Any one know about Plans/Designs that can be purchased for F14 Stitch-N-Glue or composite over foam and stringers might be ok on a small boat like this too. Preferably a modern design.
I was just looking as i want to build something small light and fun to race + solo for regular recreation. i am like 5'5" 150 lbs\ and want something i can handle on my own.

Thanks for any help.

Also anyone have an opinion on the quattro 14?
Sail one raced against one its ability to race competitively? as this is the only plan I have found so far.

Let me bite the dust here, and recommend the F16. The platform can be built in your home as there are a good ammount of home built f16s

You can race it solor or two up. Minimum class weight is 230 lbs. But there is nothing that says you cannot build it lighter, as long as its sea worthy. Obviously to compete as an F16 you will need corrector weights.

Good luck

The Quattro 14 is a dated design. I dont think you will get the performance you want from it. Surely not to be competetive with the AO14 or similar.

Having buildt a Quattro16, I know the hullshape and design. I would not put a spi on the platform unless you also go for the front beam. A front beam on a 14 (or 16) foot platform is a real problem in chop or waves. In short, if you really want to build an F-14, look for other plans or talk with a designer. Perhaps Darryl can help you out (or sell you a AO14)

thank for response I had the feeling about the Quattro being dated but it is all I could find plans for and I would consider an F16 any ideas on plans for a F16 CAT? I would prefer to build at this point because thats how I am I enjoy that kind of thing. Also i have all winter to keep busy on the thing.
I am new to CATs so will be doing research as I have time.

Contact Phill Brander. He is the designer of the Blade. I am sure he can help you out with plans. His screen name is Phill, from Australia.

Good luck with whatever platform you choose.

Vary nice looking CAT I will look Phill up and check it out
Thanks Again

Nick,
If your thinking of building an article appeared in Catsailor Mag a while back that walks you through the process. It may be worth reading. Also it may pay to checkout the slide show on Thebeachcats.com web site.
Blade F16 Building Slideshow
It shows a lot of the processes.
Alternatively if you would prefer a 14 ft cat you wouldn't go wrong asking Darryl if he would sell you a set AOF14 hulls and building up an F14. You would be surprised at how much work and fun there is involved in getting a boat just the way you want it even after you have the hulls.

Regards,
Phill

I am not against the 16 I was actually concerned with being able to sail solo safely as I have often found that it is hard to pull others into action when the conditions are good. I do like the idea of the 16 in that it would be a better boat for having crew.

.
.
Anyhow what is the story on plans for the Blade, I am more interested after seeing the gallery, I like the steaming process it reminds me of how we bent ply for skate ramps.
Is that you building?
So is that just 3 sheets of ply?
1 Bulkheads and deck
1.5 Hull

Ask phill for details, if the 16's are too big for you then ask Phill about arrows, mosquito's and other smaller Australian homebuild cat designs.

WOuter

Nic,
I try to stay out of the photos. But I have been caught in a couple.
Any F16 can be sailed one up or two up safely. The added luxury of being able to use a carbon mast if you can source one at the right price can make it even easier but not really required.

The alumiumium mast used is quite light compared to typical aluminium mast sections you would find on other 16 ft cats.

I can take my boat off the trailer,rig, sail, unrig and put it back on the trailer by myself.
I did sail with my children when they had more time but these days with them working weekends I mostly sail by myself.
Mind you all of this also applies to a 14 ft boat.

Regards,
Phill

Thanks for the quick response, I think I like the blade if i can get plans I do think it would suit my purpose and be great fun here on Lake Erie and Ontario. I will be here browsing articles picking up what I can. I worked on stich and glue before and like the process, building some Kayaks before i built my first SOF "skin on frame" boat.
I am interest in plans for the F16 Blade so let me know. I was hoping to start over the winter here in Buffalo between classes + the remodel I am doing on my mothers house.
I will look for the mag later but I am off to class.
thanks again

Looks good here too

http://www.sailingworld.com/article.jsp?ID=42893&typeID=397&catID=571

Phill,

can you give us as idea of what its would cost to build a ply Blade? Whose mast extrusions are you using?

Scarecrow,
As your an F18 sailor I'm not sure what you are asking as
there is both an F16 and F18 design. I've not decided if I will sell F18 plans.
I'll make that decision once the F18 is in full production.
So I'll just talk in general terms for people who can source F16 and F18 plans from others.

You would build an F16 platform for around $2000 or less and an F18 platform for $3000.
This depends a lot on how you source materials and how careful you are.

Instead of a mould and foam the F18 uses the ply as a self shaping core when it is tortured.
A glass laminate is aplied to both sides. This yields a hull twice as heavy as the F16.
While this produces an incredibley strong an stiff platform the added materials bump up the building cost compared to the F16.

The very nature of the F16 and F18 class means the fitout on both vary so much you really need to decide on your personal prefernces and then price them.

Building is only for those who want to build. If you want to save money get a part time job and buy your platform.
Given the time it takes to build this would be the better financial option.

In my opinion the AHPC superwing is currently the best available aluminium section on the market.
They offerred its use to the F16 class so the Blade F16 uses the Superwing.

Alternatively anyone sailing one up can do what Gary Maskiell did on Altered and source a carbon A class section.
Install a centre web which will bring it up to the min tip weight of the F16 class and have a bullet proof carbon mast for one up spinaker sailing.

I hope this gives a bit of a general idea.

Regards,
Phill

I agree with Phil, you will not save any money by building your own boat.

I built a 14. I had all of the expensive parts (Carbon mast, sails, lines, blocks) already and most of the construction materials (Fiberglass, Carbon, kevlar, etc). I spent $1500-$2000 on just little stuff. I estimate I would have spent ~$6000-7000 if I had to purchase everything at full price.

Keep in mind there will be a big difference in final cost between a 14, 16, and a 18. Look at the factory prices. Unless you have some parts laying around, you will not spend much less.

In terms of time, I would estimate the platform represents less than 1/2 the total time. If you include integration and getting things to work, building and finishing the platform is about 1/3 of the total time.

I sail a 14 and a A-Class. I like the 14 because I never feel that I am overpowered by it. Even in 25+ kt winds I never felt overpowered. I was in danger of being beaten to death by the ocean but I had control of the boat. Compared to the 14, the A-Class is a luxary rocket ship. There is no comparison in performance and I can do everything without help. I do start feeling out of control at 15-18 kts and it takes a lot more effort to sail than the 14.

If I didnt want to build and wanted a boat I could sail by myself I would consider an older A-Class with a high wind/reduced area sail.

Thanks for input Carlbohannon I have also experienced this on Kayaks “cost to build” that I had built in the stitch and glue method in the past. For me the build of the boat is much of the experience. I enjoyed the process of working on my boats in the shop drinking coffee, stoking the fire to keep, the epoxy kicking, “dam cold winters here” and mostly having something challenging to do and learn. I am a builder though. Nothing like taking the boat you built out also. I know it is not for everyone but for some i think it is an addiction.

we have a hydra cat at our club (think tornado scaled down to 16 ft) and while they weigh more than a hobie 16.. I wonder how well they would go if we were to take a mould off the hulls and build it in light foam sandwich / carbon. by all accounts the tornado hulls have proved to be a enduring design performing well on all points of sail. plus you have the added advantage of having the development already done on the superwing rig. any thoughts?

I don't think I've seen it mentioned on this thread, but you might look into the Paper Tiger. Fourteen feet, hard chine hulls, seem to be pretty quick. Looks a great fun boat, for racing you'd have to go handicap.

OR: Berny for a pair of 430 hulls!!!!!

http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4287241557