I am planning a cruise and need some help

Some of you know that I have a Nacra 5.2, and I am planning a small cruise on it in the middle of march.

The plan is to sail from Corpus Christie in the direction of Galveston. I have a list of important stuff that I know I need. The trip will involve sailing along the coast in the internal waterway between the mainland and the coastal island. At night I will be camping out and cooking some basic food over a small gas stove.

The storage of the gear isn't to much of an issue, I have a truck bed cover that I have folded into a triangle and have hung up front acting like a forward tramp. It won't hold a person comfortable but will hold gear.

What I am looking for is some input on a few things. First off I want you all to give me so ideas on equipment. I already have a nice list going but I think that outside input will help. I have all the camping gear and it is very light because I have used it for elk hunting in New Mexico.

So get started what do I need?

Also I plan to be self sufficient on this trip because I want to be able to turn around at anytime without having to worry about reaching a destination to restock.

I forgot to add above that a close friend will be sailing his Hobie 17 with me and will need the same information, but we don't want to have to rely on each other.

Okay, and in my defence I understand that these boats are not made for distance sailing, but if the guys can sail stuff like the worrel and other distance races surely we can take it easy and have some fun!

Seems to me that if people are able to go hiking in the wilderness for a week or more with everything they need in their backpack, you should be able to do the same thing on a boat. Only difference that you don't have to actually carry the backpack yourself -- just tie it down on the tramp. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Sounds like a fun trip, since you are doing it on the "inside."

Don't forget to take a paddle. And watch out for tidal current at inlets, because it can sweep you right out to sea, if the current is anything like it is at inlets in Florida.

Not made for distance sailing? Pahshaah.

First; test your forward trampoline before you rely on it. It would be a bad third or fourth day to have all your gear disappear when you get some bad weather. Second, weight forward on a catamaran (a 5.2 doesn't have a ton of reserve buoyancy up front either) can be a problem if the weather gets strong. The solid toneau cover might also pool water leading to an additional weight problem. If you are single handing, you should easily be able to store the things you need on the main trampoline. Use dry bags, you can get large ones from walmart for about $12 to $15. You can move the drybags from the front beam to the rear beam depending on where you think you'll need the weight.

Safety gear: VHF radio, Cell phone (stored somewhere VERY nice and dry), waterproof flares, whistle, paddle, righting system to solo right the boat...EPIRB might be nice but since you are staying inside, it is probably not a requisite item.

Gary Friesen is the person to get information and instruction from on this subject. He has done several camping/cruises from southern California to the Catalina Islands, sometimes is some pretty hostile conditions. He also has some pretty well written accounts of these trips in the ezine "On the Wire". I was unable to find it though. It's out there somewhere.

-Rob V.
Panama City

On The Wire archives.

http://www.west.net/~lpm/hobie/archives/

I have tested it, I loaded it up with almost 200lbs of gear and went for a cruise on my local lake. Granted I won't have that much gear on it when I got down there but I wanted to check and make sure it was solid. Also it isn't solid, it is netting. So it won't hold any water.

I have all the safety gear mentioned and some other stuff. I even added a small inflatable raft. I figured that if something was to happen and i needed to abandon the boat it would be nice to have something floating.

When i loaded up the front with 200 pounds i did have to take it easier in chop but the boat does pretty good even with all that weight up front. I figure that the heaviest stuff I will store on the tramp but other than water I think I can get on the water under 50 pounds.

How much water should I take. Lets just say it should be a five day trip, and I want to take double the water I should need. Would 6 gallons be sufficient plus some gatorade to drink?

200 pounds of gear for a five-day trip?? I figure you must be taking a woman with you. For me alone I would bring 5 gallons of water, some dehydrated food, trail mix, and a backpack tent. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I over did it when I loaded up the boat for the test. I figured if I was going to test it I might as well over do it.
Like I said above, I am looking to get on the water with less than 50 pounds of stuff on my boat not including water. Then if I take 5 gallons of water that is 40 pounds so I am looking at 90 pounds total. I think I could shave another 10 pounds off the gear so I could be on the water with less then 80 pounds on the boat. The old Nacra will hardly notice 80 pounds.

I was thinking Ramen noodles and trail mix. My tent only weighs 4 pounds and sleeps two. The camp stove is less than a pound and I won't need many cloths. So this should be a pretty light packing job.

take a hiking size water purifier. The good ones will desalinate/purify about 1 liter/10 minutes. Handheld & small, it's a great emergency tool to extend your water rations

That sounds like SO much fun. I wish we could get more catamaran sailors interested in doing group cruising trips like that.

So the water filter I have will desalinate the water? I didn't think it would since the salt is dissolved into the water. I have one of those that I use in the mountains, I will take it for sure if it will make the water drinkable.

Also Mary, I am really excited about this cruise. It won't be hard and should be a blast.

I am also a pretty avid bass fisherman, I am going to take a heavy bass rig with a small tacklebox. I know there are some redfish on those barrier islands so I should have some fun fishing also.

A simple filter isn't going to desalinate the water.

I didn't think so. I will just make sure to take plenty of water.

Gree2056:

You need to get one of these and cut down on water to carry:
http://shop.sailnet.com/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/171/products_id/29655

Doug

Yeah, that would be really cool....but it costs more than what I paid for my boat.

Actually, yeah...that does sound like a lot of fun.

Have you ever tried one of those? You'll sweat 1 gallon worth of water for every cup produced.

The specs say you get about 1oz every 2 minutes and it requires 40 (not easy) strokes a minute.

Your forward trampoline sounds like it could be a bad idea. based upon experiance. try a trianlged shaped net with one edge along the forward beam and the point of the net on the center about 3-4 ft forward. the heavy plastic chicken mesh/wire works well also. put your gear in water tight gear bags, REI has them fairly inexpensive. attach the bags on teathers and quick release knots so if you go over you can get rid of the wieght that will be pull the boat over. a hobie bob whould be an nice peice of x-tra saftey. carry all the local "land" AAA maps of the route (did this in mexico saved our butt when we emergancy beached in the middle of no where). as well as the marine maps. Paddle is a good idea. the best that i carry is a outrigger canoe paddle. wood with t-handle. very efficiant if you need to accully paddle and if you break the sterring you can steer the boat with this type of paddle up to about 10kts. carry a peice if "amsteel" 5/16 .or 1/4 or equvalant about 50 ft long. with that you can repair just everything to get you home including standing rigging. basic shackles, pins, etc. and a bicycle inner tube, a flat peice of 1/8 in rubber about 1ft sq. and duct tape. Think all worst case senarios thru. And have a blast sounds like a great trip.

In my younger days in 1982 while stationed in Puerto Rico I had this wild idea of sailing my cat around the island of PR. It is about 100 miles long and fifty miles across. So Hector (he spoke the language) and I loaded up the cat and had a blast. When we landed at the beach in the evening the local kids would come out to see us. usually one or two would stay with the boat while the others would take us to their local town/village and show us off. Many times in the morning we would be woke up by one of the fathers that had his wife make us breakfast and PR coffee. The best time I ever had. Anyway I would loose the tent take a tarp and sleep on the tramp. Lots of water and fruit is what we took. Sorry for the low quality of the photos, they are old and the camara was a throw away in case it got wet.




Carl

Saylor Specialties
www.saylorspecialties.com

If you read a little closer about the forward tramp it is a triangle. It is a net truck bed cover. I folded it in half making it a triangle. The back side is attached along the front crossbar. The front or the corner of the netting attachs where the bridle wires meet. So it is basically what you are talking about.

I am taking a paddle, it is a plastic paddle with an aluminum handle and a plastic grip. I think somewhat close to what you describe. I also have an extra shroud, I think between it and some other stainless cable that I have and am taking I should be able to repair anything. I hadn't thought of the innertube. I will have to add that to the list.

I love the pictures of the boat taking the distance sail. I might go with a tarp over the tramp but in a big rain storm it might be nice to get inside a very dry ten rather then a leaky tarp over an already wet boat. My tent that i have is a very extreme tent, made for winds up to 80mph, and completely water proof. I would have a hard time justifying not taking it when it only weighs four pounds and can set up in just a matter of minutes.

Keep up the great suggestions!

might be overkill but I remember a couple who sailied a I20 to the bahamas(I think). I recall they ran a log piece of spectra from the hounds to the attachments for the shrouds on the hulls, the spectra could give you extra time if a shroud failed.

I wish I lived closer to the tip of Florida, I would go island hopping in the Florida keys. Instead I am going to cruise the gulf coast.

I planned on camping on the islands along the coast. Will that be a problem? They look uninhabited so I don't see it being to much of a problem as long as I leave it how I found it.

Also, I have some experience in the ocean but most of it is fishing experience. I want to know what I need to worry about. I know that the chance of shark attack is pretty small so that isn't what I am worried about, but are jellyfish a threat? What would I do if I got stung by one. Is there anything I need to worry about?

I have talked to a few people from corpus and they have all said that the water temp should be around 70 in mid march. I know that the prevailing wind is out of the southeast, and it is pretty reliable during the entire month of march. Is there anything I am missing here, from the way the wind sounds I will be able to reach along the barrier islands alot which should block most of the waves, it should be a fast way to sail.

Sorry this was so long, I just want to make sure I am thinking of everything!

might want to tke some of the west system repair kits. They're not too expensive, and can save the day for a quick fix. Not sure about the jellyfish, I've never had a problem with them. I have seen a 18ht hit a Manta Ray and have to replace a hull. The dagger board cut through the hull like butter. Other than that a waterproof vhf might help, you might need to contact a bridge keeper on the intercostal or in an emergency. Sounds like a lot of fun, I'm jealous.

Another question, I should have good wind after looking at the last 10 years weather in march I should expect so great winds.
So how many miles can I make a day. Lets say I am on the water by 8 or 9 in the morning. Sail for about four hours, hour break for lunch and some fishing, then another couple of hours for sailing. So what am I looking at, can I make 50 miles per day. Lets say about 6 hours total sailing. That would only be about 8 mph average, can I do better than that? It doesn't really matter, I will have five days for the sailing part of the trip. I will just sail north until the end of the second day then turn back. That will give me an extra day to get back, also it will give me time for some fishing around the islands.

Carry some meat tenderizer for jellyfish. Coyotes may be a problem on some of the more uninhabited areas. Texas coast is pretty desolate place in lower Texas area. And mosquito's will eat you ALIVE. They were real bad at TCC in Palacious (sp). If it were me I would put in double shrouds and some extra piece of line of a forestay. Demasting would be bad. I raced old ruff Riders down the ditch and thee is not a lot there for miles. Cell phone and VHF would be a good idea. Be safe, rather than sorry. And watch out for barges. They don't get out of your way.

Doug

Doug I don't think coyotes should be a problem unless they are alot different than the coyotes here in Oklahoma. At the worst they might sniff my gear but they are not danger. I am alot more worried about misquitoes, or mabeye a rattlesnake.

But back on the subject of the trip. after looking at some satellite images of the islands I realize that most of the islands are just shallow sandbars. But some of them are raised above water so I will have somewhere to sleep. I will have to make sure that I don't wake up under water some morning.

It appears that there is only one bridge to worry about. I think it has a raised area where sailboats can pass under but if not I will simply drop the mast and paddle under then raise the mast again.

As for how many miles, it greatly depends on what direction the wind is coming out of, and how hard you can push the boat.

50 miles a day is fairly reasonable IMO. I'll second Zander's recommendation of an epoxy repair kit.

Like I said before if the wind does what is has for the past 10 years I am going to be on a screaming reach all day long.
If I can do 50 miles per day the would make Port Lavaca within range. That would be nice ot be able to stop there and refill my water tank, it would allow me to cut down on the amount of water I am going to need.

Yes the wind is mostly out of the south here, most of the time. BUT watch for weather fronts. A beat down the ditch is a bitch!!!! It is VERY narrow at spots.

Doug

I have been looking at the satalite images and it doesn't appear that I will have to go through any of the really narrow ditchs. I think I will be able to stick to the main waterway most of the time.

How much shipping goes in and out of Corpus, will I have to worry about giant cargo ships? I assume that I will see them coming and be able to stay out of the way but I will have to make sure.

It we depended on the historical wind patterns for planning the Tybee 500, we'd only pack a chute.

The last two years I can only remember two legs where we were able to use the chute for a whole leg.

What I'm trying to say, is that don't rely solely on historical weather data to plan your timetable.

Sounds like fun.
Someone should "act" old and responsible here.
Have you ever sailed in the ocean? Has your friend?
You have been sailing for maybe two years I'm guessing. I'm a little concerned about you experience level here.
If you plan on reaching down the shore then you may have to sail off the beach with an on shore breeze.
Have you ever done a surf launch.
Don't assume anything will be easy, even sailing on the inside.

Two is one and one is none. Have a spare knife, tools etc. and don't store in the same place.
Bring some neosporin w/pain relief. Salt water is nasty on cuts.
Stay safe, we want to hear the stories from you, not the Coast Gaurd reports.

I'm done now

Think the only thing you have to worry about are tugs with barges. All ships take the Gulf or come from Galveston to Houston up Ship Channel. Pat he is going up the Laguna Madre, it is like a big bay.

Doug

Now that's a great story....say, sorry I missed you in Columbia - but I didn't see you in the results. Did you make it?

I have sailing in the ocean, it was on my uncles hobie 16 and we were launching into some surf that scared the [censored] out of me. Granted that was some time ago but I have read up on it alot and understand the idea.

I have been sailing since I was about...14 or so. I started on a Sunfish, then the Hobie 14, and now the Nacra.

I have alot of people playing the responsible father part, included in that group is my father and every other family member. But thank you I will make sure to have extra parts and tools everywhere.

don't *NOODLE* around with cuts on salt water. Good call there.

I have no idea what the services are in that area, but why not plan a trip where you can stop at differient bars/hotels/beach restaurants, etc?

You could fill up on water, and probably get a shower.

Bill

From what I'm told, the Texas coast can be pretty desolate.

That isn't really what I am looking for. I have done alot of hiking back in the wilderness in New Mexico some of it 20 and 30 miles from the nearest road. I just basically want to take a camping trip by boat. It will be combining two of my favorite outdoor activities.

Sounds like fun. Things you need.

Knife, flint, water, food, vhf, cell phone, strobe, flares, signal mirror, whistle, extra line, extra shackles, a couple of tools(screwdriver, pliers). I'm sure there might be more things but this is a good start.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket. In other words don't pack all your equipment into one backpack. Keep some on you, some on the tramp, some on the forward tramp. That way if you lose one thing you don't lose everything.

Remember to stay with your boat. Only enter a life raft by stepping up into it as your boat sinks.

Mike Hill
www.stlouiscats.com

There's a book called "Paddle to the Amazon", written by a guy who paddled his canoe from Winnipeg MN, down the Mississippi, along the Gulf Coast, up the Orinoco and down the Amazon.

The section about the Gulf Coast of Texas may be helpfull to you. Even if it isn't, it's a good read.

Good luck on your cruise.

My experience has been:
Spare parts lead to extra weight and expense, you're better off being able to fix stuff.

Smoke flares are the best.

Wherever I goeth, the wind is on my noseth.

Regards
Chet

www.texascitydike.com

Look for Chris Green, Todd Bouton. Ask them what it's like.

If I'm not mistaken, you're traveling the same path as the Great Texas race, only hopefully doing it on the INSIDE of the islands, yes?

I've been south of Corpus, but that's not going to help you betwixt Corpus and Galv.

Oh yeah, talk to Andrew Tatton, he's from there, Refugio...

I'm surprised none of the above have chimed in but they may have been misled by the post heading. Anyway, go to TCDYC site, ask the same question, experienced folk should answer you...

gree2056, I've missed the part where you introduced yourself so, what is your name? Gary Friesen here.

Your friend who will parallel your course, is he a member of this forum too?

Here are a few things you can consider:

Can I reduce sail area when overpowered?

Can the bows and bow tangs handle the additional load from the forward tramp?

Can I recover from a capsize where I go "turtle?"

Shouldn't I have an anchor to safeguard the boat from floating away during an surprising rise in tide?

How to do I make absolute certain that there will always be a totally clean and dry portion of cloth to wipe the oil off of my lenses and the sunblock out of my eyeballs?

When living in a marine environment, salt should be your companion, not the enemy. Learn to live with it. Where I come from, sea water submersion was actually a reasonable treatment of cuts. Yes, antibiotic ointment is far superior.

Don't fill the inside of the hulls up with weight; you'll get in trouble when "turtled."

Consider being able to pitch your tent on top of your trampoline. Fewer flea bites. Air on the underside promotes drying.

Investigate cell phone coverage in the area. Cell service providers should have coverage maps on the www.

File a float plan with somebody who is dedicated to be your information relay, ground support person who will know when they should or should not report you missing or overdue. Have an established protocol for what that ground support person does or does not do in the event that you do or do not contact them at certain times.

Wool socks can save you from blisters, even when wet.

Stand up and exercise the legs every hour to prevent them from going to sleep. (30 squats works for me)

National Geographic "Explorer Paper" will take normal ink jet ink and produce waterproof results. Print your tide charts, boat insurance information, boat registration, copy of your personal identification, health insurance card, important way points, magnetic compass courses between known landmarks, and emergency phone numbers. Also print maps, charts, etc.

Always have duct tape on hand.

Use di-electric grease (tune up grease available at auto stores) on all electrical contacts, especially those that may become exposed to salt. I use it on my batteries, spare batteries, charging contacts, and gps upload link cord contacts.

Water bottles easily tolerate being deep frozen. Play things right and you may be able to have the luxury of cold drinks for 1-3 days.

A small package of damp face wipes is a nice luxury. A freshly cleaned face can provide "that just showered feeling."

Keep a leash on your visor hat. A lost visor, days from the store, would be bad.

Wear foot protection. A barnacle cut or a glass cut on the sole of your foot could ruin a good time.

Bring a mosquito face/head net. Wear it over your hat so the visor keeps the net off of your face.

Carry along a log book and make entries at least once a day. You'll remember this experience for the rest of your life and will take great joy in reliving it each time to think about it. You will remember a multitude additional measure of moments that occurred during the trip if you have notes that were made when the thoughts and memories are fresh in your mind.

Make this event an expedition. Think of the event as the entire expedition, not just as a 4-day trip. A large part of the experience is this, the planing portion. The gearing up and the gearing back down to return to the busy society is part of the expedition. All of the expedition is deserving of your full attention and will reward you with many memories.

GARY

Sorry, I guess I should introduce myself.
My name is Vernon Green and I am a 20 year old college student. The friend going with me isn't a member I have tried but he doesn't look at the boards to often.

Thanks for all the advice, I cut and pasted it to my list I am making of stuff. I am looking at the planning and everything as part of the trip not just the five days on the water.

It is hard to address most of the stuff you said but I can sailing the boat in very heave winds, I have the ability to depower and to right the boat from a turtle. It isn't fun but I can do it.

Also as for first aid, I have taken many courses in it and have my first aid license.
I plan to take a small soft icechest with alot of dry ice in it. We use this same idea when we go on long hiking trips and the dry ice will keep water nice and cool for four days. I have been thinking and I now plan to sleep on the tramp. I measured my tent and it will fit on the tramp of my boat as long as I hang it off the back end a little.That would solve alot of problems. It would be cleaner and I wouldn't have to worry about the boat drifting away without me.

I already checked the phone service, according to the website i should have service the whole time. It is so flat that I will have a line of sight to a towner almost anywhere.

I plan to get in contact iwth the coast guard and tell them my exact plan also I will have a few people who are watching out for me from the land. I will have a set time each day that I will call someone and if I miss that by a certain amount I will have a plan for them.

I hadn't thought of the log book, I will make sure to do that.

Thank you for the great advice. I am very excited about this trip, it should be a blast if I am careful.

Vernon:

I would carry a VHF with you. When we raced at Texas Catamaran Chapionships in Palicios the cell service was REAL bad. Hit and miss at best.


http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?sea...tx&zipcode=

Doug

Racoones can be BIG problem. They will try to get to your food and WATER. I hosted water and food up on a mast on my trips.
On a solo boat I found that oars works much better than single paddle.

Typically, you can survive on two liters of water a day, unless it's very hot. Gallon a day was more than enougth for me.

Why don't you try Watertribe Challenge - it's a lot af fun, and you can take all week to do it.
www.watertribe.com

It's a great resource too. I'd recomend to read some of the articles
http://www.watertribe.com/Magazine/Y2002/M12/SteveIsaacMakeAHypothermiaKit.aspx
http://www.watertribe.com/Magazine/Y2002/M12/SteveIsaacWaterTribeKit.aspx
http://www.watertribe.com/Magazine/Y2002/M12/SteveIsaacHydrateOrDie.aspx
http://www.watertribe.com/Magazine/Y2002/M12/SteveIsaacWhenGodsPlay.aspx

Jake,

I did not make it, the weather looked like rain and little to no wind, Plus I had a Composites job to get out. As my better half always says "Eating is Good" <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Thanks for asking, I will show up when least expected. Have my spin pole now, building model and molds for hoop. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Sorry to steel the thread.

Carl

Saylor Specialties
www.saylorspecialties.com

I live on the coast an hour or so north of Corpus, and it is indeed desolate in a lot of areas. Sounds like a fun trip, tho. Be aware that our spring winds can blow 20-30 mph for days, out of the southeast of course, but still. Good luck, and let me know if you make it down.

hey there gree. i did a build up on my hobie 16 several years ago and posted results in this forum. i built racks out of inexpensive pvc and managed a way to lash them to the boat. i made adjustable backrests and a rack that went forward of the mast. the rack that went forward of the mast was the ticket for mounting cooler(s). do a search for camper/cruiser in this forum with a limit on 5yrs. (or do a search on my user name) there are pictures too. the back rests were lifesavers too for all day comfort. ive been using this system on my boat since and have done a dozen sail/cruises. all on freshwater lakes of texas. twice on the very large lake texoma. on the second trip, the boat survived a wicked 55 mph wind front. very scary, but managed not to capsize due to the gear (wt) we were carrying. i had brand new sails and they were luffing so hard i thought they were going to rip. i did manage to break battens. i dont know what your max wt is on your boat but the hobie is pretty high. seems like it is 800lbs. one note is that the first time i loaded up the front rack with too much weight forward. the boat was level but with the jib up, it created a huge tiller load. after that, i figured out that if i kept the weight closest to the mast and just put large bulky and light items further out on the rack, tiller load became normal. oh yeah. if you plan to sleep on the boat, find a way to silence your halyard. i took the sail down first night out and the dang thing clanged all night.

the pictures are old pre digital camera. i can take new pictures if you want.

tx,

Are you saying you can put 800 lbs of gear on a Hobie 16? That sounds like a bit too much.

As far as silencing a halyard, it's common courtesy to do so if you leave your boat on a beach (as to not annoy the people that live next to the dunes). If you take your halyard and just wind it two or three times around the mast before you secure it, it won't make any noise.

yep, i double checked hobie website for max load capacity on the 16 and it is 800lbs. the 17s are good for only 400lbs. ive had 4 people (2 sm adults and two teenage kids) and gear on mine. there is not a lot of freeboard and no chance in hell of flying a hull, but it handles nicely and makes good speed.

The 5.2 will hold alot and I think has more floatation than the 16 but I will check into it for sure.

I would like to see some pictures of those racks, I could use some ideas.

Guys:

I have had 3 adults and a teenager on my Hobie 17 and with the wind that day it still tried to lift a hull. Rating are on the Conservative side for product liability.

Doug Snell

i always wondered why the 16 was rated so much higher than a 17. while i dont think 800lbs on any cat is practical, cats can carry more than you think.

gree, i guess you are trying to do this on spring break? you should be able to talk a couple of girls into going with you.

did you find my camper/cruiser post? there is a picture on that thread. ill get my digital out and take some new pics in a couple of days. my backyard is flooded and i need to get the boat out of the backyard to take the pics.

No rush to get those pictures, we are working on the female situation but for some reason sailing camping and now showering with two guys just doesn't appeal. My girlfriend will go in a second if my friend can find another girl but if he can't I don't want her to go because that would make things kinda awkward for my friend.

That is what I love about my girl, she is up for anything.

gree,
spend 10 bucks and get a solar shower. they work incredibly well. lather up with salt water. rinse with fresh water. if done right, you could do two rinses with 1.5 gal of fresh water. being clean once in awhile makes all the difference.

I had thought of that, we will be stopping in a town halfway so maybe we could do that then. I think my dad has a solar shower somewhere.

ok, here are some pics i dug up. the front rack and side racks.

Uhhhh.... pics?? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

another pic

front rack

my kid riding on the front rack

loaded

side rack

about paddles.....i carry a kayak paddle. it is long enough to pole in shallows and you can straddle the pontoon and paddle efficiently after locking the rudders.

Thanks for all the pics I might be building something like that soon. I am not sure how I could do the side racks because the Nacra's tramp is level with the hulls but I think I will try. I like that front rack!!!

I have a good kayak paddle that I always carry so that isn't a problem.