Boat Disposal

Where can you throw away a boat? I figure ill keep parts to sell online, but what about the hulls? Do dumps take them?
Thanks,
E

Landfills will take them. I've heard tale of people going to the length of chopping them up into pieces and discarding them periodically with the curb side trash service.

landfills will take them, but if they are whole then they will likely charge you a bulldozer charge, its around $100 in this area. So when I throuhg away and old power boat that I needed the trailer from I used a sawzall to cut it into pices, load it into the back of my truck, then i was able to drive it out to the landfill and dump it for the normal $10 fee. A sawzall will make VERY short work of a catamaran hull, so this is deffinately worth it in my book.

Incedentily, what type of boat are you parting?

I dispose of several boats a year and have different ways to do so. If I have several hulls, I just cut them in half and put them in the back of the truck to take to the landfill. Having an 8 foot bed helps. If it is a slow month and I only have a hull or two, I cut them up and put them in the trash can. Just for future reference, you can put an entire Hobie 16 hull in one trash can if you cut it up right.

I got a trailer a while ago that was in REALLY bad shape, so I needed to get rid of it. I also had hulls for 2 Hobie 16s, a 14, A Solcat 18 and a P16 that I had to dispose of. I strapped them all to the trailer, drove to the landfill, unhooked it and drove off. Man, it was pretty cool seeing the bull dozer run over the whole thing!!

One thing I do when I get rid of hulls is to keep the tips of the bows. I plan on making trophies out of them some time, but just can't seem to get around to it. I have a STACK of bow tips!

ut them into 3 ft sections and make tables out of them. Sell them on EBay and make your small fortune from us cat crazy suckers.
Im serious.

I know where a nice G-Cat 5.0 with Calvert sq top and jib are. Nice boat with all the go fast features. I also saw those hulls I have been telling you about. I dont think they are going to do you any good. Ill keep looking
Dave Mosley

Dave,
you are awesome. Thanks a ton for the rigging guide. I tried to email you, but it didnt work. PM your email stuff and ill give you a long thank you there.

Thanks a ton, i bet its fun cutting the boat up! But sad too

Its a G-Cat 5.0 i got from a non sailor, that needs basically everything. I finally found shrouding and stuff, but it looks like that will be around $500 with traps, and then i need all new blocks, and more misc parts for the the thing. And i need to replace all the board things on top of the hull cause they are super soft. I think they just lost a bag of parts when they sold it to me. Even once i spent all that money It would still be a sketcy boat with soft wierdly patched holes and a HUGE dent in the mast.

At least i can drive around with a nice trailer behind my car and look like my cat is out sailing.

ha
E

PS I used this icon cause i have no idea what it is.

While a sawsall will work, a much easier way to cut it up is to use a circular saw with a masonry blade...I doubt if you will use more than one blade. Masonry blades wear down as you cut but are very cheap and they don't dull but keep cutting surface fresh throughout there life, that is until the diameter is too small to be useful. Most standard sawsall blades will dull out in a couple feet.

A masonry blade in a circular saw will go thru the boat hull like butter...I have cut up power boat hull like this with a thickness of over 3/4" solid glass.

Regards,
Bob

Shoot I'd pull out my trusty Stihl Chainsaw and go to town. Please wear proper eye protection. A chainsaw will make short work of a hull.

Mike Hill

Chainsaws work extremely well, but you get little pieces of fiberglass EVERYWHERE. Believe me, I cut up a boat with a chainsaw and couldn't sleep for 3 days with all that fiberglass in my skin!

I use a sawsall with a long blade for cutting wood.

I'm sure you know, but if you use a chainsaw stay well away from any metal parts. Any of the stainless shroud ancors would cause a big kick-back or a chain break.

Wait a second- "the board things on top of the hull..."? You have a GCat 5.0 Mk I with the one-piece hulls and plywood decks? If the fiberglass is in good shape, there is nothing wrong with those hulls. The plywood just bolts into the fiberglass with some bedding compound to seal it up.

Where is the dent in the mast? You can replace the mast with one from a H16 -just swap your base onto the "new" mast. How could it possibly cost you $500 for new standing rigging (including trapeze wires)? If there is a West Marine nearby you can easily swage all your own wires.

Use a very fine metal cutting blade - I used a skill saw with a wood blade and it died after about 12". I saw somewhere that someone made a diamond blade (very similar to a concrete blade) for a skill saw expressly for cutting fiberglass....while I don't think it's worth the price for this one project, I thought it worth mentioning. Fiberglass is tough stuff to cut!

Jake...if you use a masonry blade, it has no teeth...Think of it is like a thin abrasive wheel...it doesn't get dull...it just looses diameter. They are only a couple dollars apiece. The circular saw blades for cutting metal also work.

Regards,
Bob

Or, you could gently place it IN THE PATH OF A SPEEDING POWER BOAT! That will get things going in the right direction for ya....

This is what im talking about with the hull.

Is it really soft in that spot? It doesn't look like much of a problem to me. Mine has some crazing and nicks/dings too but still works great.

But hey... if you're getting rid of the boat I'd be interested in some parts and stuff from it. Especially the cross-beams

syco,
the soft spot is on the top.
My problem is this: This is my first cat. I dont really know how things are supposed to be. It hasnt really helped that this cat is missing a load of stuff. Ha. I talked to a few people about replacing the rigging and noone could tell me what to do. Thats one of the reasons im so glad i found this place! You guys (in the gender non-specific way) are such a great help.
I heard a couple times to go to west marine, but I cant find the lengths for the things i need. Thats a big problem. I called a few Cat dealers around here too, and ne of the places I called about the rigging finally tracked down the lengths. And they quoted me about $60-75 for each peice of wire. Plus trap lines. And I still need blocks.
He is the only person i know that has the lengths but it seems really expensive for me, and id feel weird asking him for the lengths so i can go make them at westmarine. Know what I mean?
On top of all of this, I live in an apartment and dont really have anywhere to keep the boat at home, so i keep it at my dads lake house (i want to teach my brother and sister to sail) which is 5 hours away, and the deal i have with him is i have to get it sailing or take it away!
Its coming down to the wire (pun intended) and I just dont know what to do!

I just want to go sailing

Eddie

Why don't you contact Hans Geissler, the designer and builder of the G-Cats? Even though he is not actively building new boats right now, he told me he has lots of parts. And, of course, he should be able to give you the lengths and dimensions of everything you need to replace.

His website is at http://www.geocities.com/g_catmultihulls/misc/maytheforcebewithyou.html
You can find further contact information there.

Eddy- I'd be interested in seeing a picture of the (whole) top of the hull. I'm curious to find out if you have a Mk I hull or a Mk II hull. The MK Is are very hard to find, and the lack of a deck-lip makes them much more pleasant to trapeze from.

Also, my advice on going to West Marine was to make your own wires for less money than you can order them. If you have the lengths of the wires (eye-to-eye length), you can just make your own as close as possible, right in the store. It's not hard to do at all, and the employees would probably even show you how to do it.

You could even use "rope". I'm not sure that it would be cheaper or easier, but there is line out now that is strong and low-stretch enough to be used as standing rigging. Vectran or Technora or something like that.... but you'd have to learn to do eye-splices with it. A big plus is that its much lighter than the wires it would replace.

I think this pic may help.

Mary,
Ive tried to get in touch with Hans for the lengths for litterally months. Ive talked to a few people, and he seems to be all over the place. BUT, he is someone who has the info i need, so ill keep trying. Thank you.

I WANNA GO SAILING SO BAD!


E

I'm sailing with Hans today. I will ask him about stock stay lengths for a 5.0. If you still have troubles, contact Stu Smith at Ellie's Sailing Shop in Clearwater. He can make custom rigging for less than $20 each if you use thimble ends. He can make or fix anything. He probably has the lenghts but we have some 5.0's here to copy if he doesn't. Write me offline.

I do believe that is a G-Cat 5.0 MkI. Please don't toss this boat in the dump, it's a very rare find and they're good boats. I you weren't so far away (I'm in FL) I'd come help you fix your boat up. If you feel like hauling it to FL sometime...

David Parker- please ask Hans what the best way is to replace the deck boards on the 5.0 MK Is. I believe marine plywood can be used.

I'll head to the beach this weekend and take some pictures and measurements of the 5.0s that are there and post them next week.

Didn't David Mosely send you a rigging diagram?

Well, Good i wont dump it. Ill ask my dad for a stay of execution! (with a copy of your post im sure he will be linient)

David did send me a rigging diagram, the origional actually and it has been very helpful with someof the other parts i needed.

But it does lack lengths for any of the stays.

Im going to put all this info up on a website once i get it all together, everyone ive talked to with a G-Cat is gaga for it, but there doesnt seem to be a lot of info floating around. I figure scans of the manuals david sent could really help someone along eventually.

Thanks again y'all

Eddie

Well, my friend packed all but one of his 5.0s away for Hurricane Charlie and hasn't bothered to bring them back out. The one he has on the beach is a rental model with a shorter mast, so the shroud lengths won't work for you.

Sorry Maybe Hans will be better help.

that doesnt look like my '81 G-Cat 5.0 It had a lip, but no "insert" in the top of the hull like this one appears to have.
Jeep, I can get those measurements, but it will be later this month when I see that boat again.
I think I will make a website devoted strictly to the G-Cat line, including the rigging manual I sent you, and the line lengths, shroud lengths and other important info. I also thin you need to see the way we run our jib sheets and barber haulers. Makes handling the sails much easier. Look for it soon at www.seacats.org

David Mosley
F18 on the way(supposedly in truch headed east

Dave,

He has a MK I G-Cat, the original model was made with one-piece hulls (actually, I believe there is a seem along the keel that is glassed over) and deck-sections for the top. It was the first catamaran to be built this way.

I'm coming to NC Sept. 3rd-6th and could possibly meet up with you. I've found all my G-Cat literature which illustrates how the jibsheets and barber-hauler are routed, how the rigging is attached, etc. However, it's larger than 8.5x11 legal-sized paper, so scanning is a bit of an issue. I can give you copies of everything but the "construction manual", but if you have a way to copy or scan it, I could bring it as well.

I will be in Nashville that weekend, back Sunday afternoon in Columbia. Come go sailing with us!

David

LoL, I might even bring a Nacra 17 Isn't there another hurricane coming your way?

What a bummer about the lengths... David, did you get a chance to check on that for me it would be a huge help.

I am resolved to get my boat on th water this weekend. Even if i have to hold the mast up by hand

My boat is kept about 3 hours from the nearest west marine, so if i dont have the lengths, or get go go to my boat to triangulate the estimated shroud length, is there any way i could make them on my own at my camp? We have a pretty good assortment of tools down there.

How viable of an option is using the new high performance line?

Thanks so much,
Eddie

The high performance line would be more expensive and require extensive maintenance when compared to steel cable. You COULD make the cables on site but you will need a good crimp tool - don't go cheap on the crimp tool.

If you have a good swaging tool, you can certainly make them on site. I like doing it at west marine because they have a bench swager. The big hand swager works good too though. Mke sure you use 2 thimbles on your swage. And double swage each thimble.
psycho, yeah there is another Hurricane heading this way, will be here when you are here, have fun. I Hope my plane can fly out early enough friday to miss it, or I may be around. I guess the good part is we will have plenty of wind!

David

You'll be clear. At the earliest we will begin to be affected early Sunday morning. This one's going to be a monster.

I spoke with Hans on Friday. Coincidentally, he was sailiing a beautiful older 5.0. I'm sorry I didn''t get detailed photos. He told me that you should contact him and he will provide all the GCat specs you might need. Go to G-Cat Multihulls to find contact info. E-mail or call him on the phone! He is a very approachable fellow with true stories and wisdom that will keep you entranced for hours! And if you race him he'll quietly and efficiently kick your butt, and probalby on a 20 year old boat. I'd like to see a Geisler-Roberts (GCat-SuperCat) shoot out. Yeah, that's one Pay Per View I'd shell out the bucks for!!

http://www.g-catmultihulls.com/

I just got off the phone with hans. He was able to quickly give me the lengths i needed, and we had a nice chat. Hes a nice guy (even thought i think he might screen his calls, but once i mentioned i takled to David Parker he answered off his answering machine . This would explain why he never took my calls before haha.)

But again, thanks so much, you guys are a great resource to a new cat sailor like me.

Eddie

Ok so now we have taken the 180 turn from disposal to restoration.. I realize i should share the info i got from Hans.

Pin to Pin legths
Shroud - 19'7"
Forestay - 18'5/8"
bridles - 40"

he reccomended using 8" wire diameter and said something about 1x19 standard (but im not really sure what that means)

Cheers!
Eddie

1X19 means that it is 1 cable made from 19 individual strands. See more at:

www.bosunsupplies.com

Eddie, get that boat together and plan a vacation for October 2-3rd. Outback Cup, 2 G-Cat 5.0s and a G-Force 21 are expected.
SEACATS Webpage for more details

David

Eddie, there's a GCat 5.0 for sale on EBay and it's kinda close to you (Connecticut). Maybe you could look at it for hints or buy it for a spare.

Link to EBay GCat

Thanks for the tip. Im checking it out, and depending on how high it goes ill def be in the running on that boat.

Well, after all this,I had my boat on the water Sunday and Monday this week. Super low wind, maybe 5. i had about 3 gusts of probably 8 which was really nice. I had a ton of fun, and my whole family (Dad, step mom, brother and sister) and my girlfriend had never been sailing before so i got to take them all out in the calm, and float around for a bit. they all loved it!

Per usual this has given me many many more questions, but im going to focus on the fun for a while and not harrass you guys anymore (for a while at least ) and get some pics of it up. Its a pretty old boat, in not the best of shape... but we had a great time, and i cant wait to really get it dialed in and figured out.

Im going to put up some pics on my site so you guys can see.
Thanks so much,
Eddie

Labor day weekend I decided come hell or high water I was going to sail my boat. Even if i meant holding the mast up by hand, and using a pillow as a sail.

I got all the docs together that everyone has sent me and printed off all the posts so far and figured out what i thought i needed, and started the long drive up to maine (where our lake and the boat is) with my girlfriend.

I found a west marine about 2 hours into the trip in Portland Maine and went in, met some nice guys, and got to work. I got blocks, line, and other fun stuff, and even made the shrouds with my girlfriend even though i didnt really know what i was doing and they werent allowed to help. But I think they came out ok. 3 hours later we were ready to check out.

Back on the road, after about another hour it dawned on me, that maybe, when i had brought the boat up to maine with all the equip I had accidentally left the rudders in NH (why you might ask? I have no idea.). I called my parent at the lake and they looked around and didnt call me back so i figured i was in for it.

That night i got to the camp and there were no rudders to be found. I talked my dad into helping me rig the boat the next morning so at least other than rudders i could find what i needed for the future.

The next morning, while wallowing in my own idiocy, my dad said "hey why dont i try to make you some rudders? Ill run to the store and get some wood, and then at least you can sail!" Well my dad has never been on a sailboat before and bareley even seen one, but hey, he wanted to help me out, so i said yes!

He was going to go to the hardware store (about 45 mins away) but we looked inside and found a perfect peice of wood in the shed!

He got to work:



he ever routed the edges to make it more aerodynamic!



so i stepped the mast and we were both shocked at how high it was! My brother and I started trying to figure out the rigging:



Then we attached his rudders, and launched the boat!



There wasnt very much wind at all, but enough for me to putt putt around our cove.

(btw im going wing on wing there, do you do that on a cat?)

So there were some issues with my boat. My sails are a little patchy and have some issues, so i wanted to get new ones, but found a deal on ebay, and got a whole 'nother gcat! Now I have 2! I just have to go pick this one up!
[img]http://www.edwardaten.com/boat/newcat.jpg[/img]

Thanks so much for your help!

Eddie

Awesome work! Very cool that you went out and made some rudders to tool around with in light air. Also very cool that you bought another G-Cat- a 5.0 MkII no less. I'd be interested in hearing your comparison between the MkI and MkII when you've had more time sailing them.

In very light winds, going wing-and-wind is perfectly acceptable. My only "critique" is that you're sitting too far aft. You want to be sitting up by the mast beam to help balance the boat- the transoms should never be in the water (especially the case on a GCat with their tiny transoms). Investing in a telescoping tiller (Arriba Hot-stick or similar) will help a lot with positioning yourself on the boat, especially when you install a trapeze system and find youself trapezing ahead of the mast.

I got the boat working, but the huge ding in the mast is dangerous. I cant get either boat in and out at the launch so im selling the the MKII and trying to find somewhere to dump the MKI. The MKI is in tough shape, but the MKII is great and sailable. But the MKI cant stick around any longer. But if anyone wants it... its free. Or if you want to buy the MKII with trailer... PM me.

What is it with you Dan? Are you some sort of sick monohull sailor that hates catamarans or something? Take some deep breaths and have a lay down next time this sick urge creeps up on you!

Locking my boat away

paul

Hey, Anybody in Northern California with a Hobe 14 or 16 Hull they need to get rid of let me know, I want to make a shelf for my house out of one. I'd also like to have the front 18 inches of a Hobie 14, both hulls, for a wall display, I want to do my living room in "Modern Catamaran"!!!!! I might be able to pay for shipping for the 14 Hull tips if it's not too steep, I can't afford to pay shipping for a full hull, but I have my boat's trailer and could probably pick up one hull in the I-5 corridor (Chico area included) north of Willows. Soft Hulls don't matter because they'll be hung on my wall, not sailed. Thanks.