"POLL" on Cats

I'll give a recommendation, answer these questions.

How much do you weigh?

Where will you be sailing?

How much does each choice cost?

What is the condition of each?

What equipment would you have to buy or repair on each one?

Is there anyone local that owns any of these?

Do you want to race?

What kind of racing?

Who will you race against?

What is your sailing experience?

OK you can pick one and its free,you can sail wherever you want,conditions of boats are equal,don't need know equipment,It's up to you if you want to race or not,whatever kind of racing you prefer,Whom ever you chose to race against,Your sailing experience is whatever it is from a newbie to a 50yr veteran.

Not out to start any arguments but just curious, which do you like better?

Jews or Arabs?
Democrats or Republicans?
Blacks or Whites?
Beer or Wine?
North Carolina or Duke?

Some things just can't be discussed without blood being shed.

Even on April Fools Day. 😀

Good point, but am quite surprized that know one has a view,thought,opinion or mouth.

Hehe you guys are funny. Sorry, I'm a newbie and don't know much about all the different cat's mentioned. But it's funny. 😆

brjonair,
The only answer is none that you have chosen, but the Nacra 5.8NA. End of topic.
NEXT!

We live in a No Nacra County,so i can't put them in the poll.

Ok....first semi-serious answer 😉

H14T -- Never sailed one, but I think this boat would be a pretty
fair single handed cat. Light weight, easy to right, plentiful parts.

H16 -- Good boat, good for single or light weight duo. Plentiful
parts, advice and mods. Easy to right, lots of used boats
in good shape if your patient. If you go by boats built this
is probably the most popular multi ever made.

WARNING - Biased Opinion Ahead

P16 -- The best damn 16' fun beach cat ever designed. Deep
walled hulls for heavier single/duo crews. Dryer ride
for lighter crews. Can fly a hull in 12kts of breeze with
400lbs of crew wieght on the wires. Easier to learn on
and the fastest of the old school 16's. Larger tramp area,
can handle 6 adults for "fun" cruises. Rare boats to find
in any condition as most Prindle owners jealously guard and
care for thier "secret" weapon. Except for the mast extrusion
all parts are easily available, either used, or new from
Murrays.

I started on a H16, then went to a P16 when it was the only
boat I could find after a hurricane wrecked my H16. I never
looked back at Hobies again. Have owned and single handed
P16's, P18's and P19's. Told ya it was biased. 😎

Nacra 4.7 to 5.8 -- Race boats. Fast and agile. I would not
however recommend these boats to a beginner. Parts everywhere.
Finding one of these in good condition is almost as hard
as getting a Prindle owner to part with his (or her) boat. 😉

As always...your mileage may vary 🙂

If you own all the boats listed under your name, why do you need our opinion

damonAdmin wrote: Not out to start any arguments but just curious, which do you like better? -

Good one Damon!

Jews or Arabs? - Not touching that one
Democrats or Republicans? - More the Libertarian
Blacks or Whites? - i prefer mint chocolate chip (so green i guess)
Beer or Wine? - Rum... (arrrrg)
North Carolina or Duke? (Go GameCocks)

HULLFLYER wrote: If you own all the boats listed under your name, why do you need our opinion

The reason i'm curious i like my H14T but i like to go out with others,the H16 is great has room but i've always had a problem righting it and shes got some wear and tear needs some upgrades,Sol Cat i just got and that is going to be more of a family and friends boat.AAnd as for the Sunfish come on it's a sunfish.I value everyones opinion i don't know it all and never will.I quess i want to know what others prefer cause i'm going to downsize sell and just get something i really want or keep the one that satisfies me most.Thanks B

So are you looking for a single handed boat or one you can take others out on? At the top you say you are looking for a single handed boat, but then you knock the H14T because you can't go out with others. Most boats don't do single handed and group sailing well.

To me it sounds like you need to find something other then a H14 or H16 since you have both and are still looking for something else. Have you looked at H17's?

I found the H16 a little small for me 6'8" over 200lbs, so I went to a H18M when I found one. Hard to move on the beach but can be single handed in a wide range of conditions, wouldn't be able to right it though solo. Also great for taking 1 or 2 people out with you.

An 18 is arguably the best compromise for being able to solo or 1-2 crew. I have had my '85 H18 for many years and park it on the beach for the summer. I back it in with bows toward the water, and tie it down at both forward and rear crossbars using mobile home anchors ($5 each). When solo, I wiggle it forward, by moving one bow at a time, more sideways than forward. When returning, it's the reverse, but from the center area of the rear crossbar. I put one hand on the hull lip, and the other on the deadeye. Again I use a side-to-side pull and wiggle technique. With two people, just lift the stern and pull it backwards by dragging on the bows. Of course beach wheels would make launching and parking go so much easier.
There's a cool rush when solo, on the wire, rippin' through the waves at plus 10 knots.... my top while solo was a GPS-recorded 22 knots, but I had to be sharp to avoid a capsize in the gusts. I have yet to pitchpole (no spinny), but experienced several capsizes, always while tacking or about to tack. Except once, when I had a hull up without my heels dug into the tramp lacing. I slid across without letting go of the tiller - duh! Gotta love those stink-boaters who love to "help" us. I always have them lift the end of the mast - pops right up. I have buried a bow to the crossbar without the hint of disaster. Solid boat. Much tougher than a 16, especially in rougher water. What a ride!
Happy sailing ...
Dan

The hobie 17 has got to be the best ! 😉

My girl has a 14T~~ I use it sometimes... I have a 17 w/ a SUPER jib and 18 mag.... I like all 3, but it depends how much wind & ''gusts'' or if I have a friend(s) go with me or alone......It all depends on the factors !!!!!!!!

I love my Prindle 18

and as for people letting them go now is not a bad time there is an 18 and a 16 both for sale in my area. If I had the bucks I'd buy the 18 so I have one to play with.(Ie..work on customize) and one ready to sail. Or on big family outings get someone else to tow the other one for me.

anyway you can find em at
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=231&cat=197

edited by: Quarath, Apr 14, 2009 - 02:14 PM

the P18's already gone...ya gotta be quick 😉

gotta love the p-18's

H 16 Its like a sore peck*r ya just cant beat it.

All ive ever known is the hobie 14/16. Someone let me borrow a prindle..or a nacra. The dart 18 looks like a fun solo boat as well. whats with these rotomolded boats.. bring back the 17, 18, and 21se !

edited by: thtsjon4u, May 20, 2009 - 12:47 AM

I am a very loyal fan of Nacra's. I now sail a 6.0 and love it, before that I sailed a 5.8 (what a great boat). I have been sailing beach cats since the mid 70's and have owned Hobie's, Prindle's, G Cats, Super Cats and a Tornado. In my opinion the Nacra is like a Timex watch, "Takes A Lickin and keep on Tickin"