WETA

for talking about the Weta Trimaran.

I'd like to give one a "tri" <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


Seriously, there is a first shipment to the West Coast coming any week now...the dealer's website lists most are going to SanFran...but a couple will be delivered to SoCal (Marina Del Ray and Ventura)...so I may just get a ride one day.

Mike.

I have two small children and have been looking for a boat with which to teach them how to sail. So, I went up to, Duck, NC for a week, specifically to test sail the Weta. Having now seen several posts regarding the boat on this website, I thought I would give anyone interested my impressions. First, for some background on my perspective, I grew up racing sunfish, 470’s, flying scots, & IOR boats (yes I am old) and only later transferred to Hobie Cats (16s, 18s, & 20s) and a stiletto 27. Consequently I really appreciate the feel of the helm on this boat. Having learned as a kid how to ‘work’ a dingy through chop with the helm, I always missed the fact that that sort of skill afforded me no competitive advantage on a beach cat, where to me it always felt like the best approach was to just point it straight, trim it properly, sit or trap in the right place, and keep it hauling a… Going through chop the Weta has the helm feel of a dingy but power and speed similar to a Hobie 16. Yet it is a much more secure platform, for beginners or anyone not wanting to attach him/herself to a gymnastic apparatus in order to stay upright when the wind exceeds 10 knots. Don’t get me wrong, I learned to trapeze while flying a spinnaker on a 470 so doing so on a beach cat still looks easy to me. But when a boat’s design requires that you trapeze in order to survive, it makes it less suitable for a young family. Next, at 14 ft. and only 240 lbs (the mast only weighs 10), the Weta can be easily rigged (in about 30 minutes), launched, and sailed by one person. Then, for the combination of speed plus comfort and crew capacity, the boat really outshines any other 14 foot boat on the market. No it is probably not as fast as an F16, but then again, the Weta is a one man boat that just happens to be able to accommodate up to 400 lbs. of not-very-movable ballast.

There are in my opinion only two downsides to this boat. The biggest downside is there may never be as large of a one-design class of them as other one man boats like the Hobie Wave or at the other end on the continuum, the A Class cat. Second, it is not cheap. You could by two Waves for the price on one Weta. But then, you could probably buy two Weta’s for the price of one A cat. So, will I buy a Weta? Maybe, it depends partly on how many of you do.

Mike,

The container in Richmond CA is already there.

Apparently they're going to unload it tomorrow.

Good to hear. Been following the thread on SA dinghy's for a while...no posts there on the shipement having arrived (or even left).

Again, I'm not sure when the SoCal boats will get here or even who will own them. If you get wind of the owners, please encourage them to post here and i'll ofer them a Tboat ride in exchange !

Mike.

We have one coming to our club in the Autumn some time, I've been in contact with the UK rep and I am hoping to get a sail at some point.

Cool boat, destined to be a hot boat (in a few more evolutions).

Really? Is this the hot new thing?

J

The container was unloaded and several boats got out sailing today at Richmond Yacht Club. Everyone was psyched about the boat. We will be there tomorrow all day getting the rest of the boats to the new owners. Stop by anytime during the day and you can see the boat or even possibly get out for a sail. We do have one boat still available from the container.

See you at RYC.

I really like the Weta, it looks like a solid product and a serious company.
If you come from a H16, F16/F18 I get the feeling that it lacks the thrill factor of a catamaran or maybe even a Laser and you will lose interest after a few sails (much like a PWC).
With just a 11,5m2 upwind and a 8m2 gennaker main it also looks very underpowered to me.

Weta Marine is a solid company and the quality control on the boat is very good. They are a pleasure to work with in terms of customer service and are really working hard to constantly improve an already good product. It is the fastest 14 boat that I have ever sailed, but it is just 14 feet. I think anyone who has sailed the boat may disagree with you in terms of the thrill factor.
PWC? That does not even deserve a rebuttal. It is a blast to sail downwind and its upwind performance is very solid with its daggerboard making the boat tack on a dime. It is also a boat that makes it easier and quicker to get out Sailing since one person can completely set up from trailer to water in under 20 minutes (while enjoying a beverage). Is this an F-18? No, it isn't trying to be that. In terms of it being underpowered, a new smaller main is in development for higher wind conditions and also for use in disabled sailing programs.

http://www.wetamarine.com/

Here it is. Are they going to offer a fatter, longer ama so it can be pushed harder in big wind? Why should the ORMA 60 guys have all the -sailing on one-hull fun? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Where's STRATEGERY? He bought one and is really pleased with his if I recall

i sailed one in auckland in very light winds but was still able to have a good time. even stopping to pick up 2 extra passengers. longer amas would open up the chance of flying the main hull, excellent idea and as easy change to make

can't think of any other performance dingy that can carry from 1 to 3 so easily. unlike a cat there is no yelling at the passengers to get to the other side after a tack to prevent flipping

$$$ ??

opening special price in the usa was $1000 from the importer

norwest boats???? should be able to find on the weta website

but with chinese currency rising and $ dropping current price is probably around $1200

Current Price is $11495. Container #5 is coming to NC in early August. We have had to raise the price $500 due to shipping costs and exchange rates. There is still one gorgeous Green Boat with a Black chute available on the West Coast. There are currently no plans for a bigger version. We are concentrating on this version.

What's up with the Grand Touring class? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the dealer posts here...you may want to have a chat with Rick & Mary about putting a proper advertisment on this site...it will be a great source of potential customers.


Also, if you are in contact with the buyers from the SoCal area (Ventura/Marina Del Ray), please pass along a link to the this site and even my email (tornado807ATverizonDOTnet) I'd be interested in arranging for a ride in trade for a Tornado ride one day.

Mike.

If the importer is willing to come on here and clear up the B.S. that gets to stay here ,then I think a little plug is tolerable. No harm ,No foul.
Rick knows Jon well, if there was a problem I'm sure he'd speak up.

Or two words; lifting foils!

pictures?

From SA Dinghy forum:

I will get some more pictures up once I get out of airports. Currently on the long journey home. I do plan on expanding our internet advertising and do not intend to be making this into a "free" plug. I just wanted to answer the questions accurately. There is one owner in So Cal that I can hook anyone up with if they want to send me a PM. Off to the gates!

Jon

Thanks Todd!

So there were two posts on price- one was $1000 - 1200 USD and the other was $11495! That's a ten fold difference so what is the price? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Hope you made it home Jon! Flying without a trapeze sucks these days!

Kirt

$11495 is the correct price. It never was a grand.

The Weta has carbon beams, mast and tiller(?)...that alone would be over $1k...before you add the three hulls, sails, rigging & dolly.

I was thinking that the $1000 was for the bigger ama's/

Thanks for the pictures. I'm looking forward to watching this develope. Very neat boat.

Let us know if any make it to the Northeast. There are a few of us interested in this area.

sorry the prices were my mistake

just dropped a zero from the two prices by mistake

$1000 should have been $10000
and $1200 should have been $12000

There are no bigger amas.

One of the beauty parts of this boat is that is shines as a high performance multihull for little people. It is the fastest boat that I know of that could be single handed by one person weighing more than say, 90 lbs, even without a trapeze, especially if he/she didn’t fly the reacher. My guess is that 145 lbs will be near optimum racing weight for an adult single hander using all three sails, even in heavy air. Since I weigh 145 lbs. that probably explains part of my optimism for the boat. But more altruistically, I have always believed that if we are to rebuild the sport of sailing, including multi-hull sailing, we are going to have to start with young people, and by young I don’t mean 20 somethings. I started racing when I was 12 and many from my club racing cohort started in prams when they were 8 years old. I could see my kids in a Weta when they get to be that age.

Strategery on this site has had a Weta for about 5 months now. Sails it with his kids. Surprised he hasn't gotten on board with this discussion.

Sorry all - been working too hard and not sailing enough.

So...I've been beating the crap out of this boat for almost 5 months now and it is taking it well. I load it on top of my car in about 35 minutes and can rig it (without sails) in under 20. I've been sailing it in Maine this summer and am about to head back to FL where I can stow the drysuit. It has trailered well - 3200 miles on top of the car behind the RV, then another 1,000 miles camping this sumer.


I know it's got a rap against it for flipping due to the vids they circulated, but in my experience this is a very good boat in breeze. I've been out now in up to 20 knots sustained and all I can say is WOW.

In light air, it is as fast as a any other displacement hull of 14 feet - slow. Once you reach planing speed, it is fast both up and downwind. IT IS NOT A CAT. Nor should your expectations be that it will match a cat's performance. However - it will sail in air that would be a knee knocking experience on a cat without threat of capsizing.

As a trainer - it's good. I've had both kids on it (6 and 8) letting one drive and the other trim. Lots of oversteering and late trim adjustments, but the boat lets them get away with it safely and without stress.

As for racing - the only race I've done was Juanna's Spring Fling, and with my daughter and I on board with a rating assigned for a single sailor, we were slow. I'd like to try it singlehanded in a breeze, where I think she'd do well.

It is extremely well balanced, and responds well to sail trim. I wonked a rock in Bar Harbor, Me a couple of weeks ago in about 18 knots of breeze and my rudder cracked/turned to mush. I locked it up so that I wouldn't lose it, and I ended up steering back about 4 miles using just the main and jib in puffy conditions. Not always perfect, but I managed to sail her back...very cool.

If you are considering this boat - you should take a sail. It is strong, light, and flawlessly finished.

If I could change anything, it would be to create an "R" package with a taller mast and a snuffer/chute instead of the screecher. Other than that, I wouldn't change a thing.

It will be in the FWYC fleet in 2 weeks.

C.

You can sail it on one ama...but not for long... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I have a question for those of you who have sailed a Weta off of the beach, which I did not do during my week at Nor’Banks Sailing (a marvelously operated private outfit located on the sound side of Duck, NC). How does the Weta do bustn out through an onshore break? The most durable boat for that in my opinion has always been the Hobie 16. After all that is what made the ‘Hobie Way of Life’ (sans protected harbor and private membership yacht club) possible for so many 000s. So the answer to my question has both direct and indirect implications for what type of sailors will be attracted to this boat. We know it handles like a dinghy. That will be very attractive to the traditional yacht club set. If the boat also does well getting out through surf, then it has the potential to attract both yacht clubers and the public beach crowd. On the other hand, if you can’t easily get it through a surf break then it may simply become a fast yacht club dinghy with training wheels.

One small clarification to my previous post ... I said that Nor’Banks Sailing is a ‘private outfit’. My understanding is that it is actually a private business that is open to the public. It does however offer rental and sailing instruction on Flying Scots, WindRiders, Hobie Cats and the Weta, all from the same location. From my experience you don’t often see rental and instruction on club dinghies and multis by the same people. How refreshing.

Strateragy says it it not a cat.
Will the WETA fill the void left by the absence of a F14 in the US?

Any appetite to have on of the NOOD's as a national point for a Weta gathering/race? If we have 6 boats on the line, I think they would give us a fleet start...

My bias is that I'm close to St. Pete and Houston, although I could try to make Marblehead work next year as well.