Posted: Sep 13, 2010 - 11:32 AM
Wayne, I'm just finishing up my first year with my first Cat, an '84 N5.7, sailed my 33rd day on it yesterday.
Nacraman is right, seal the mast, put a drinking straw on the end of your tube of marine silicone so you can get into the joints on the mast hound. Clean everything with alcohol or such so that the silicone sticks. Leave the holes at the base of the mast unsealed, so any water that does get in can get out. While experimenting with righting mine, I've had it on its side for 30 minutes, & only a few feet of the mast go below the water, no need for a float. Just get the bodies off the mast & rigging or it will try to turtle. I carry a righting bag when solo, but I have righted it just by swimming the mast around into the wind & hiking out.
Search this site for anything to do with 5.7, I have received a ton of information from experienced sailors here.
I also have a gallery in the Members Albums & one or two in the Tech Help section that have a few 5.7 pictures that might answer questions for you.
I looked at your photos in the Profile, you already have roller furling, that will be a big bonus when you want to sail solo.
I'm in Canada, don't know anything about your area, but there must be a Hobie fleet close by. You are lucky that you can sail pretty much all year. If you can get someone who knows what they are doing, it will save you days of experimentation. Once you understand the basics of sailing, don't be afraid to solo it, just keep to less than 10 mph wind to start out. 10 will fly a hull & tip you. If you are bored one day & the wind dies, tip it over, & experiment with righting, then when it happens in windy rougher water there is no fear factor.
You will love the boardless design, uncluttered hulls, room for 6! I don't race, so I don't fret over giving up a few points when beating, & it still amazes me how hard you can drive it into the waves with no tendency to pitchpole. After last weekend, I'm amazed mine is still in one piece!
edited by: Edchris177, Sep 13, 2010 - 10:47 AM
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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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