I have a couple years experience on small light powered cats.

Wanting to make a jump to something more exciting. I'll be learning with a guy on an F18, so I figured I'd buy one myself (however I'd want to solo about 50% of the time).

Looks like an F18 is a very bad idea for solo, but an F16 would work? Is the difference mainly that there is less heel to be expected so one person can offset that better, ease of controls, or both?

a a-cat or a hobie fx one might be better then both of those and go just as fast

The difference is size and weight. If you've got the wallet and the sack, I can't imagine a good reason not to go with an F16 given your criteria above.

I wouldn't expect less heel, just understand a lighter platform will be more weight sensitive.

An F16 gives you the option to sail uni, which requires less hands. This is important (at least to me.)

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Rob
OKC
Pile of Nacra parts..
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i 2nd that

imho

the f18 only has 1 significant advantage over an f16

they can be bought cheaper 2nd hand, from $5000?

I just got an F16 and have sailed it by myself a good bit so far. Biggest wind I've had it out solo is around 10 and I did fine, had a blast with the spin up. I turned it over a couple of days ago and couldnt right it though. I weigh 155-160, AHPC says it takes 155 to right. I could just get the mast out of the water but couldn't get it to come on up. With some practice and a righting bag I think I'll be able to do it.

I started out looking at F18's since there are more used ones and cheaper but worried about the solo part and my girlfriend only weighs like 115. I imagine in the next few years there will be more of a market for used boats, there aren't many out there right now.

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Mac
Midlands South Carolina
AHPC Viper USA 366
A Cat USA 366
Super Cat 17
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I have an F16 Stealth and a Bimare F18HT, and I solo both a fair amount. The 16 has a broader wind range for solo sailing, in 6 to 12 kts I'll sail with the jib and main, Above that, I lose the jib and can handle the boat up to near 20 kts. I can also right it with a righting pole fairly easily, I'm 160 lbs. The HT is a main and spin boat, no jib, so it's easy to sail solo. It starts flying a hull in 6 to 8 kts if I'm conscious of my weight placement, and I can hang on til around 15 kts of steady wind. Above that I'm not using the spin, have the sail as depowered as possible, and I'm travelled out 6 to 12 inches, and driving carefully. I can right it by myself with an extra long SoloRight, but it's a much lighter boat(280 lbs) than regular F18s, which weigh in around 390. The 16's performance suffers more than the 18 if I enlist big crew(over 175 lbs). Both are wonderful boats, and there are a couple of HTs currently for salel(in the classifieds here) at attractive prices. 16s on the used market are currently more expensive primarily because they are newer. Early F18s are indeed becoming available for as little as 5 or 6K.

Dave

shoguner, you haven't told us how much you weigh. Also, you said you will be sailing with a crew about half the time. How much does your crew weigh? Will your crew want to actively help on the boat, or is (s)he really a passenger? These are important considerations when deciding what kind of boat to get.

My wife and I have a combined weight of 260lbs. We sailed a Hobie Tiger once in about 15mph wind and were barely able to keep the boat under control and forget about hoisting the spinnaker. It wasn't very fun at all.

I went with an F-16, but I agree that finding a used one isn't easy. At 150lbs, I've sailed it single-handed in 20mph wind, but I have to admit that I was pretty nervous, but with my crew at that wind speed, we had a blast.

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Daniel T.
Taipan F16 - USA 213
Clearwater, FL
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The f-16 sure is more pleasant to push up a hill or beach, which can really add up.

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Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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Thanks everyone. This was very helpful!!

I weigh 155-160 lbs. When sailing by myself I'd hope to be able to get nervous in 20Mph winds but really push it at 10-20 solo.

Like I said i'll be solo 50% of the time and the majority of the other time with another guy 190 lbs that has experience. Only occasionally trying to scare a girlfriend, etc.

My take from all of this is that an F16 is the way to go if I want to three sail solo without being completely overmatched, while still being able to enjoy it at a crew of 300-340.

Now the search begins.

If you find one in Calif and dont want to treck to it let me know. That is my dream boat.. H

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Hal Liske
Livermore CA
H 16 (6+ 1.. Friends) H 3.2 N 5.2 (2) H 17 (2) H-18
Nacra 5.8 (son's) H 20 (Friends)
It's a Sickness

I Need a A Cat Please
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shoguner

Now the search begins.

Is this boat near you? The price sounds about right to me...

http://www.TheBeachcats.c…atamarans/p11398-mr.html

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Daniel T.
Taipan F16 - USA 213
Clearwater, FL
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