Hi, I am pretty new to cat sailing, though I have previously sailed small monohulls for many years. I was wondering if i could get some advice from some of the experts on this forum. I have been lurking for a while and have learned a lot, and have been entertained even more.

Here is my situtation. The vast majority of my sailing will be single handing. I purchased a Wave and this is my second season sailing it. I really enjoy it in higher winds (15 plus), but it has quickly become a bit "tame" for me in lower winds. I have been sailing the Wave mostly solo, but have also been taking my 9 year old daughter out on it with me, and she has been learning to sail it as well. I don't take her out in the higher winds (my bet is after our first capsize my wife, who is a non-sailor, will put a stop to her sailing with me - but we'll see.) So, it works fine for the two of us in lower winds, for the time being, as my daughter is learning. It is also a blast for me, solo, in the higher winds. But now I am looking to add a second boat that I could single hand in the lighter stuff that will be a bit more excitement in the lower winds - ie, hull flying, etc. I should add that I weigh about 160 pounds, and am not interested in racing. Since the second boat would be just that, I am looking for something used that would not be too expensive, would be faster and more exciting to sail than the Wave in 7-15 mph winds or so, that would work well for single handing, and that i could right myself. I would also prefer a unirig, as that is what I have always sailed as a monohull sailor. So far I havent had too much trouble tacking the Wave's unirig, even in pretty strong winds/ waves. I did at first but all of the helpful suggestions on this forum have made a big difference. I am fortunate in that I could store the boat mast up at my cottage on the beach at Delaware Bay. I would be interested in any suggestions as to what boat or boats might fit the bill for my situation.

On a more specific note, there is a Nacra 5.0 listed for sale that is located pretty close to where I sail. I see that nacra used to make the 5.5 uni. The 5.0 looks like it is a sloop rigged cat. Is it possible/ feasible/ desireable to sail the 5.0 as a uni, or would this be a problem due to boat design or other factors?

Sorry for the long message. Any and all reactions, comments, suggestions etc would be much appreciated.

Many thanks!

Rubin,

You could take a 5.0 (or 5.2 might be a better choice) and make it a uni ... but they just don't come out of the box balanced really well for that. the 5.5 Uni is a great boat and there are several mothballed that would probably sell if you could scratch them up. Other than that, to meet your requirements, I think you should take a look at the Hobie 17. The wing seats could be real inviting to the kids and the wife on occasion. The 17 has some sail longevity issues and isn't terribly buoant to hold a bunch of people. But it will certainly sail well with a couple of smallish adults on board and there are a lot more of them around.

Thanks for the response, Jake. The 5.5 uni and the H17 are both fairly heavy, arent they? Would you foresee any problem righting either of them by one person? Or moving them up and down the beach? I have a dolly but the beach slopes fairly steeply down to the water. Haven't yet had to right the Wave, but, even at 245 lbs, its a bit if a handful getting up the slope after a sail single handed(down is no problem). As I mentioned, I am 160 lbs, and I am in reasonable shape. Have righted my share of small monhulls, but they are much lighter and easier to right, that would be my main concern with the larger (in a relative sense) cats.

Hi Rubin,
try a Prindle 15, its light, its fun in every wind and you can right it on your own.
greetz,
Arend

Arend - thanks for the suggestion. I had come across the P15 in my searches, but have not been able to find any detailed info about it. Is it designed to be and/or can it effectively be sailed uni rig? I assume it is faster/ more responsive than the Wave?

What about the Hobie 14?

Why not an A cat? Second or third hand A cats can be held cheap cant they?

I must admit, the A-cats seem very intriguing, given the very light weight. I have never seen one "in the flesh", though, and was under the impression that they were extremely expensive, and at least a bit less "bulletproof" than some of the other designs. Also wonder whether it could be a bit much for me to handle, given my limited experience with cats? But, if that is not the case and an A-cat is something that would seem to make sense for my situation, then I will explore it further.

I've been sailing small "cruising" sailboats (sailing canoe, kayaks, little boats) for many years before I jumped into "performance catamaran sailing". I tried get as many rides as possible on beach cats, H16, N5.5, rented Waves, etc... Finally, I placed an add on A-cat mailing list. I was looking for old, absolite A-cat. I got my wooden A-cat for $500... Transition from sailing I've done before to new level was flowless. Boat was just right. It didn't seems much heavier than boats I was sailing before. Loads are same. Level of fitness about the same. Speed was unbelievable...
Finally, after few years of racing in the club on portsmouth, I decided that i need faster boat. I got Inter F17. Monster boat. Transition acctually was more painfull now, from one "performance boat" to another. Sure, I was faster across the line. As well as I had more bruses and sore hands. However, after racing my first Statue Of Liberty Race in 2003 on old A-cat I was 29th on corrected time. In 2006, i was 32 corrected on Inter F17... And a lot more tiered.

Repairs on my old $500 wooden boat were simple - get some good plywood and epoxy and spend a day working. Gougeons cracked? Go to nearest welding shop and spend 20 backs...

Should I say that I waited for new parts for F17 for 2 months in the middle of the season?

Last year I kept both boats on a beach. I ended up sailing A-cat more, just becouse it's easier. Not just easier to sail, but easier all around, easier to move on land, easier to right if you flip it, easier to fix it.

Try to find an old wooden A-cat.

Rubin:

At your weight I think a Hobie 17 would be a good boat. With a squaretop and reacher added it really moves. I bought it for $600 before I rebuilt it. With beach wheels you can move it pretty easy. Ashleigh and I have a steep ramp to come up when we race in the Wed nights but the two of us manage it and she is only 12 and 100lbs.

Doug

Maybe an F14;

Try this link then scroll down to "formula 14 cats in Australia"
http://www.thebeachcats.com/videos.html

I'll second Vladimir's thoughts.

Go for a second hand A. There was a carbon A with a Hall mast on sale in Newport for $3k 2 years ago, I dont know what happened to that boat, but its a point of reference. It wasnt minimum weight, but at one time, it Steve Clark's and he raced in the North American or something.

Pro's
-easy to rig
-easy to right after capsize
-easy to move around on the beach/ramp/etc
-fast and fun
-you can fix it yourself and change stuff you dont like, you can experiment and tinker.

Con's
-hard to be competitive in the dedicated A fleets - especially with an older boat
-you'll probably need to fix it yourself
-not as robust as a TheMightyHobie18

Bill

Rubin,

I'll second the second. You've told us you won't race, want something more exciting for lighter winds, that you can right yourself. You'll be hard pressed to find any boat that wont immediately or eventually need some maintenance or repair.

Well, thanks everyone for all of the very helpful input. I have to say, assuming I can find a reasonably priced a-cat, that option really does sound pretty appealing. My biggest concern, though, based on what I have been reading - while I can understand the appeal of the "fix it yourself" and "tinkerer" crowd, that has never been my nature or inclination, and I have zero skills in that regard (though I am somewhat reluctant to admit it on a forum like this, of all places, I'm the kind of guy who has never changed a flat tire, doesn't know how to do a simple oil change, and the phrases "fix it yourself" and "get some plywood and epoxy and spend a day working", though I can understand the attraction to others, strikes more than a bit of fear in my heart - not gonna happen!). Given that, would the advice concerning an old a-cat still apply?

It is no problem, if you befriend the other A-cat sailors. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> They will no doubt give advice, and "tinkering" is not really that difficult once you get into it.
Otherwise, search help on this forum. Advice is free here..

When that is said, all boats need maintenance, fixing, repairs and "tinkering" from time to time. A's are not buildt to be bulletproof, but fast. An old wooden A will surely require some work from time to time (at least painting).

Painting I could handle. Beyond that - guess we'll have to see! Thanks again for all the helpful input.

Theres plenty of room for your daughter on the A dont have to leave her behind its easy to get the A up just buy her a chocolate bar and tell her not to tell mum works for me

Why not make the Wave a more exciting ride? Add a trapeze and a hooter kit. Rick White has been known to pass H16s with his "Super Wave". It qualifies as an F14 as well...

Well, was offline this weekend, just got back from the beach. Had the Wave out in gusts of over 25 - was an absolute blast, though I must say those conditions made me forget about looking for something more exciting, at least for the time being (I'm sure that will change next time I am out there in 7-10)!

As far as Rick's Super Wave, I have seen the info on it, and it looks interesting, but I'd prefer to keep things simpler than that - give me one sail and a flying hull, and I'm a happy guy!

Hi Rubin -

Sounds like we have a bit in common. I have a Prindle 18 that I sailed with crew and solo occasionally on a larger lake. But now sail on a smaller lake on a Nacra 5.0 with my 7 and 9 year old girls - both on the wire for the past year or so.

I love the Nacra 5.0 but would not be soloing in 25 knts as you indicated in your last post. The Nacra 5.0 is basic, light and VERY quick to rig. Jib and main halyard are much simpler/quicker than the P-18. With mast up, I'm sailing in 5 to 10 minutes.

The boomless main (which is also nice - one less thing)has an interesting feature with 5 easy sail settings to power down the rig. Also, know boards. I also like the rudder system. Quick and EZ!

Only thing I am working on is a better righting system. Have not decided between a bag or pole.

Danno

Rubin and Danno:

A Hobie 17 comes live in 20 knots and up. The boat LOVES big air Also a good boat to train girls on. Ashleigh has been sailing with me since she was 7. She is getting stick time this year and I got her a Mystere 4.3.

Doug Snell
Hobie 17 "Stress Free" #007