Just wondering if anyone has some advice on a good make/size of cat for a beginner. Im thinking around 14' hobie?, maricat? Something that I can grow into would be good and not looking to spend a fortune...under 5k??
Any help and advice would be great!
A beach cat like a hobie or windrush would be good for a beginner. I own a Windrush 14' (mark 3), they are a good beach cat.
-No centre boards to worry about (asymetrical hulls).
-thick/strong hulls.
-small jib to help prevent getting stuck in irons.
-Cats get babes
-trapeze option
My first boat was a papertiger. It was fast and fun, but had thin weak hulls and leaked like a sieve. Also wasn't great in swells.
Depending on where and depending on conditions. Try to buy something that is being sailed in your local area, that way you have access to a knowledge base regarding your particular class of boat.
I would avoid the Hobie 14 as it is a class that is no longer being produced and has no active class racing. Plus it is not a very buoyant boat, severely limiting extra weight you can carry.
Windrush 14 is a good choice, still being made and a good class association and actively raced all over the country. In that vein, the Maricat 4.3 is exactly the same, good boat still being made and actively raced all over the country.
Lastly, check out www.catsailor.net/ lots of nice people over there that sail beach cats and nothing but.
Where are you based? If in WA the only two entry level Cats being actively sailed are the Hobie 16 and Windrush 14. Windrush will be easier and can be sailed Solo, Hobie is faster has a bigger fleet and are more readily available but generally need a crew.
Forget Hobie 16, not a beginners boat. Yes they go fast, yes they look great, yes they are relatively easy to sail. Now that you know that also know this, they are incredibly difficult boats to sail WELL.
Select to expand quoteLooseChange said..
Forget Hobie 16, not a beginners boat. Yes they go fast, yes they look great, yes they are relatively easy to sail. Now that you know that also know this, they are incredibly difficult boats to sail WELL.
And they are a bitch to right when they go wrong.
Select to expand quotecisco said..LooseChange said..
Forget Hobie 16, not a beginners boat. Yes they go fast, yes they look great, yes they are relatively easy to sail. Now that you know that also know this, they are incredibly difficult boats to sail WELL.
And they are a bitch to right when they go wrong.
Hum............ not really, just need to apply the right technic!
Select to expand quotefelixdcat said..cisco said..LooseChange said..
Forget Hobie 16, not a beginners boat. Yes they go fast, yes they look great, yes they are relatively easy to sail. Now that you know that also know this, they are incredibly difficult boats to sail WELL.
And they are a bitch to right when they go wrong.
Hum............ not really, just need to apply the right technic!
Yes, when your the duty rescue boat driver you have to know where to attach the rope and what direction to tow!
Hobie 16 is actually not that difficult to get back up. Swim the mast tip so the pointy bit of the boat is into the wind, have the righting rope come over the top hull and lean back. The wind under the sail will do most of the work, easy peasy, done it many times.
Of course easy righting applies only if your mast is sealed. If it fills with water you are boned.
Select to expand quoteLooseChange said..
Hobie 16 is actually not that difficult to get back up. Swim the mast tip so the pointy bit of the boat is into the wind, have the righting rope come over the top hull and lean back. The wind under the sail will do most of the work, easy peasy, done it many times.
Recently???
Select to expand quotecisco said..LooseChange said..
Hobie 16 is actually not that difficult to get back up. Swim the mast tip so the pointy bit of the boat is into the wind, have the righting rope come over the top hull and lean back. The wind under the sail will do most of the work, easy peasy, done it many times.
Recently???
Does in the last twelve months count as recent? I don't do it as often as I used to these days, I now have a distinct lack of athleticism for that kind of thing.
Hobie masts are sealed and float.
Select to expand quotecisco said..
^^One of your typically dry responses there Ramona.
Actually I was referring to where you attach the rope and the direction to tow to right the craft. It does look like I said to tow it home! I found that when conditions were fresh the monos would capsize and re right ok, also Windrushes and Maricats, the bloody Hobie 16s needed a tow to get them up!
I was racing a Prindle 16 in this period and had a windsurfer wishbone set up under the tramp that swung out to give extra righting moment. I sailed it cat rigged solo. Far superior boat to a Hobie 16.
Select to expand quotefelixdcat said..cisco said..LooseChange said..
Forget Hobie 16, not a beginners boat. Yes they go fast, yes they look great, yes they are relatively easy to sail. Now that you know that also know this, they are incredibly difficult boats to sail WELL.
And they are a bitch to right when they go wrong.
Hum............ not really, just need to apply the right technic!
I agree, it's not hard to right a 16.
