I'm interested in buying a used cat for use on lakes in the Georgia/Carolina mountains. I'd like to be able to carry 3 to 4 adults. I basically want to learn to sail, and have some fun while I'm doing it. It looks like I can get something decent for less than $2000 that meets my basic needs. I have a lot of canoeing/kayaking experience but have never sailed. I'm at home on the water. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm retired and have a lot of time for this.

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Bruce Henry
Lithonia and Lakemont, Georgia
82 Hobie 16
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I put an ad on craigslist under boats for, "Wanted - Prindle 16 catamaran", and got several emails. I narrowed it down and I'm picking it up in a week and a half. That's what worked for me. Good luck

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Prindle 16
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Thx, I apologize for this post. After reading thru some historical posts I got a lot of answers I was looking for. Great site.

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Bruce Henry
Lithonia and Lakemont, Georgia
82 Hobie 16
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No problem newbie,
this is a relaxed and friendly forum in my experience. Do keep us posted on what you intend to get though. May save you some head aches.
Dennis

I think I've settled on a Nacra 5.7, Hobie 16 or similar. I'm pretty handy and have a lot of tools. I've wanted to sail all my life and now I have a good opportunity. Most of my early sailing will be on small mountain lakes which I imagine can be problematic due to mountain interferences. We'll see how it goes. I hope to be able to cruise the Caribbean one day, but I have a lot to learn.

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Bruce Henry
Lithonia and Lakemont, Georgia
82 Hobie 16
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Welcome to cat sailing. I hope you enjoy it as much as the people here do. One word of advise is a H16 is difficult to sail with 4 adults on board. Well you can sail it, it just won't go very far very fast. I would recommend an 18' boat if you plan to spend much time with that many people on the boat. But if you spend much time with 1-2 people on the boat, and 18 might be to much boat for a new sailor. But as you said, there have been lots of discussions on the topic in the past.

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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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I'm guessing it will usually be me and my wife though I have a significant extended family who are getting excited about this. I've thought of maybe scaling down to a Nacra 5.2. Prindle 16 & 18's have a lot of fans. I guess the fact that the're not being made anymore scares me a little, but seems to be a good option. Thanks for the advice.

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Bruce Henry
Lithonia and Lakemont, Georgia
82 Hobie 16
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Not sure your lake situation, but when I go with family and friends it is usually 2-3 on the boat and the rest on shore. Then I go in, trade off crew, and go back out. That way everyone gets a turn and it is a better experience with 2 (or 3) on the boat instead of 4, and it allows for people to relax on shore. I usually try to sneak off solo for a little while too, calling it my turn, amazing how different the boats feel with different crew weights on them.

I wouldn't worry about if a boat is still in production or not, especially if it has a fairly large number of boats out there. The Hobie, Prindle, Nacra spare parts support is very good from numerous vendors. Some other brands may be harder to find replacement parts.

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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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I found a N 5.7 nearby in fair condition. It's an 84 w/original sails. The guy says I could sail it today but will probably need some work down the road. It's only $2000 w/trailer so I wasn't expecting great condition. I'm tempted to buy it and go from there. Being retired, I need some projects to keep me busy now and then.



Edited by reach48 on Feb 22, 2011 - 12:02 PM.

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Bruce Henry
Lithonia and Lakemont, Georgia
82 Hobie 16
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presumably a dagger-less, boomless, nacra 5.7

good boat

fair price

That's what I gathered from reading posts on this site. I can set it up in my back yard, and learn a lot. It is dagger-less and boomless. The owner has been real upfront about the condition. It looks like any technical problems I might find can be resolved using this site for info. I'm an engineer, and we know everything anyway. LOL



Edited by reach48 on Feb 22, 2011 - 08:06 AM.

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Bruce Henry
Lithonia and Lakemont, Georgia
82 Hobie 16
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Quote

I'd like to be able to carry 3 to 4 adults. I basically want to learn to sail, and have some fun

Did you make a typo above (N4.7), & actually meant an N5.7?
There are a few 5.7 owners here, that was the first Cat I bought. They are relatively simple boats, & will kick the can off a Hobie 16, though you are not comparing apples to apples. The 5.7 is just a tad under 19' & carries a 30' mast. I have had 2 adults & 2 teens on mine. Obviously you won't get top performance, but if you just want to cruise they will carry that weight easily, without appearing to be on the verge of sinking. There are no lines coming through the tramp on the 5.7, it makes for a large "lounging space", I have not had any problem sourcing parts. Make sure the expensive items are all there. Unroll the sail & jib & go over them closely. Look for tears along the lower portion of the bolt rope, & in the batten pockets. Head plate & clew plate should not have the holes showing tons of wear. The jib tends to wear out first, look for loose stitches near the clew. Make sure all battens are included, & they are not broken. Main & jib blocks good condition. Tramp stitching should still be sound & grommets not pulling out. The adjustable rudder tie bar is worthwhile to have. You will need an extend-able (8') tiller bar to solo on the wire. It should have double trapezes on each side. Look closely at dolphin striker rod, it should not be bent. Ask him outright if the hulls are watertight. (He can always lie, but if he is an honest shooter he may tell you the real condition) Most Cats take on a bit of water, especially when lying on their side, but you shouldn't get 5 gallons after 2 days sail. Look closely where the shrouds attach to the hull, & the bridle wire attach points near the bow. Slight cracking of the gelcoat is normal, but they shouldn't look as if the fittings are corroded badly, salt water use will be harder on the boat. The sides of the hull will "oil can" if you push on them, you will be able to flex the hull between the internal stringers, but it shouldn't feel flimsy. An '84 year is solid glass, it won't be foam sandwich. The decks of the hulls should also be mostly firm, though you will be able to slightly deflect some areas between the stringers. Make a long list, then you can check each item off as you inspect it, & account for deficiencies and/or missing items. Try to get decent PFDs & a couple of harnesses with the deal, that will save you $$. Also a paddle, righting line & bag are worth over $100.
I solo mine quite bit, & with even a smaller (120lb) crew on the wire, they really fly.
Do a search of the forums, & browse the members albums for 5.7 stuff. About a year ago Nacraman57 was asked if a new sailor should go with the smaller 5.0 or the 5.7 He has both & voted 100% for the 5.7 If your sailing area has shallows you will really like the boardless design. Boomless is also simple, the 5.7 rigs up very quickly, though you will need an extra hand to step the mast, unless you get creative & Mcgyver a system to do it solo. Lots of ideas about that have been posted. I sailed mine nearly 40 days last summer, up here in Canada. I don't contend with surf, but as a first Cat I don't think I could have done better. It is not such a beast as to frighten off the new sailor, yet it is not so tame that you get bored after the first month. Powered up in 20 mph is still a wild ride solo. Just stick to no more than 10 mph til you get a handle on things. Some of the older Catamaran books would be very helpful if you have never sailed before.
Catamaran Sailing: From Start to Finish & Catamaran Racing (phil Berman) can be found cheaply. Catamaran Racing for the 90's Rick White is also very good.
There are 2 manuals here for the '84 ish N5.7 Look under Photo Albums Tech Tips (pg 2) If you scroll to the bottom you can download each manual as a complete PDF file.
http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures/?g2_itemId=35212

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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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Man what a great reply. Yeah, I meant a 5.7. I did ask about the hulls and he said they don't leak but the hatch seals could use some caulking. I've got the books on order. They've been mentioned several times in old posts. I started out with some ASA manuals, which included multihull fundamentals. After reading that, I wondered why anyone would want to sail a single hull. They (singles) seem to maybe have an advantage in real heavy weather, but I bet I could get a good argument going regarding that. The seller claimed it took him an hour and a half to set this boat up. Even if the deal falls through you all have sold me on the N5.7. I own a bunch of pfd's and paddles from a lifetime of kayaking and canoeing.

Again, wow and thanks.

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Bruce Henry
Lithonia and Lakemont, Georgia
82 Hobie 16
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Here's a vid of a N5.7 my son sent me.

http://www.youtube.com/wa…ure=youtube_gdata_player

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Bruce Henry
Lithonia and Lakemont, Georgia
82 Hobie 16
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Great video oif a 5.7 under sail. Other than sail color that is identical to my boat, even the hull graphics are the same.Notice several things.
He had 3 adults on board, & had no problem flying a hull.
Around the 9-10 minute mark there is good footage of the spray flying from the bow, & large roostertails from the rudders, they are moving. Notice in several instances the downwind bow goes underwater, once past the bridal wire, yet the boat showns no tendency to want to submarine or flip.
The tramp is clean, lots of room for gear & people, & no boards to get in the way of passengers, especially when coming into shallow water.
See the little drum at the bottom of the jib? That is for roller furling, you can see him use it to snuff the jib around the 13:00 mark. That is a very useful option, especially solo. If your boat has it, they are worth over $100 used.
You will use your kayak PFDs, they are short & don't get in the way of the trap hookups. Try to get a couple of harnesses with the deal.
Try to get the owner to rig it with you, & show you how everything works. If you don't know what you are looking for, it is easy to overlook missing items that might be costly. That way you will also see if the sail raises easily etc.
If all the main parts are OK, BUY THE BOAT & GET GOING! The price sounds reasonable,but there will always be a few things you wuill need, drive down with a fistfull of cash, & offer him $1700.
There are used parts around, & Murrays in Carpenteria Ca stocks many parts for this boat. The only other thing I can think of is how big are your lakes? As you can see Cats move, you can eat up several miles in pretty short order.

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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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EC,
I'm so glad you got that boat!! Sounds like you are forever converted to the dark side! :) I have to second everything you said. The 5.7 is an awesome ride and that's a good price!

D.

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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It appears the deal for the N5.7 has faded away. Meanwhile, I found a H16 nearby, which the guy is willing to set up and take me out sailing. He's even offered use of his guest house. He's been sailing and racing cats for 40 years, and isn't using it anymore and hates to see it just sitting there. He's only asking $850 for an 80's era boat with trailer in decent condition, which sounds good to me, especially since he's willing to set the whole thing up for me. Most of our lakes are small, though there are a couple of big ones that could hold the N5.7, but power boats dominate on the weekends. Most of the time it will just be a couple of us sailing. I hate to disappoint you Nacra guys, but from all I read a H16 might be a good first boat. Are single hull sailors as enthusiastic as cat sailors?

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Bruce Henry
Lithonia and Lakemont, Georgia
82 Hobie 16
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No problems, there is nothing wrong with an H16, easy to rig, easy to sail and if you break something you can usually get parts locally no matter where you are. The only limit is that more than 2 medium sized people and it tends to bog down, but it will still go like snot in a blow. Given the choice however... :)

And no single hull sailors tend to just be snooty, except the laser sailors for some reason. We are the 'bad boys/girls' of the sailing world. :)

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Hi Reach 48,
I'll also vouch for the H16 as a great first cat. With practice, you'll get the set-up down to one beer and the lip around the hull makes it easy to pull up on the beach.
I lead a double life, kind of growing up with my own Hobies and friend's & brother's mono-hulls. I found great and enthusiastic people in both crowds. Somehow, the thrill is there for hitting 9 or 13 knots on the mono-hulls as we have for passing 20.
As Wolfman says "the 16 will go like snot in a blow" but do keep an eye on the bow!
Enjoy!

Just don't try to sail it with 4 people, those hulls just don't have the flotation for that. If you get it cheap, go for it, if it turns out you don't like it sell & buy a NACRA!!
All in fun, as Damon (the Admin) says, buy what's available & get sailing. The members here are not snobs, even if you bought an Aqua Cat they would give you advice or help with any problems.

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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
--

Really, I wouldn't help someone with an Aquacat!

Ok, maybe I would, but I wouldn't like it!

Ok, maybe they are a little cute and kind of neat.

dammit. OK but I draw the line at people with Sizzlers!

Well if one is still out there that floats... there was one in Jaws 2...

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Thanks for all the info. I almost feel like a sailor and I haven't gotten wet yet. I'm going to try for that H16, and see how it goes.

"Let me square the yards, while we may, old man, and make a fair wind of it homeward."

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Bruce Henry
Lithonia and Lakemont, Georgia
82 Hobie 16
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Certainly have fun with it and if you don't know about something just ask. There are no stupid or silly questions.

One word of advice before you ever go on the water pick up one of the decent into books on catamarans and read it from cover to cover. Then go sailing a couple of times and read it again. YOu won't understand everything the first time through but after a couple fo sails it will make sense. Rick Whites book is the bible but it isn't for a beginner. Pick up Catamaran Sailing From Start to Finish by Phil Berman and or The Catamaran Book by Brian Phipps. Both are good introductions.

If you can get someone to show you how to rig the boat and sail it that is even better (but pick up a book anyway because there are is lot of info that not everyone knows).

Lastly realize that you will likely scare yourself a time or two while you are learning the basics and your limits. Don't let that deter you, the most important thing is that you wear your life jacket and at least have someone with a motor boat available to keep an eye on you for the first couple of times you go out. That could save you a world of anxiety knowing you have a safety net waiting to rescue you if something goes wrong, you can't get back or you flip the boat and can't get it to right. Actually you should always have a rescue plan ready, just in case, weather it is a 2 way radio or cell phone for us guys on small lakes or a vhf radio for those Gulf guys.

D.

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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I've almost finished Berman's book and have read parts of Whites book. There's some good video's on Youtube about rigging and sailing. I've run some pretty hairy rapids in a loaded canoe in days gone by, so I've been worried on the water more than once. Sailing seems to be a very challenging endeavor and I really appreciate the advice. Maybe one day I can offer the same type of helpful assistance I've received on this forum. Cheers, mates and may the winds be with you.

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Bruce Henry
Lithonia and Lakemont, Georgia
82 Hobie 16
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This string has been a blast to read. Hope the deal works out for you on the H16. Looking forward to the word on your maiden voyage!

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David
Memphis, TN
'84 Hobie 18
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We'll I bought the H16 and took it out with the owner in 15+ winds gusting in the 20s for my first time out. We were sailing only with the main because it was so windy, but that really limited our ability to tack. Some tough moments now and again, but we returned to our put-in in one piece. Land forms can really cause problems. I go back for another lesson, and then I'm on my own. I look forward to taking her out in lighter air.

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Bruce Henry
Lithonia and Lakemont, Georgia
82 Hobie 16
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reach48

I'm guessing it will usually be me and my wife though I have a significant extended family who are getting excited about this. I've thought of maybe scaling down to a Nacra 5.2. Prindle 16 & 18's have a lot of fans. I guess the fact that the're not being made anymore scares me a little, but seems to be a good option. Thanks for the advice.

I wouldn't be too worried about this fact. I have a Prindle 16 that's needed (among other things) a new mast. Apparently most small boat masts are designed to about the same specifications so you CAN still buy new but, because they were also built so well it was REALLY easy to find a used one on craigslist.
Having to repair a mast is about the worst thing that can happen to you. In my opinion a busted up hull is easier to deal with than a bent mast.

Buying a Used Prindle probably won't be an issue simply for the fact that by the time you are able to do any severe damage too it, you'll probably be ready to buy up anyway. And ANY damage other than to the mast and metal supports is usually simple to fix for anyone handy. They've been used and abused for 20 years! What's another 10?

The monohull/multihull argument is simple and has been settled in the minds of most people for quite some time.

Multihulls are generally better in every way except beating into weather without daggerboards and as cheap, roomy live-aboards.

The heavy weather argument is the simplest of all. Capsized keelboats sink, modern foam sandwich catamarans don't. They won't even sink if broken up. That sells me on cats personally.

I would also suggest not worrying too about buying a boat that isn't made anymore as long as it was relatively popular. If you go with Prindle/Nacra or Hobie most of the parts except the hulls are still available new and there are lots of used ones.

Most of the parts on any sailboat except the rudders, daggers and some of the castings are not boat specific. Rigging is mostly custom made to order anyway, as are sails and tramps. With masts as long as you have the top and bottom casting you can find a mast that will fit pretty easily. Even rudders and daggerboards can be home built out of wood or fiberglass with some time and shop skills. The toughest thing with some of the low production run boats (mysteres, sol cats, etc) is when the castings for the rudders, cross bars or mast breaks. Used replacements can be hard to come by and making your own is not possible. The only choice then is to retrofit a system from another boat or buy another used boat. Usually it's cheaper and easier to start over with a different boat at that point.

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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