Contemplating a second boat.

remember, you'll have to allocate the same $$$ you spend on boat #2 to your better half... so pick the cheap one <img src="<>/smile.gif" alt="smile" title="smile" height="15" width="15" />

It's an unwritten rule that, when violated, will result in extreme peril. Don't ask me how I know. <img src="<>/frown.gif" alt="frown" title="frown" height="15" width="15" />

I heard there will be a few nice cats for sale in the San Francisco area in about a month from now <img src="<>/laugh.gif" alt="laugh" title="laugh" height="15" width="15" />

Not very good single handers though.

Ellen McArthur sailed a 75' Tri around the world alone.

I'm sure you can handle a little boat like that all by yourself, on an inland lake of course!

As far as the A cat thing, I've been thinking the same, but can't afford a new -anything- for a few years.

Any of you A cat boys want to swap your slightly used A cat for a slightly used F16? Maybe just for a day?

Karl, there are some insane deals on A Cats right now if you can set aside the newest platforms. Cutting edge rather than bleeding edge. Keep in mind that there are some new A Cat rules developments in the near future that should play into your choice. Happy shopping, Commodore.

A cats were/are changing so fast lately, I decided that I wasn't going to be able to keep up on the equipment level and I wasn't going to be happy with what I had sailing against the level I was trying to. My older boat (a boyer) was still pretty darn competitive on lakes.

That's the truth, Jake - every year, you can count on some design step forward. However, it sounds like the Class leadership is taking that element into account and seeking a way to mitigate it for sailors wanting to try their hand in the Class.

Is that kind of like a

B

fleet , or a

Development

fleet?

Karl,

DnA is now the benchmark, like the flyer was 8-10 years ago. It's a great class if you like to improve your boat,if you're looking for one design this ain't it. I'm taking the opposite course Jake did (imagine that) and trying to sell my F-18 to focus on the A. Lack of local crew, lack of distance races, and ease of setup of the A were my reasons. At your size you have the pick of just about any of them. Get up with me if you want anymore info.

p.s. Get it soon and practice, NA's will be on the Outer Banks of NC ( my home) next year.

Still is doing pretty well.

Wave...

I'd like to see a bunch of a-cats go through the surf at Hatteras:P

Hi Jay -

While the As were sailing here last month, there was talk of a second fleet within the Class for

obsolete

boats and beginner skippers. In addition, there was talk of eliminating the rule requiring the boards to be removable from the topside. That opens the door for T- and L-foils, and also makes the A3 a good platform again. Decisions may be made during the next Worlds.

I always liked the development aspect of the A. I'm just not the right size or shape for the boat.

A-3 has never gone out of fashion, it's what Lars Guck sails and generally dominates North America with. Dubs, as far as your size and shape, you're a lot better suited to an A than me or any number of other big guys. That's another good thing about a development class you change the boat to suit your requirements.

please god.... not a B fleet...

The aussies have it figured... the class races A class by handicap with three ratings. You CAN'T SPLIT A FLEET unless you have huge numbers.... EG. Hobie 16's back in the day..

The Wave qualifies as an A Class and has more regattas

Uh.... what is the

right size and shape

for the boat? I thought skinny little studs with big hair did well on light boats?

That's not big hair, it's a small hooter...

Mike

You can be light OR short... not both, IMO. I weigh in (normally) at 130-135 lbs. That pretty light for the boat, even with a shorter mast and flatter main. Tall people that weigh about the same (like Pease Glaser) can kill it in light to medium/flat conditions, and survive when the breeze comes up with the longer levers for righting moment. I'm light AND short - fact of life. San Francisco Bay on the front of a Hobie 16? I'm your man. Crewing the Nacra 17 with a cute(r) blonde on the back in anything over 10 knots? Not the right place for me - I become a liability on the beat.

One of the reasons I love multihull sailing; lots of options. I've been lucky to sail with a lot of different people on a lot of different boats. I know where my size is an asset and when it isn't. It has inevitably been a frank conversation with many skippers over the years.

If there is a B Fleet that evolves within the A Class, that may be a place I can play, but I don't ever expect to be a champion on that boat. Regardless, it will be the members of that Class that make that decision. Not teh internets.

I guess if you have your sights set on being the World Champion you're right. You're probably also lacking a professional career in sailmaking. Here's a good interview with Arno Terra (DnA)where he states his thoughts on foiling rule changes among other things.
Arno Interview

Thank GOD!

Go to usaca.info and look at what is available.

And this would be a good value. http://usaca.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=627:2005-a3&catid=7:a-class-catamarans-for-sale&Itemid=20

At least you're honest with yourself, which I suspect leads to more enjoyment of the sport for you.

Given your experience, what's a good platform for a tall dude slowly sliding out of shape? And can you install a gimbaled cup-holder on it?

For you Jay? A Wave! It's already got cup holders!

But Leah is still going to kick your azz!

PS, if the Wave had a trapeze and a spinnaker, I'd have one already.

This doesn't cut it?

J/22? 🙂

Jay, Dave may his his (or someone else's) tongue firmly in cheek, but he's not wrong. At my Club, there are several active fleets, including multihulls. Pick what looks like fun and fits your priorities. IF the time comes for me to set aside catamarans, the local Lido 14 Fleet is very active, very social, lots of guy/girl teams, VERY tight racing, and economical. Options abound. 🙂

You read me like a book Williams and this time it was aimed at Jake. I'm not gonna lie it does look like he's having fun on his little leaner. If you're gonna do handicap might as well do it on a boat where you can keep your beer cold and your sandwiches dry.

The problem with keel boats in Florida is, it's too damned shallow getting into/out of most bays. Great for up nawth, where the water is deep (and cold, even in August!), but not so good in Florida, certainly not in the Naples area where Jay lives.

When I was living in Miami, crewing for Ed Cabassa on his black J24 named

Sambo

(1985-6), we would sometimes run aground in the middle of Biscayne Bay on a low tide!

Yes, it was usually on the berms at the edge of the channel, but still, less than 4' of water, in the middle of the bay??!! I think the entire bay is only about 10' deep, or less in most spots.

Dredging is pretty much non-existant in this area so 4' draft is max. and even then you need to stay in the middle of most channels.