I have heard there is a good location near Sarasota or Nokomis in Florida that sells reconditioned Stilletos and may be run by an owner with the last name Nichol. Has any one heard of this merchant or dealt with him? Any other locations dealing with Stilletos anywhere in the US would be welcome. Thanks!! Drifter [color:"black"] [/color]

I,ve heard all positive things about them over the years and sailed a S 23 extensively in the 80s . The cats are no longer built but there is a good owners web site and it seems a number of them for sale -link below>.

p s -there is also a S 27 for sale in the classified section here on Catsailor

1987 27' Stiletto -- stored inside, for sale. $15,000.00, includes trailer and sails. Phone: 585-319-7876 email: msterli1@frontiernet.net (newyork)(Jan)

http://stiletto.wildjibe.com/

http://stiletto.wildjibe.com/cgi-bi...ale/&database=forsale/forsale-db.txt

good luck
Carl

If Texas is close to home, here's a 23
web page

Be aware that the S23 is much heavier (per surface area) than the S27 since the S23 does not have the super-light Nomex construction.

GARY

I bought a new Stiletto 23 from Force Engineering located in Sarasota, FL back in 1984. This was a great boat and I had a lot of fun sailing it. Too bad they didn't continue making them. The people that owned Force Engineering had the last name Nichols, and as far as I know still sell reconditioned boats around the same location. I have seen their advertisement regularly in the classified section of Multihulls Magazine.

Stiletto 23', 27', 27'GT, 30'. Fast and Fun! All models available, many to choose from. Factory refurbishing, modifications, and parts available. www.Stilettocatamarans.com, e-mail: ron@stilettocatamarans.com or (941) 484-0479. FL

Here is a link for an owners site. http://stiletto.wildjibe.com/

Hope this helps in your search.

I think you are talking about Ron Nicol.

There is an extremely fine S30 for sale in League City TX (near Houston). Owner passed away suddenly. Go to www.texascitydike.com and post a request to Tommy or Suzy Granger, who are handling the sale of the boat.

From experience I can tell you this boat is quite fine, very fast and nicely outfitted. Her name is RAMPAGE.

sea ya
tami

correction--all S cats were built with kevlar nomex construction {inc the 23} which was very leading edge at the time .

The builders came out of the aero-space industry and used the techniques developed and in use there.

The 23 ft version as pictured here

http://www.peconic.net/members/worwetz/hobie3.htm

is great fun to sail ,14 ft beam and extra height is really something when you are flying a hull and you can take as many as 6 out and introduce them to high speed cat sailing at a time .

23 modifications of all types have been extensive --ideas are found on the S web site.

The 30 Tami noted was the last to be designed and built and perhaps the best of them if you are looking for high speed sailing.

Of course Bill Roberts and son just won again on their Arc 22 design {per cover story} .

I've dealt with Ron at Stiletto. I have had nothing but good dealings (I have a Stiletto 27). Most that have dealt with him find him OK, some not. Granted they are the ones for good information and parts though. Do check out the Stiletto website (someone posted a link). You can do a search on any topic and you'll get good information. If not just ask the question, someone will post a reply. Just like this forum, there are lots of experts/knowledgable sailors that frequent there. Where are you located, maybe we can hook you up with someone closeby.


Good luck,
Clayton

Carl,

Thank you for correcting me on the build materials. I was under the impression that the 23 was a design done by a subsequent ownership. I also was under the impression that it must not be a nomex boat and I based my assumption on the weight of the boat.

If my memory serves me correctly, I read that a Stiletto 27 with its hard deck was 1200 pounds and that the Stiletto 23 with its trampoline deck was around 800 pounds. I am guilty of racing to an assumption.

GARY

The published weight for the Championship edition is 1200#. I think you would be hard pressed to find one that light. I have a Special Edition (cruising model) which is listed at 1570# (OK you ACat guys don't have a stroke I can carry your boat on my front trampoline!). I think I'm a little heavier than that even. Of course I'm loaded with a few creature comforts... anybody need a drink?

I think like most, the published weights are optimum (target)weight and pretty tough to acheive.

But, on the other hand I understand the Stiletto 23 is a hand full when the wind kicks up and a blast to sail.

Clayton

The S23 does have nomex hulls. They are fine boats with lots of potential for weight savings (such as replacing the stout aluminum cross beams and mast with carbon items and putting the rudder system on a diet). I've sailed one on Lake Travis an they are a blast - basically an oversized beach cat with great freeboard.

Chris.

Clayton and Hobie Gary:

Glad to see you guys still kicking around.

As a knock-around-goof-off-cat sailor, I picked up a Stiletto 27 a while back, on a trip to Loreto, Mexico.

What a good boat..! Great sailing on Mexico's Sea of Cortez, on costal saling in California, trips to Catalina or just knocking around on Bear Lake, Idaho.

It goes fast, (compared to a beach cat) has tons of room inside and on top, is a fairly dry ride, and since it can easily carry a porta-potti, my wife likes it just fine.

It sets up and breaks down fairly easily and trailers easily behind my 6 cyl Jeep Grand.

It has been a nice addition, next to the family's Nacra, Supercat and Freestyle.

As I've sailed it and lots of other cats, I find I like sailing the cat I'm on. (Does that make me sound easy or an "anyboady's"...?)

Sail fast and sail often..!

Tom

Hi Tom,

Yep, still here. The Stiletto is still on the trailer though since the hurricanes (2 this year). I have one of the 2 that survived in this area as it was not in its slip at the club. 4 others were trashed, only one of which can be repaired. I look forward to your stories of the trips to Baja with your Stiletto. I tried to make a trip to Fla to cruise the Santa Rosa Sound area and circle Santa Rosa Island but the storms chased me back. Maybe next time.

Clayton