What are Cat's capable of ?

Hello

I am looking into getting either a Laser or, the one I'm really leaning on, a Cat

I do not have much experience but I do have lot of questions. One main question is what are Cat's capable of ? I am asking about the 16' to 20' Cat's

Offshore ? How far ? How fast ? Are Cat's ever loaded up with any gear (to 'survive' the day I mean. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

What about 'cruising' sounds and the ICW (Intracoastal waterway) ?

What about when the wind DIES ?

Has anyone ever mounted electronics on a Cat ? Radio ? GPS ? Epirb ? Boom Box ? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I live in Carolina Beach, NC (Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach) and wondered what expereinces anyone has had there ?

What Cat's are best for Singlehanded ? Doublehanded ? Both ?

How many of you actually beach launch ?

Thanks in advance. Yes I am searching forums, yes I am hungry for knowledge. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

If you don't want to anser then don't reply please; I am looking only for serious and friendly responses. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Cats are fast, I hope you don't expect to do to much offshore in a laser but a cat can do more any day.

Cats do wonderfully on ICW's, my friend and I just sailed my 5.2 along the texas coast and camped at night for four days.

When the wind dies....don't be out, cats move in light wind very fast because they are light and have alot of sail so it should be okay.

I carry a radio sometimes but you don't need all that to keep you interested. A gps is okay, just go with handheld!

As for carrying gear, we had everything that 2 guys need to survive for 4 days on my Nacra 5.2 and never had a problem.

I beach launch and it is easy

Single hand boats:
Anything from the HObie line up to 18 will work but it all depends on how manly you are.
Nacra:5.0 great boat for shallow water areas, 5.2's are older but are fast and fun solo.

The options never end, just read alot on here.

I suggest you browse trough the archives of "On The Wire" from the good old "beachcats" days. You will find lots of experiences, tips and advice there.

http://www.thebeachcats.com/OnTheWire/catsail.com/index.html
(where are the rest of the issues??)

In addition, we have our own offshore solo catsailing guru here. He goes under the name "Hobiegary", and you can learn what you need to know from him (why do I feel like I just presented "The Stig" of offshore catsailing <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ).

If you want to sail solo and offshore, a catamaran is infinitely better suited for this than a monohull dinghy in my opinion. Not only becouse it is faster, but it is controllable in strong winds/rough seas due to its hull configuration.
The downside to cats are the high loads and the dangers of capsizing or "going turtle". But if you know what you do (have the experience needed), you can sail a 18 footer across the atlantic ocean. It has been done several times, but dont expect it to be fun. You will probably give in before the boat does..

Cats can go great distances (www.teamseacats.com - www.tybee500.com). The Tybee 500 (a one week long 523 miles race up the entire east coast of Florida) just finished last week. We do this race on a common Nacra 20 and one Hobie Tiger competed this year. At one time, there was a 1000 mile race up the coast to Virginia that started on 16 foot boats...but that's another story.

Our 20' cats can sustain speeds around 20knots with spinnakers and good wind /sea state. Upwind typical speeds are in the 12 to 15 knot tops. 18' cats w/ spinnakers can see about 18knots of downhill speed with about the same 12 to 15 uphill. A spin rigged 16' cat can accomplish similar speeds.

The furthest I've been offshore on a cat is about 11 or 12 miles. The limit is your desire. Some have crossed the Atlantic ocean.

"Cruising"? Well...you're not going to drink much beer while you are under way and brewing a cup of coffee is out of the question. You can travel places fast but it requires some physical exertion while underway.

Wind dies? Same thing that happens to every other sailboat. You either paddle or crank up an outboard (some have installed small outboards on their cats...although it is not very common).

There is a good deal of sailing around your part of the country.

Beach Launch - probably about 20%...beach launching is what "beach cats" were designed to do best.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/teamseacats/sets/72157600194459491/

There are all kinds of cats. It's like "automobile".

Some are faster, some crusie better.

(Sorry guys, I just can't help myself.)

You're bio doesn't say much about you. I'd fill that in a little more.

You're best bet is to ask for a ride! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Most of these folks would be happy to show you the ropes, pun intended.

I have sailed a Hobie 16 for 22 years (bought it new in '85) in NC. I am inland so usually sail in Lake Norman or Jordan Lake but have taken it to the coast a few times. Two years ago I sailed off the beach for a week at Emerald Isle which is in your area. We had perfect weather and wind all week. I have sailed off North Myrtle Beach a few times. I also sail a monohull, a Cape Cod catboat. For sheer fun and excitement the catamaran is the best choice. I wouldn't sail far from shore in any small sailboat. There is no purpose to it. You can sail all you want fairly close to shore. I also wouldn't single hand an H-16 in the ocean though I do it all the time in the lakes. You need help getting out through the surf and dragging the boat back up the beach. You don't want to try to right the boat alone when you have waves to contend with. My boat of choice would be an H-16 but I am biased. It is the most common so more available on the used market. It is a rugged boat that, in my case, has stood up extremely well.

Howard