design classes can not make use of new developments.

I singlehand my boat halve the time and race doublehanded against the F18's at my club and in bigger regatta's. I feel quite adequate and in control. I felt more nimble than on the other named alternatives. With the mostly exception of the A-cat.

Before I get flamed by my usual distractors. I liked the FX-one as a boat although I really do like my F16 better and often in no small terms. 110 kg instead of 145 kg; + 5 % better performance, 2500 Euro's cheaper in purchase, need I support my opinion more ? I never sailed the Inter-17. I respect the A-cats although they are truly slower around the course than a properly sailed F16 in anything above 5 knots of wind, sorry guys but that is just the truth. The spinnaker is a killer, not to mention the extra width when it is blowing dogs off chains. With respect to singlehandeing I do not have much regard for the others. There are all nice boats but they will not cut it into the future.

So if anything I would advice to narrow down the search to A-cat, FX-one and Formula 16 with the last being really my personal favorite.

Ohh, with respect to the Taipan alu masts. I righted my Typhoon F16 (home-build modified Taipan 4.9 with spi) singlehanded in 4 knots of wind and fully rigged as a F16 doublehander. I weight 85 kg in my shorts.It felt like it could be done with even less weight. I tried rigting several of the others and failed. (BTW; Blade F16 and Stealth F16 should be just as easy to right or easier than my homebuild Typhoon).

For all you guys that have trouble rigting the F16's; you are doing something wrong. Have you slacked the downhaul fully. When it is fully tensioned than it does become much harder to right. Same with keeping the traveller centred. But really this is just basic stuff that one has remember on any cat before rigting, except with the A-cats. Afterall there are only two cats that have a lighter mast. A-cats and the shadow.

I hope this helps.

Wouter

Sarah,
What is your sailing experience, and what are the average winds in your area?

Do you plan to race, or are you going to be sailing around out there all by yourself on the open sea?

How much do you weigh?

All these things are factors in what boat might work best for you.

thanx for the replys guys .. this is really making a huge influence on my decision

as for ur questions mary (thanx for the help btw) ...

What is your sailing experience?

well ive had some experience with cats before but i still have a lot to learn, but i plan on learning fast. Besides we have lots of trainers here that can help me if i need some assistance.

and what are the average winds in your area?
around 10 mph but it easily gets up to 20 mph though

Do you plan to race, or are you going to be sailing around out there all by yourself on the open sea?
well a little bit of both actually (but speed is a big preferance)

How much do you weigh?
a bit less than 70 kg i dont know much that is in pounds though :S

Well, if there is racing going on in your area, what kinds of boats are people racing?

Don't forget to let us know what you decide.......

Jalani: will do

Mary: you name it .. hehe we have all kinds of races over here .. but mostly with hobies

Yeah, but what kinds of Hobies? There are lots of kinds.