Look at the attached pic. In the back ground is a cat sitting on a platform. I know in the past there were questions about mooring a cat. I think this would be the best way to do it. No bottom paint to deal with and you can tie it down on the platform so it doesn't move. The platform can have permanant anchors all around so its movement is minimized. Of course you would still have to secure the mast but that can be strapped off to the platform sufficently to hinder movement.
(this is my first attempt at posting a pic, I hope it works!)
Ok, so how do you easily get the cat onto the platform? It seems like if one end of the platform were submerged you could sail the cat directly onto the platform (like a floating ramp).
Cats aren't that heavy, just put some ramps or rollers on one end. Sail up next to the platform and hop off, pull the bows to the ramp/rollers and drag the cat up. If you're in a tidal zone you will have to let the dock move around some. The real reason this platform will move around less is because it's so much heavier than a cat. Hope you've got another method of getting back to shore because it would be an annoying swim after a long tiring day of sailing.
G-Cat 5.7M #583 (sail # currently 100) in Bradenton, FL
Hobie 14T
That's how I keep my cat and my TheMightyHobie18 is not a lightweight at 400 pounds. Everyone here on Bald Eagle lake in MN keeps their boats on these "racks", as we call them. We use 4 dock posts and dock corner hardware and green treated lumber. You have to get one end of your boat up on the rack (about 8" off the water) and then push to slide it on the rest of the way. I use those flexible nylon cutting boards over the front board under the hulls to reduce the friction. I just screwed them to the wood. I don't think anyone on the lake uses rollers but they would certainly make it a little easier.
I can get the boat on and off of this rack by myself. Two is definitely better though. Especially if it is windy or if you are really tired after a hard sail or an extended capsize drill... Water in the hulls obviously makes it even more challenging.
We use screw in anchors to hold the rack down and we use tie-downs to keep the boat on the rack. This is very necessary if you ever get a good wind!
Works great and you can't beat mast-up storage ON the lake!
I'll work on some pix. My boat is off the lake right now getting prepped for this weekend's border battle between MN and WI. Go Gophers! I'll get some photos when I get back on the lake.
Different topic-> The "Broken Rudder" regatta is a blast. It's an annual open cat team event. We're trying to bring the rudder back to MN this year where it belongs. It looks like we'll have about 40 boats this year and we'll run 1 start. Everything from h16s to Inter 20s.
