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Windrider Trimarans?

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(@Anonymous 38725)
Posts: 5859
Topic starter
 
[#30983]

I've seen several showing up at the Sarasota regattas, I don't know much about them but it looks like there are (at least) two models, the 16 for solo (mainsail only) and the 17 for two up (with jib, and can you add a screecher?).

I've seen a few used ones online for anywhere from $1,100 for the 16 to $6,000 for the 17.

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/cgi... iew_records=1&sb=date&so=descend

My question is, what is the

Racing

class? The 16 or the 17? Do they race one design or are there just a bunch of different configurations/models all racing on handicap?

I'm looking for something I can leave on my beach, jump into with the dogs and go. Not looking to win a regatta, but I might show up for the beer.

I was looking at the Hobie Tandem Adventure Islanders but they are more expensive than the Windriders and have less room for dogs! Oh, and no racing fleets.


 
Posted : February 16, 2016 10:12 am
(@catman)
Posts: 1600
Master Chief Registered
 

Sailed both and like the 17 better. Faster w/jib and drier. Looks like they had a class,just doesn't say what model, https://sarasotasailingsquadron.org/activities/sailing/racingevents/invitational-regattas/buzzelli/

If you look for one check the keel/skeg for wear. The local guy that rents them epoxys stainless strips to that area so they don't wear thru.


 
Posted : February 16, 2016 10:45 am
(@Anonymous 38725)
Posts: 5859
Topic starter
 

Sounds like a good idea, the stainless strip protection thing. So there's a guy renting them in Dunedin, or where? I'd like to take a test drive (with the dog) before I blow some dough.

Thanks!


 
Posted : February 16, 2016 1:01 pm
(@terryback)
Posts: 1209
Member
 

Go Pete Go has one


 
Posted : February 16, 2016 2:10 pm
(@_removed-account)
Posts: 15030
Four Star Admiral Registered
 

Glen is the owner/operator at SailHoneymoon (the rental shack on the dunedin causeway)

he sells them too

they are a hoot in a blow but they are very different than cat sailing

[Linked Image]


 
Posted : February 16, 2016 3:03 pm
(@Anonymous 38725)
Posts: 5859
Topic starter
 
Originally Posted by tback
Go Pete Go has one

I thought he had a Weta tri?

Did he switch to a Windrider, or does he have both?


 
Posted : February 16, 2016 4:27 pm
(@_removed-account)
Posts: 15030
Four Star Admiral Registered
 

I met the designer of the windrider a few years ago at the Ceder Key Small Boat Fest.

He was incredibly nice older man. He was nearly blind, and walking around

feeling up the boats

and taking pictures of all the boats he was interested in. His (very adult) son explained when he got home he would blow them up HUGE on his Giant TV and explore every weld, bolt, line, block, etc.. this way..

the festival was FULL of guys who spent years hand crafting the slowest moving boats you could imagine. every flavor. from wooder shunting rafts, to toothpick rowboats.

They kept yelling at us too pull out our

whompers

and

FLY a Pontoon

at us (it was blowing about 6 in 14

of water). It was a nice weekend in

old school touristy florida

the waters were incredibly beautiful ... natural.. .

skinny water"

they later wrote us up as the f-18's (I had a used f-18 sail that weekend on my mystere 5.5. my friend had a customized mystere 6.0)


 
Posted : February 16, 2016 5:39 pm
(@Anonymous 39549)
Posts: 369
 

Timbo. you should have come over to the Charlotte Harbor Regatta, there was a fleet here.

But just to give you a hard time, there was also a small fleet of F16's.


 
Posted : February 16, 2016 6:51 pm
(@catman)
Posts: 1600
Master Chief Registered
 

I was at Sail Honeymoon this afternoon and asked, he does have a 17 for sale. $2000 no trailer.727-734-0392 Glen.


 
Posted : February 16, 2016 6:52 pm
(@Anonymous 38725)
Posts: 5859
Topic starter
 

Hey Jack, I wanted to come over for that but I was working.

Catman, thanks for the heads up!


 
Posted : February 16, 2016 7:43 pm
(@edgarapoe)
Posts: 3222
Member
 

I am wondering why these classes don't come to the Tradewinds. The Weta class has started attending.., not in big numbers, but it is a start.
Rick


 
Posted : February 17, 2016 6:35 am
(@Anonymous 37749)
Posts: 487
 

What is it like when you dump one of these boats?

Can you pitchpole them?


 
Posted : February 20, 2016 12:29 am
(@stank)
Posts: 5061
One Star Admiral Registered
 

are those boats beach-wheel launched?


 
Posted : February 22, 2016 2:24 pm
(@_removed-account)
Posts: 15030
Four Star Admiral Registered
 

I haven't see one flip in the 15 years i have sailed in Dunedin (where they rent them)

Originally Posted by Jeff Peterson
What is it like when you dump one of these boats?

Can you pitchpole them?


 
Posted : February 23, 2016 10:33 am
(@_removed-account)
Posts: 15030
Four Star Admiral Registered
 

no
pushed in via trailer or just dragged down the beach
http://www.windrider.com/catalog/category/view/s/windrider-17/id/1482/

Originally Posted by waterbug_wpb
are those boats beach-wheel launched?

 
Posted : February 23, 2016 10:33 am
(@stank)
Posts: 5061
One Star Admiral Registered
 

That may be why they don't show up at T-winds... Not being beach launched can prove difficult in terms of finding ramps, etc.

Sad, as it is such a nice event, but certainly understandable that they wish to remain beach-cat only type event.


 
Posted : February 24, 2016 10:01 am
(@_removed-account)
Posts: 15030
Four Star Admiral Registered
 

They can be beach launched,

but I had never seen wheels or dolly used
I did a search online and couldn't find any *(UNTIL THIS MORNING)

http://www.castlecraft.com/windrider_dolly.htm


 
Posted : February 24, 2016 10:05 am
(@_removed-account)
Posts: 15030
Four Star Admiral Registered
 

Oh, this is why i have never seen them used

Windrider Dolly is 1195.00 + FREE Shipping (48 USA)


 
Posted : February 24, 2016 10:10 am
(@stank)
Posts: 5061
One Star Admiral Registered
 

hey, so free shipping, right? <img src="<>/smile.gif" alt="smile" title="smile" height="15" width="15" />

But that would be worth it's weight in gold for the Everglades Challenge...


 
Posted : February 24, 2016 10:51 am
(@_removed-account)
Posts: 15030
Four Star Admiral Registered
 

it seems it almost costs it's weight in gold


 
Posted : February 24, 2016 12:29 pm
(@stank)
Posts: 5061
One Star Admiral Registered
 

Ha! I said the same thing when they delivered my set of RBS battens <img src="<>/smile.gif" alt="smile" title="smile" height="15" width="15" />


 
Posted : February 25, 2016 11:24 am
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