Greetings,

I have been looking for a SC17 in good condition for several months and have not found one in my area (Georgia and Southeast). Since there are a few newer P18-2 and N5.5SL for sale on websites, which cat do you recommend for a family to sail on mostly lakes in the Southeast and why? Which one is the easiest to re-right and to provide parts and maintenance? Thank you in advance for your advise.

Steve

Either is good. The P19 would have been a better choice for the family angle

There are more 5.5sl around than P18-2

sea ya
tami

They are both good boats. I owned the P18-2 as my first cat. The main difference is the kickup centerboard on the 18-2 vs. daggerboards on the 5.5. The 18-2 can handle extra weight a little easier than the 5.5. I like the rudder system on the 5.5 a little better.

If I were you I would pick the boat that is in the best condition. Little items really add up when you buy a used boat. Make sure all the parts are there to sail it. No missing sails or booms or rudders.... If it's missing one item it's going to be a no sale because it's so expensive to replace items.

Keep One Hull Flying,
Mike Hill

Steve,

I have a Nacra 5.5SL. In short, I think its a great boat. I do take my family on it (wife, kids 8 & 4) but would not consider it to be a family boat. It was designed as a racer so has quite a bit of complexity. That said you can ignore most of the finer settings and it will work just fine. The wire across the tramp will get in the way. I removed mine - details at nacramania.com. The boards could be an issue if the lakes are shallow or rocky. But it is boomless which is good with a lot on board. Most parts are pretty standard and available at murrays.com (or the catsailor.com store!). The manufacture (performancecat.com) has big ticket items if needed as I think it's still in (limited) production. Re-righting is pretty normal and will take 2 persons without some other aid such as a righting poll. I can't compare it to the Prindle 18-2 but from what I have heard and seen, the Prindles were OK boats.