Have you guys realized this is Dave pretending to be a lady? Have you not watched any PI tv lately? The internet is full of phonies!!!!
Wendy/Guys:
Well I found me a boat.
http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules...
Going to Slip tp Ship races Memorail weekend to get it. Good luck in your search Wendy. Let me know what you find.
Doug Snell
Hobie 17
Soon to be Mystere 4.3
www.tcdyc.com
My recommendations:
Hobie-17 - cheap, robust, may still be good pockets of one-design, singlehanding but can take crew. Maybe a little heavy but as stated before technique helps.
Mystere 4.3 - you've heard all about that. Sounds like some good deals and people around your area.
Taipan 4.9 - lots of same reasons as the 4.3, but fewer around for one-design.
Wave - great fun starter boat, may get boring.
Hobie 14 - cheap, robust, great fun boat, good skill enforcer, light, can have in uni or sloop. Some pockets of one-design. Even when you move on to another you might keep it for fun.
For your money the 4.9 may be harder to find. I really like the 4.9 as a boat for all seasons and reasons, but their numbers are small in the U.S. so far. Hobie 17 would be a good choice starting out.
Thanks Keith,
I went out on an H16 this past weekend with Cary Palmer. It was really light air so I didn't get the full picture. I helped him step the mast and I was able hold the mast over my head while he jumped up on the tramp to take it from me. I am not sure if I could have walked it all the way up or not but I think I could have with some effort. (really not sure) I would have to try it to be certain. We pulled it up on a carpeted dock easily but I didn't do it alone. It really didn't seem unmanageble to me. I need some more experience with it. I will let the lake warm up a bit before I ask someone to knock their boat over for me. That is what I am really curious about.
How is the H17 different?
Wendy:
17 just has a different setup for pin and mast goes up sideways. I am 210 and have never really tried it alone. I have just made it a deal to NEVER sail alone. It is VERY dangerous, so there is always someone to help you raise the mast. 17 is a fun boat. WHATEVER one you get I would get a righting pole setup up from Rick White. Where are you located? I am going boat at Ocean Springs May 28-29 if you want to see a 4.3,
Doug Snell
www.tcdyc.com
Where is Ocean Springs?
I went out on an H16 this past weekend with Cary Palmer. It was really light air so I didn't get the full picture. I helped him step the mast and I was able hold the mast over my head while he jumped up on the tramp to take it from me. I am not sure if I could have walked it all the way up or not but I think I could have with some effort. (really not sure) I would have to try it to be certain. We pulled it up on a carpeted dock easily but I didn't do it alone. It really didn't seem unmanageble to me. I need some more experience with it. I will let the lake warm up a bit before I ask someone to knock their boat over for me. That is what I am really curious about.
How is the H17 different?
The 17 is designed to be a single-hander. The original rig has only a main (uni rig). The hull shape is different from the 16, and it has centerboards and hiking wings. There is a sport version that adds a jib, but the uni version is what is raced.
As for raising and lower a mast - you'll find that most boats that is most safely done with two people. However, there are setups that allow the use of the trailer winch to raise the mast on your own.
Actually, another trick on the 4.3 that Jamie Diamond showed me a few years ago at Spring Fever - you can step the 4.3 mast very easily by yourself using the spin halyard. Cool trick on a single-hand boat. 
Photos? Details?
Doug
Doug pretty easy if you think about it.
Tie the head end of the spinnaker halyard to the bridle.
After you get the mast up cleat off the halyard as you would if you were flying the chute. Voila mast up.
Mosey to the front and attach forstay.
Later,
Dan
Dan:
OK sounds easy. I just not have seen the boat yet. So I just have to visualise it. Looking forward to a spinnaker boat to learn on. It will be fun learning experience for me and Ashleigh.
Doug
It works with any spinnaker boat. I used to rig my P-19 the same way...just make sure the spin halyard is tied to something rugged - tongue of trailer, mast stand, or as the OP suggested, the bridle. Once you've pushed the mast up, it's pretty easy to hold it, and you can reach down and pull the spin halyard tight, and cleat it. Easy as falling off a log.
We step our Taipan mast single handed using the spin sheet--works great and very safe. (It's stepped from the front; with the forstay and one side stay attached, the spin sheet is used to tighten and hold the unattached stay.)
Wendy:
You may want to join here if you haven't already:
http:/
Doug Snell
Hobie 17
Soon to be Mystere 4.3
www.tcdyc.com
You may want to join here if you haven't already:
http:/
Doug Snell
Hobie 17
Soon to be Mystere 4.3
www.tcdyc.com
Doug - I think most Mystere sailors moved to a dedicated forum here on Catsailor.com. At least the core group...I am not sure if there's still a lot of activity on the Yahoo forum. I may be wrong.
Thomas:
The Mystere forum is all 6.0's from what I have seen and the Formula 14 is dead. No post in quite a while. The yahoo user group is for 4.3's only though, not for the 6.0's. That is what I have found. Yahoo user group get regular post to it.
Doug
Not true it says Mystere classes.All are welcome and you can throw in the T classic and P18-2 and 19 because of the similarities if you want.I did'nt realize on Yahoo that there is a M4.3 forum ?May I add that about the addition of this site to Catsailor was only to spread the word not kill off the Yahoo site.The appeal is that if you post a question of Catsailor on the Mystere site for instance even somone who once might have owned a Mystere might be able to give assistance.Like wise for any other boat.The Yahoo site is full of info. For Sunny maybe a visit to OCRA may help with the Diamonds and their M4.3 clan. But you are right in that we do not get a lot of Q,s about the 4.3 as the site is new.I am looking into a syndicated cable show called "Your Mystere and You" I think I'd like (Gary Busey ?)to host!
Wendy:
There are a lot of good tips here:
http://mystereowners.org/mystere/
I think you have already been here? Jamie Diamond has also been a lot of help. I have talked to him through the yahoo user group. He has always gotten right back to me.
Doug Snell
Hobie 17
Soon to be Mystere 4.3
www.tcdyc.com
Wendy,
Contact Jamie Diamond about coming up to Bay Week this summer at Put-in-Bay. They usually have a 4.3 fleet for that, and there is camping at the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club. You would love Put-in-Bay. Great event for families.
Mary:
I would love to come, and I may look at it. But 44-48 hours of drivng just doesn't sound like much fun.
Doug
Wendy:
I've been watching from the sidelines and you've been getting some really good advice, except that no one told you about the H-17; it's strictly a racing boat. It does not tack well and you really can't take people out for rides. It's a wonderful boat if you want to race and spend all day hiking off the wings. If you want an all purpose boat, go to the H-16; you'll learn more because of the racers that are all around you.
Wyatt
Wendy:
I have a Hobie 17 and I love it, just old technology. Don't get me wrong it is still fun. I am getting the 4.3 for three reasons. So Ashleigh will have a boat to learn to sail and race with, so I can learn spinnaker and a boat that we can race together competitively. Stick with the 4.3. You got a good deal and will learn a lot from this little boat.
Doug Snell
Hobie 17
Soon to be Mystere 4.3
www.tcdyc.com
I've been watching from the sidelines and you've been getting some really good advice, except that no one told you about the H-17; it's strictly a racing boat. It does not tack well and you really can't take people out for rides. It's a wonderful boat if you want to race and spend all day hiking off the wings. If you want an all purpose boat, go to the H-16; you'll learn more because of the racers that are all around you.
Wyatt
Hey Wyatt,
I think the H17 would be fun too. I do have a friend with an H16 that took me out one day on it. That was the only time I have sailed on one. There was very light wind and we had some mishaps but I did learn a lot because of it. I was happy to have to experience some challenges while someone else was there. I know better how to avoid problems when I am out on my own. Like: take a cell phone in a dry bag. I really liked the H16 and I thought I could have managed it. I am really looking forward to learning on my little Mystere too. I plan to try to hook up on as many boats and with as many skippers as I can. I think I will learn the most that way. This is going to be such a fun summer! 
Wendy:
Nice photo of you. Well we got three boats now. A friend was looking for a sunfish for us a long time ago at Christmas time. His club was trying to get rid of all the old unclaimed boats and he finally got us one. Well Ashleigh has named the boat I HAVE to sail on an boat named "Baby Girl". That should get me some looks when I an on it alone!!!! If your son going to race with you?
Doug Snell
Hobie 17
Soon to be Mystere 4.2
www.tcdyc.com
Yes, My sons do want to learn to sail. The oldest is 15 (16 in June) but big for his age. He is 6ft. 185lbs. He has gone kayaking with me a couple of times. He is learning to dive with me this June as well. His little brother is 11 and all ready nearly as big as me. He wants to learn too. All three of us love to play in water. I am going to have to get them a bigger boat than my little Mystere someday. I am not ready to teach them anything yet but hopefully before the summer is out.
I have a third son who is 13 who doesn't really like water. The rest of us are not sure where he came from. He is the only one of slight build like me. He would make the best sailor. I am going to have to work on that one.
They are with me six days one week and two days the next so we will have plenty of time to learn. Now that they are older they can almost keep up with me.
Wendy,
OCRA has a fleet of M4.3, I think. Their first regatta is at Alum Creek near Columbus (a little closer than Put-in-Bay) the weekend of May 6th and 7th. I am sure you could get some tips from that group, as they have been sailing the M4.3s for years. OCRA is a great group and they would welcome you with open arms! Just a thought.
I know better how to avoid problems when I am out on my own. Like: take a cell phone in a dry bag.
Wendy - This is sometimes a topic for debate, but I would suggest you also invest in a handheld VHF, in a dry bag as well. Reason is a distress call from a VHF can be picked by many boats in the area and help can get there quicker, while a cell phone is only point to point - and the person you called must then find help for you. Also, most VHF radios have weather on them, so you can pick up advisories. Just an idea...
Thanks Keith,
good advice, well taken.
Keith is right about the radio. Anytime I go out sailing during the week I make sure I have a VHF on board. Mine is a submersible ICOM I picked up for less than $100 on sale. There are not that many boats on the water at this time and I feel much better having it, hoping I never have to use it.
Dan