We're still working on the boat decision, but that little detail not withstanding, what all will we need to sail a cat in terms of gear? We don't need to get crazy to start, and won't be racing for a while if at all. What are the essentials? I know we'll need new PFDs that allow for more activity, rash guards and wet suits, but what else?

Does anyone make a replacement mast that acts like a Pez beer autoloader? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Sailbox, optional. Cattrax, not optional! Some sort of gps might be nice.

Don't forget about righting lines, even if you're not racing.

How about a trapeze harness.

Wouter

First piece of "gear" if you have little experience with cats, is: http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jqcmhpjpe
Of all the books I have seen on catamaran sailing, this is still the best.

Great book. You will learn more reading ot than you could in three years on your own. Save and build your own wheels.

http://dgaleana2.proboards56.com/in...action=display&thread=1143785090

DOug

What are you sailing and where?

A lot of the ocean sailors on this forum don't realize that beach wheels are optional if you only ramp launch from a trailer into a lake. I sailed without any for many years. If you plan to beach launch at all, get beach wheels.

Good PFDs are a must. Look at the short kayak style PFDs - longer ones end up around your face when you trapeze.

DO plan on trapezing. It makes cat sailing way more fun. You will want to get a harness that doesn't give you wedgies.

get one of dem astral jackets. They're hot.

Tikipete,

Stupid question, perhaps, but does the sailbox go on the trailer or is it for in the tow vehicle? In our former life (mono world), all our sails were in their own bags.

Beach wheels are a good idea, but I don't know if we'll need them to start or not. We'll mostly be sailing on Lake Erie, so I'll have to scope out the ramp situation. If we can get away with trailer launches only to start, great, otherwise we'll have to get some.

I already have a GPS (Garmen eTrex Legend) that's supposed to have some sort of nautical/bouy coordinates db already loaded, but I'll have to figure out what to do with 'em. I have the MapSource CD on my Christmas List.

Righting lines...now you'd think they'd come with a boat that needs them to get upright. Important safety tip, thanks Egon!

Wouter,

Trapeze harness?...does that mean a trapeze boat doesn't come with them? That would be a sad oversight for our first time out!

Rolf,

Have "Catamaran Racing For The 90's", and most of the others listed there, on my Christmas list already. I'll buy 'em myself if I'm gifted other stuff instead. I'm looking forward to all that reading over the Winter. Theresa got me Rick's Sailing Seminars DVD for my birthday, and I've already watched it end-to-end about 5 times. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Doug,

Thanks for the "roll your own" beach wheels link, had that in mind for if/when we needed some. Making a set might be a good Winter project for me and would equip us for anything in terms of getting the boat in the water.

jbecker,

What are we sailing? TBD, but the prevailing wind is blowing towards an F18 at the moment, either a Capricorn or an Infusion. As mentioned, Lake Erie sailing almost exclusively, so ramp launches will hopefully/likely be the norm. Remains to be seen, though. Good tips on the PFDs and harness, thx.

Maugan,

Man, those ARE nice...thx!

Gloves.
Footwear. Depends on beach conditions.
Proper clothing, depends on weather and water temp.
New stays if it's a used boat.
PFD - short-waisted, no water ski stuff
Beer

Where in the Cleveland area do you plan to launch and sail out of?

Don't know yet, but we're on the East side and could go anywhere between Mentor and downtown. I know there are a number of yacht/sailing clubs in the area, but I don't know about public access ramps yet. Any suggestions?

I am from the Greater Cleveland Area originally, and Rick and I now spend summers at Put-in-Bay at the western end of Lake Erie. I know about public launching areas in our area but not in the Cleveland Area.

I would think the first thing on your list would be figuring out how and where you are going to get your boat to the water. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Maybe Jake will have some suggestions (he used to sail out of Cleveland), but he is probably not going to be back on the forum until after the Steeplechase this weekend. Or maybe one of the OCRA (Ohio Catamaran Racing Association) people will have ideas.

Never been out to the Lake Erie islands, but have been across to Point Pelee on the Canada side (great for birding). It looks like they'd be a doable sail from Marblehead, weather permitting.

I'm sure there are public launches we'll be able to use, I just need to pickup a fishing map for the lake. If not, it'll be beach wheels and a whole lot of pushing and shoving. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

A Boat US membership, don't leave shore without it.....

I'd also reccomend both a knife and whistle attached to your PFD, VHF radio, and drybags for cell phone and any other important items. Having a small parts bag with shackles, rings, etc.. is also reccomended. Make sure you also have a righting line on the boat too!

OK...to sum up, besides boat & trailer we have:

PFDs (with attached knife & whistle)
rash guards
wet suits
sail box
beach wheels (if trailer launching not an option)
righting line
harnesses
gloves
footwear
Boat US membership
cellular phone
VHF radio
dry bag(s)
spare parts (shackles, rings, wire, duct tape, etc.)

...and beer.

Probably better also include:

multi-tool
flashlight
batteries

Anything else?

Yes. Probably the most important thing to have with you is lots of small pieces of line of various diameters and lengths. When something goes wrong and you need to jerry-rig something, rope is what you need.

anchor

My favorite piece of advice is to carry lots of small line and rope. I have personal experience with this. Somehow the pin that hold my tiller extension on feel out while 10 miles from where we had put in and the wind was giving it hell. We were able to rig up a new connection with some small line.

Also lots of pins shackles and bolts. If you see something that you can think of a way to use it, have it in the car. It will make sailing much more fun when you can just fix it and head on your way rather than cancle the whole day.

A roll of Duct Tape.


That thing kept me afloat when I was learning to sail Lasers.