Solcat 18 mast

if i were you i'd start by posting about 10 pics of the mast so people know what you are talking about as far as commonality with other masts and those with experience in mast repair have a better idea of how bad it is

almost as important is saying where you are in the world as even if you find a mast for free if it isn7t withing a few hundred miles of your house transportation is going to difficult

i think andinista in chile faced a similar situation with his nacra 5.0 and was able to use some kind of alloy extrusion that was available locally with his own mast base

i know little about sailing or cat sailing but i assume a good start would be to look for a hobie 16 mast on hobie forums. as the 2nd most produced boat in the world there are probably more of those masts/sails around than anything else and more people who know about them

my own strategy would be to

1 - repair what i have to get sailing
2 - start asking about hobie 16 masts on hobie forums. you may be told that a hobie 17/18 mast is available and would do
3 - keep digging for a solcat mast

Where are you located?

Dave

Hey Guys, I'm located in Delaware. I recently found someone with a mast for a Solcat 18 in California. $200 for the mast, and $100 shipping from one major airport to another, so I have to drive 2 hrs up to Philly, or over to BWI to pick it up...so I'm thinking thats not too bad.

OK, sorry about the double post. I remembered I had some pictures on my camera at work.
Here's an overhead shot of the boat, and you can see the severe bend and deformation in the mast...

here are two shots up close and personal with the mast...


ALSO, I noticed the tack plate on the jib, and the head of the main are coming off. The rivets have been eaten out. Can I just re-rivet these? Should I take the sails to a sailmaker to get them repaired? Thanks!

Pics of the jib tack...

a replacement mast for 300 sounds good to me but keep the mast as it looks repairable, but would always be either weak or heavy...

if you can get those alloy plates off the sail to clean the corrosion off and paint? them it would be good

i'd imagine you could re-rivet them yourself, with stainless steel rivets, or even small, shortened stainless bolts. if you rivet you may want to use some stainless washers for the rivet to pull against if the alloy looks too weak

if the rivet tails stick out too much i'd try building up a little dome of plastic over them with a plastic glue gun

i would bring the jib to a sail shop and replace the entire plate with a bigger plate.. Its not an expensive repair and if you ever get hit with real big wind...it could save your boat (or life).

Yeah, take that sail to a sail maker and get him to fix it. Also 300 for a mast is a good deal. You don't happen to know of any other old Solcats around do you?

There's a guy in Iowa (Des Moines) with a mastless SolCat he's selling off for parts, I found that one on craigslist. There's a couple of others I found, some in texas I think. My buddy in Delaware has one, but at the moment he's fairly attached to it. If you look around for a while, you can probably find 1/2 a dozen or so scattered around.

florida
http://tampabay.kijiji.com/c-Cars-vehicles-Boats-Sol-Cat-18-W0QQAdIdZ28566020

arizona
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/boa/490653079.html

I just have a friend who is looking for a cheap cat that can keep up somewhat with my 5.2, and from what I hear an old sol cat in good shape might be a decent choice.

Can you tell us about how the mast gets transported by air at such a low price? I have a supercat mast that would be much more saleable if it could be transported that cheaply. Thanks!

Dave 509 276 6355

I'm not sure about the details yet, but apparently it's being shipped through a company called Forward Air. I believe they have offices/warehouses at most major airports. You have to drop off and pick up the mast at or near the airport.

Once you know the details, if you'd get a hold of me I'd be most grateful. Thanks!

dave 509 276 6355

dave, check this out then ask the guy

http://www.cat-alist.com/tobuysell/tobuysell.shtml

Thanks Eric, I'll check it out!

dave

Catamaran-SolCat 18 - $2000

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Reply to: sale-490653079@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-11-26, 10:22PM MST

SolCat 18, Yellow hulls, completly rebuilt and ready for the water this weekend.email for details.
new batten caps
new dolphin striker
newer hobie 18 main
all new lines
new 7 to 1 main sheet system
new 7-1 downhall
mast rotation
new rebuilt tiller system with hobie 20 quick release
new harkin rear traveler and track
new tramp with 2 zip pouches
new rudder kick up bungees and releases
new mainstays
new double trapeez with zigzag under tramp bungee system
double 10" sail tubes
PVC dock system
new tires wheels and berrings
new tail lights
I single hand this cat al the time. Easy to rig and run.
selling because I got a nacra 5.7
this boat is my baby, just ask my wife.

For the price, You can't build a cat this nice.