After sailing very actively (including a bit of racing) until my late teens, I took a sabbatical from it for several decades until just a year ago. The bug has bitten again, and I've got to get into Cat sailing again. Things have changed a lot since my Prindle 16.
Dilemma: What the heck to get.
I do think that any part of the family will be very willing to crew for racing, and there will be times when we'll have a pile of three or four onboard for a casual cruise. I believe a class boat is a smart direction, and I leaned heavily towards the F18 class for a while, but I like the idea of a nimble F16. Either way, finding a used boat that's newer (> 2008) seems like an impossible task, and a new boat seems expensive. Maybe I'm just living back in the Prindle price days.
Obvious answers are welcome, as I've seem to have dug myself a hole. I know this is in the F16 section, so my preference is clear, but a course correction is welcome if needed. Is the F16 machine also hiding as a fun cruiser for more than two?
Family cruiser? I don't know why not.
The coolest thing I've ever done is sail the Blade solo under spinnaker. You'll have to experience it for yourself...
I was very much in the same situation (dare I say
boat
) as you. When my kids were small, they didn't like the boat and we couldn't leave them on the beach alone, so the boat sat in the garage for two years before I finally gave up and sold it (this was a Laser II.) Now that the kids are out of the house, I have gotten back into sailing. I assumed I would be sailing small monohulls again, but I got bit by the cat bug. Now back on subject.
You are right that there are precious few used F16s on the market. Any boat newer than 2007 that you find is not going to be cheep. (I see on this very site, there is a 2009 Viper for $17,500.) I managed to find a 2001 Taipan with F16 upgrade and even that cost $7000 (with trailer, cat wheels, et al.)
Also, keep in mind there is a reason why the F16 is rated the fastest 16 foot boat in USPN, Texel, and SCHRS (probably all,) rating systems and it isn't because it makes a great family cruiser. For family cruising, I use a Getaway. With the 16, I'm only willing to take one person at a time.
I inquired about the Viper... already gone.
Where are you located? Are there active cat/F16 racing fleets near you? If there's a fleet/club not to far, you might want to show up, talk to some of the racers, see what they've got, see what you like.
It's hard to find a 'one size fits all' racing boat, the racing boats are designed to go fast, at a certain all up weight. I'm not saying you can't load up an F16 with 4 people, but two of them had better be little kids. Then there's the dagger board issue, ie. if you're going 'cruising' you don't want to be having to worry about hitting bottom, with your 'racing boards' ($400 each to replace).
I found an old Prindle Escape for $500, wich is what I use for 'play time' with the kids, the dogs, who ever wants a ride, etc. but the Blade is just for racing.
If I can ever get a lake house, there's going to be a Getaway on that beach. I heard someone describe it as a pontoon boat with sails. Perfect analogy, and perfect for cruising. Hell, its got built in coolers! What more do you want?
I've got a demo boat available.
I'm in NC, about 1.5 hours from the coast, and not sure that there's an F16 fleet anywhere near me (maybe Charleston? 3 hours away). Don't know of anything active in the Wilmington/Myrtle Beach area.
All really good points. Maybe I need to pipe down a bit, and spend less on an older F18 boat or something skegged, get the feet wet, and trade up later.
It's really tough playing catch-up after decades off the water.
Well...if there's not a racing fleet close to you, you may want to get something a little more -family oriented- until as you said, you get your feet wet, then see how often the wife and kids (or friends, or what ever) actually go out with you, then decide later if you want to get into racing, and need to spend the big bucks (relative to a used Prindle) to get a racing cat.
How close are you to Lake Norman? You might find some sailors there....might not be cat sailors, maybe Flying Scotts, but hey, it's a good familiy platform with room for a cooler and a spinnaker!
Not sure where you are in NC but I'm in the midlands of SC and sail a Viper. There are 3-4 of us on F16s that race around this area NC, SC, GA. We have a range of boats, A Cats, F18s, N20s, etc...I'll be in the Outer Banks second week in June for a little race if you're anywhere in the area come take a ride!
Mac m, that's very encouraging! I'm about 90 miles or so from you in the thriving metropolis of Laurinburg, NC. I've looked at Lake Murray as a potential sail spot.
If anyone knows of any other online/offline for-sale ads (other than catsailor and thebeachcats), for multihulls, I would be much obliged.
We have raced at Murray before and hope to go back. There are some guys in the Raleigh, NC area that race with us too. There is racing to be had all around you!