Currently looking at a Boston Whaler "Super 17". Seeing this boat for sale was the first Boston Whaler sail cat that I have ever seen or heard of. Does anyone have any thumbs up or thumbs down about these? I've heard plenty about their motor powered hulls being pretty bomber.
Thanks

the super 17 is a fast, wet, flippy (can capsize often in the right/wrong hands) catamaran.

can be a good cat for a new sailor who likes spray in his face, and doenst mind capsizing often. Not a good boat for someone who wants to stay dry :)

Thanks Andrew. Just found out it's an '85 if that makes any difference. Are there some general factors that makes a cat more or less prone to spray? I guess I figured they all did. Which ones don't do it, or at least not as much?

the year makes little difference on that cat, as its just a different manufacturer.. same exact molds (shape). all in all its still a great cat.. just a wet one.

yes many factors.. bow shape is probably the most important. also noteworthy is the "STOCK" trampoline is a wide mesh (like a laundry bag) so it provides NO protection from under-tramp splash (more a factor in waves). also that style tramp is VERY rough on the knees/elbows.. you can't tell in that pic but he (and his wife) wear kneepade and elbow pads to avoid the cheese cutter effect...



boats with more freeboard (height) usually create less spray in the face (but not in the supercats case oddly enough).. as they do have lots of freeboard.)

I seem to recall the Hobies are not to wet (to the people onboard.. but all boats spray in heavy air)

my mystere requires sailing through a 3 foot boat wake (or wave) to get me even damp.

I have spent a fair amount of time on a SuperCat 20, also built in the mid 80's and manufactured by Boston Whaler. If the 17 is like the 20 they are wet boats. See picture below from a good wind on a flat lake. Add in waves and you need windshield wipers for your glasses. They are great boats, but yes a wetter ride then most.



My H18M has a lot less spray when you are out on the wings. I think volume of hulls and weight of crew play a big part.



edited by: smfinley, Mar 16, 2010 - 08:22 PM

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Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
‘96/‘01/‘14 Hobie Waves
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Love the shape of the Boston Whaler, checking this one out.......
http://kansascity.craigsl….org/boa/1600798832.html



edited by: turbohobo, Mar 17, 2010 - 02:33 AM

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TurboHobo
H14T
H16
P18
G-Cat 5.0
P16
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We own a supercat 17, non whaler. is exactly the same boat as you are looking at. they are great boats with a "boat load" of tramp space. and very forgiving with crew weight.
there is space for 4 on the tramp, and you can sail almost normally with 3.

--
Stefan, Denmark.
H14,H16,P16,P18,SC17,N5.8
Team StaySail
http://www.staysail.eu
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Which lake are you considering. I sail Lake Lewisville from Hobie Point (SW corner of the lake). It is a pretty popular spot for cats (the local hobie fleet sails from here).

Hadn't planned on a specific lake at this point. Figured I'd trailer it to wherever. When does the hobie fleet usually hit the water?

So I ended up with the Nacra 5.2 that was for sail in Austin. Thanks for all the help Ryan. Can't wait!

http://www.hobiefleet23.com/

I would recommend their Hobie U. It is free and they have some people with a lot of experience.

WOW, what a great service (and way to meet local cat sailors)... FREE? wow

I took advantage of the Hobie U last year. It was great and I finally got the bows to consistently pass the wind in short choppy waves. It seems that I was not letting out enough traveller or main sheet and couldn't cheat by backwinding the jib due to the lack of jib.

It was a good time. They supply food and possibly beer.....either that or I stole someone's beer.

awesome!

(note to self, hide beer when Rich is near)