Nubbie just learning how to sail a GCAT 5.7

I am new to this site and have found very interesting info relating to sailing and specifically sailing the Gcat 5.7. I just bought one for the wife and I and am quite impressed as to how much room they have. We are try to learn to sail with both pontoons in the water for now. My question is will any other sails from other boats, ex. Hobie, prindle, etc., main or jib fit this boat to use when there is to much wind. I really need smaller sails for those times but can't afford to buy storm sails as they are as much as the boat was. Thanks so much for the help.

sorry Danny can't help with that info off the top of my head but i can tell you where to find all the info you need

go to the texel site below and download and save the zip files called "complete list with details" and "complete descriptions"

then you will have pretty much all the data you need to know how big your sails are and which sails are smaller

the g-cat 5.7 seems to be on line 117

http://www.watersportverbond.nl/wed...sid=6&cid=1039&mid=&mnu=1638

I have both a Hobie 14 and a Prindle 18. When it's too windy (blowing 25+)for the Prindle main, I have used the Hobie 14 main on the Prindle 18. Most cats secure the top of the main to the mast via a hook on the masthead and a ring on the halyard. I don't know how the G cat does it, but when I put the Hobie 14 main on the Prindle mast, of course it's aobut 3 feet short of reaching the top. Luckily the Prindle mast also has a horn clete down at the base of the mast, so I just tie off the halyard there when I'm using the H14 main.

You could leave the jib off or make it roller furling. You could also look for a 5.0 G-cat mast and main. I have both for sale. The rental 5.7's used this set up. It means more money, but for very little more you gain options.

You need the jib to help tack the boat. There are few things you can do to de-power the boat. Use the main sheet traveler more by traveling out it move the main out and spills more wind. Then when you get ready to tack bring the traveler in to harden up the main some to get your speed up to tack. Also you can put your jib blocks on adjusters to open up the slot more between the main and jib. I have put a jib furling system on my G-Cat 5.7 which reduces the jib area because I added a spinnaker. If you need help with any of it let me know. It takes a lot to stuff the bows of the G-cat because as the boat picks up speed the deep V symmetrical hulls generate lift. But if you really push it and try hard enough you can stuff the bows but I’ve never pitch poled just cartwheeled. The G-cat 5.7 has one of nicest rides of any beach cat but they will flip sideways. Also "cowboy" the main sheet with several wraps around your hand and you can drop a loop. I usually do not sail in gusty winds with the main sheeted in.

Our friend has put a mast rotator (enducer?) on his mast so he can over-rotate his mast to flatten his (non-stock) sails more to depower.

I agree, the jib does seem to be needed to tack correctly. I was sailing last weekend without it in 18-20 knot wind and and I could never tack. I had to do a 180 degree jive, if thats the correct term,(sorry still learning), to get the boat to point where I wanted. I would be interested in learning about jib blocks and/or converting to a roller furling system and getting rid of the jib stay all together. If I could figure out the jib problem I think I would be good, taking your suggestion of traveling out the main and fixing this jib problem.

How does an enducer work???

Thanks for the website. That is very helpful. At least know what my spec's are for that cat. Thanks alot....

Also How do you sail without the main sheeted in? What does that mean?

it adds hardware to the front of the mast (via a bolt through the mast) and uses cleats somewhere to force the mast to over-rotate.
Click here for an image of a mast rotator

No Without the main (sheeted), but you travel out a few inches (or more) to depower. This will cause you to point less (directly into the wind) but will help you spill off wind, and not gethit so hard when a gust of wind blows

Pull the main in just enough to go as fast as you are comfortable with. Best to start with the traveler out about 6 - 12 inches from center then sheet in more until you get use to the power / speed then you can move the traveler in towards the center more and let the main out until you get the feel for the boat. As you are learning it is best to not cleat the main sail in and keep the sail in your hands so you can release it quickly when needed. In no time you will be sailing with the traveler near the center and sail in tight! 18 -20 is pretty windy for learning but it will make you lean fast.