My sons are now old enough such that I think its time to get them into sailing and was looking at getting a beach cat.
There is a 14" caper cat for sale near me for $1500. I'll view it during the week but the seller tells me the hulls, sails and trailer are all in very good condition, although its about 20 years old.
I really like the concept of a caper cat with its storage for camping etc, but can't find any others for sale to compare it to. Do you think this is a reasonable deal and a good choice for me and my early teenage sons?
Bear in mind that these are not a performance boat, but as you point out with the huge storage in them they are a great weekend away camping boat.
For $1500 it would need to be near perfect in every way. Be sure to see it rigged in the yard before handing over any dollars even better would be to take it for a lengthy sail and at the end see if any water comes out of the hulls.
If you can't get to take it out for a sail then at the very least attach a bit of hose to the rear drain plug and blow while having an assistant pour soapy water over any area that could be suspect of leaking, paying particular attention to the hull to deck join seam.
Harry
Cheers Harry, Will do.
I'm glad I asked before looking at it, thanks for that.
Yes at this stage I'm only after a cat for family entertainment, although that said I'd love to get a Nacra, but the fun police won't allow that sort of investment. ;)
That vid does look good. I've got my gopro ready for action once I get the cat. I'll just have to take it off my quadcopter first. ;)
ok the calypso caper 14" wasn't so good, but now there are 2 more options available near me.
A much better looking calypso 14" and a timber hulled mosquito. The calypso 14 has been sailed regularly(unlike the caper 14" which looks like its been sitting in a paddock for a few years) and kept under cover and the mosquito has just been reconditioned so I don't know what its like under the paint.
I assume the mosquito at 16" will out perform the calypso and has good clubs here in SA, but I'm only getting it to get the sons away from their Xboxes.
Any advice on these 2? they're similarly priced although the mosquito is a bit cheaper. I'm just a bit concerned what the timber hulls will be like under the paint.
Mosquitos are good fun and cheap to had if you can find a good one. Dont be affraid of Nacras, infact probably even the most exciting boat I ever owned. Boomless and pretty safe in that regard. I purchased the boat from a dealer secondhand and still sold it for the same money or very close to it. Perfect for Adelaide waters, gulfs, lake alexandrina, coorong. Not as forgiving as most and yes I beaked it quite a bit, you dont have to sail with it hardened up though. Not a bad investment in my eyes.
As you are in SA, put on your wish list a Stingray. SA is the last stronghold of the Stingray, they are a brilliant boat, go like the clappers or docile as a mouse, plus they have big carrying capacity. At 18' it's only 2' longer than a Mozzie but built much more robustly and I know this as I have built both a Mozzie and a Stingray. Go and point your browser at http://catsailor.net/forums/forum.php, totally great bunch of blokes (just like here) and also very helpfull. Oooh, I almost forgot, consider also a Cobra.
Thanks for that Ramona, AB & LC!!
I tried to join the catsailor forum, but never received the email to verify my login details. I have since emailed the admin there, but still not heard back. I can see their for sale section, but none of the photos. :( They might not have liked the fact I put "landyacht" when they asked what type of cat I have. :)
