I just signed up. So, I don't understand protocal yet. So, anywho, I would like to purchase a cat in the near future. But, I've never sailed one. I live in AR. On a large resevoir. I would like to sail it myself, but also be able to take on passengers too. I am not interested in racing. But I would like to have the ability to trapeze too. I am thinking a 16 would fit the bill.
If you have any advise or suggestions. I will look at all. Thx, for the cool forum
greg

Lots of boats could work for you. We kind of need an idea of budget and what type of sailing you are wanting (cruising or performance) also. You should be able to find a good used boat here in the classifieds, but you will likely have to do some driving to go get it. For single handing you would preferably want a boat with no daggerboards and no boom (for simplicities sake). Although a sloop rig (just mainsail) is simpler to sail, tacking (turning through the wind) can be quite a bit harder. Lastly if you are single handing you will likely need help righting the boat when you capsize, purchasing a water bag or pole righting system is probably a requirment (unless you are pretty heavy like me).

Check out this link: http://www.sailingproshop.com/catamaran_guide.aspx

Off the top of my head, boats that would be good are:

Best:
Hobie 17
Nacra 5.0
Prindle 16
Hobie Wave - yes I said it.
Hobie 16 - cheap and lots of parts available

Good:
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.2 - daggerboards
Nacra 5.5 - daggerboards
Any F17 - daggerboards

Basically those are all under 17 ft long with goo

There are also a number of other boats that fit in that category from smaller manufacturers like Mystere, as well as less common boats in NA like the Dart and Sol Cat. All decent boats but they are harder to find parts for. If you find one in good condition, close to you and for a good price though, they may be worth it (I would love to have a Mystere or AHPC cat in my stable).

The 18 ft cats are really nice but you are really getting into 2 person territory with them. Most of the boats above are also designed to be sailed 2 handed but can be sailed by one person.

If anyone disagrees or sees I've missed something let me know.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you like, we just ask that you do a quick search of the forums first to see if the question has already been answered 10 times. No problems if it has been asked or you have a slight twist on it, someone will just answer it or direct you to the answer but courtesy dictates you look a bit first.

Regards,
Dave

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

I just signed up. So, I don't understand protocal yet. So, anywho, I would like to purchase a cat in the near future. But, I've never sailed one. I live in AR. On a large resevoir. I would like to sail it myself, but also be able to take on passengers too. I am not interested in racing. But I would like to have the ability to trapeze too. I am thinking a 16 would fit the bill.
If you have any advise or suggestions. I will look at all. Thx, for the cool forum
greg

Hello and welcome to TheBeachcats.com. Glad you are interested in getting into beachcat sailing.

Blunt questions that will help us help you.

How fit are you?

What is your height and weight? (not ideally, but really)

Small catamarans are mostly pretty weight sensitive, some more than others. The ones that are designed as single handers are usually race boats designed to be efficient for a very specific weight of crew.

Which rez are you near? Have you found the local cat sailors in your area? If not we can probably hook you up.

Dave gave you some good general info, answer these questions and we can help more.

One more question because I'm interested. You've never sailed before and decided you want a beachcat, something must have triggered that. What?

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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~~ NOT a 17 Hobie.... Thats more of a one man boat, It doesn't have the hull volume to handle 2 people. I've had 2 on mine but you bury the hull and your speed is reduced....... For starters... a 16 Hobie, it takes 2 or 1 , lots of parts, most popular boat in the world..... Nacras are an excellent boat as well, but I don't know much about them, I think lightweight & fast.
A 16 Hobie might be better for you. Don't get one thats to old (70's-- soft hulls) Go with the mid 80's or newer depending on your $$$$ ?? Keep us informed !!!!!! And welcome to the club~~~~~~~

--
~ Vietnam Vet 69-71~ 17 Hobie w/big jib, ~18 Hobie mag,~DN Ice sailor,
and other toys.......
~~ I live in NY state on the north shore of Oneida lake in
Bernhards Bay. ~~~~~~
--

Quote

If anyone disagrees or sees I've missed something let me know.

The 5.7 is listed erroneously under "good", instead of "best" You know it's the best Dave, & you want one, & you will buy the first one that comes up in your area, along with a 5.0 so you can be like Nacraman57, so there

Quote

Basically those are all under 17 ft long with goo

Me thinks the 5.7 is almost 19'....or maybe the blinding speed stretched mine.



Edited by Edchris177 on May 14, 2011 - 02:05 PM.

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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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what ends up happening is getting the best boat you find...you will see some beaters as well as some really nice stuff. this is where the budget kicks in...if your not afraid of some glass work and other repairs, you can get that majic 500$ boat...if you have money to burn, the sky is the limit. 16 footer is great first boat, hobie 16 or prindle 16 are great boats, no dagger boards, fast enough for thrills, and affordable. a lifelong hobie guy, i prefer my prindle now. it's better engineered and can handle way more payload(an issue now that i'm 235lbs.). either way, take the best looking deal and don't worry about the cosmetic stuff til next year...the boat will tell you what to fix now!

--
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bill harris
hattiesburg, mississippi
prindle 16- "BLUE RIBBON"
--

Yes EC I will buy the first 5.7 or 5.0 that comes available within a days drive of me for sure. Funny thing is a Hobie 17 that I was looking for 4 years ago (before I knew about Nacras) that everyone told me didn't exist in my province just showed itself on Kijiji within a 5 minute drive of me. Too bad I've already sunk so much money and work into my 5.2. And it is about 19 ft long but still a great boat to singlehand or sail with 2 friends. Never said I was perfect. :)

Coastrat is correct, if you are looking at used boats there are 4 things that are important condition, condition, condition and price. You can make even the 19 footers work if you find one that is complete and in good shape. Lots of juryrigged worn out boats out there for under $1000, and even more lost causes for under $500. You can save most of them but it takes time, effort and money.

D.

--
Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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virtual sailing a nacra 5.2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j55lMDEBmP8

I love cool cat, such a pretty boat! Great example of a stock 5.2 with great graphics.

D.

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

airwolftruker

Where are you at in AR and where do you plan to sail? I live in Benton and sail on DeGray primarily but have sailed on Beaver and Ouachita on occasion. Due to the variable water levels we typically have in the local lakes and the rocky bottoms i would advise you look for a boat without dagger boards. When selecting a boat here you must also consider how far you are willing to travel. I looked casually for almost a year before I found my P18 on craigslist. I was just sitting in an aircraft hangar where it had been for over 10 years. Prior to that find I had very little luck locally finding mostly boats in need of significant work and $$ to be minimally functional and even these boats were highly over priced IMHO.

I can't even pretend to be an expert but if you are nearby I would love to find some more guys to sail with.

Rider_55

airwolftruker

I live in Benton and sail on DeGray primarily but have sailed on Beaver and Ouachita on occasion.

Have you sailed at Lake Maumelle recently? Back when both Memphis and Little Rock had active Hobie Fleets we would trade visits and regattas. Not a huge lake but a good crowd. I think I had heard they had trouble with silting or something but haven't been there in years.

A beautiful lake is Greers Ferry, when I was in college I sailed a lot of slow boats on that lake out of the Eden Isle Marina. Rocky shoreline like you mentioned, I've always wanted to get back over there with my H18 for a visit.

--
Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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damonAdmin

Have you sailed at Lake Maumelle recently? Back when both Memphis and Little Rock had active Hobie Fleets we would trade visits and regattas. Not a huge lake but a good crowd. I think I had heard they had trouble with silting or something but haven't been there in years.

A beautiful lake is Greers Ferry, when I was in college I sailed a lot of slow boats on that lake out of the Eden Isle Marina. Rocky shoreline like you mentioned, I've always wanted to get back over there with my H18 for a visit.

I have not sailed at Lake Maumelle at all however, my boss sails there weekly. They had some really low water elevations last year but with our recent rains are back at or above the standard pool elevation. Eventually I hope to be able to afford to join the Grand Maumelle Yacht Club and be able to sail out of the facilities they have. Based on what I know about the lake there is really not anyplace else you could put a sailboat in on the lake as every other access I know of is isolated from the main lake by bridges that a mast will not clear.

I haven't sailed on Greer's Ferry but I have explored a ton of the lake with my ski boat. It looks great; however, I would have to make a weekend of it at least as by the time I got there and set up I am 4 hours from door to sailing.