I have never sailed but I like fishing, camping and summer recreational activities. I have 3 kids and I'm thinking of getting into cat sailing. How do I test the waters to see if I like the sport? How do I get started? I've seen vids where people take their family on a cat ride and it looks like a blast. The boats seem to be very versatile and they could be used for various purposes. What kind of cat would you recommend for a beginner?

With 3 kids, I would go with Hobie Getaway.

Checkout
http://www.hobiecat.com/f…c237cc3e08bb7ae0f8844df2

for more info on Hobies.



Edited by jackb on May 12, 2012 - 07:40 AM.

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Jack B
Hobie 17
BC, Canada
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i have a 4 kids and a hobie 16, i often take three at a time but usually two, trampoline gets a little busy with that.

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Kenneth Purdy
Hobie 16
Nacra 5.2 (2)
Banshee
First Coast, Florida
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First off post where you are located and maybe you can hook up with one of us and get a ride and
that way you can see if cat sailing is for you. Prindles sail well with extra weight. The 18 might be better
with a bunch of kids but more boat to handle. They can be had cheap. The getaway will cost more but
is great for family outings. The Hobie 18 with wings gives lots of extra room but is a heavy boat to haul
around on the beach.

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Pete Knapp
Schodack landing,NY
Goodall Viper,AHPC Viper,Nacra I20
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For a beginner carrying children I have to agree with JackB the Getaway is a great option!! Simple, stable, no daggerboards, no boom to crack your head, you won't capsize if the kids jump around and its very versatile. More so than many of the other beachcats. But it isn't as fast as most others. That isn't necessarily a bad thing while you are learning. Once you get everything mastered and the kids grow up a bit, you can sell the getaways and get a rocketship! :)

Dave.

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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I'm still trying to figure out the forum functions...

I added my location. What do you know, Wolfman is also from Winnipeg :)

I'd like to start with a used cat. I notice that the Prindles prices are lower than others. Why is Prindles less $ ? I saw great Youtube vids of Narca... Time to go look at some YT vids on the Hobie Getaway.

snosheriff

I'm still trying to figure out the forum functions...

I added my location. What do you know, Wolfman is also from Winnipeg :)

I think you must have added the location to your personal info. The links in my signature have instructions for creating your forum signature and avatar like all the cool kids have.

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
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Are you kidding me!! I was the only Winnipegger on this forum (Manitoban for that matter). Welcome aboard!

Finding a Prindle locally is really really tough. They never sold them on on the prairies (except maybe alberta). Locally we have always had a very low volume hobie dealer and very briefly a solcat dealer. There are a few Nacras that made it up here, I probably have the only Nacra 5.2, there is a 5.5 SL on Lake Winnipeg that was for sale a few years ago. The Victoria Beach Yacht club is the only club with a significant cat population. Paul Grey at Northern Sail Works is the local Hobie Dealer, he only sells new cats most of the time. Great guy and an excellent sailmaker. He has Wave's and Getaways in stock, anything else is a special order.

There is another cat 'seller' that you should probably be aware of. PM me and we can discuss further. He means well but is not overly knowledgable. How far afield are you willing to go? There are currently a few boats available in North Dakota, but they are mostly freestyle 474s. A good boat but probably not ideal for you. If you check out Craigslist there are a number of Prindles and a Nacra 5.0 available in Minneapolis. That is the best way to get a boat within a reasonable distance for a reasonable price.

Use search tempest http://www.searchtempest.com/ to find all the available boats in ND and MN quickly. Kijiji is good for MB, ONT and SK, but very few boats other than hobie 14s (too small for you) and Hobie 16s (probably OK but can be scary at times).

I'm located on Jessica Lake in the Whiteshell, so if you are located close or are willing to come out for a day I would be happy to take you sailing, teach you the basics of rigging and sailing and basically talk your ear off for many hours.

Oh, to answer your questions. Prindles aren't made anymore, many years ago Nacra bought Prindle and eventually phased out that line of boats. Older Prindles, Hobies and Nacra's are a good buy because they still make about 90% of the parts or the parts are fairly easy to get. Other boats such as the Solcats are trickier because they are complete gone. However you will find that everything except the Hulls, Rudders and castings are fairly interchangeble or can be jury rigged. Things like rudder systems can be swapped with different boats but it is a big job. It's easier and cheaper in the long run to stick with the boats that were manufactured in larger volume or are still in productions such as the big 3 mentioned above.

Check out this guide for some quick information http://www.sailingproshop.com/catamaran_guide.aspx


Regards,
Dave



Edited by Wolfman on May 13, 2012 - 10:28 PM.

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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I think the Getaway is perfect for you. And like Wolfman said, once you have out grown the Getaway you can get a real rocket ship. I would recommend the Hobie 18 Magnum rocket ship, but since your a beginner it is just to much boat for you. The 18 Magnum has a lot of comfortable space because of the wings, and plenty of speed, it is also simple to sail compared to a NACRA, or Hobie Tiger. If you plan on trailering your boat and using boat launches, you really don't have to move it around the beach to much. I single hand my 18 80% of the time, and don't have to much trouble moving her. The Getaway is very durable comfy and kid friendly, its kinda like a miniature 18, because it has wings and a jib, like the 18. The Getaway is just slow, compared to other cats, but faster than most monohulls.

A used Getaway is approximately 3000$ - 5000$. So if you own it for a few years and take care of it you can sell it for a little less. A Hobie 18 can be bought for approximately 800$ - 3000$, which means the Getaway will easily pay for the 18 when you decide the Getaway isn't fast enough for ya. Also with the extra cash you can get some of the nice upgrades for the 18.

Before I bought my cat I rented a 16 and a Getaway about 10 times. So rent one a few times before you buy one because you may end up not liking it as much as you thought. My buddy once told me after a full day of sailing that all we did was sit on a boat and float around. He did not feel the rush of going fast, or the beauty of cruising the ocean with just wind power. I felt bad for him, kinda an immature guy, he rather be playing video games.

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ALLEY CAT 1984 RED LINE HOBIE 18 MAGNUM
Sail # 10505 or 277
San Diego, Ca
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another vote for the getaway

friend has 1 and it loads up really well, front tramp is great for kids

boomless and reasonably quick for what it is

coming from my nacra 5.2 it drives like a truck

but that's what you want with little kids and non-sailors on board

If Minneapolis is close for you I would look out for a supercat 15 or 17... Plenty of tramp space and large volume in the hulls.. and also is a boomless boat



Edited by dsltrc on May 14, 2012 - 08:31 AM.

My two cents, I have young kids myself and the NACRA 5.0/500 is the ideal choice of boat for this situation. It might take a little while to find one but this boat is fast, the straight hull shape prevents the boat from pitchpoling and there is no boom to crack your head on and no dagger boards to mess with. The boat can easily be sailed solo or together. The kids and I had a blast pulling them behind it on the tube... http://youtu.be/trvgt1szzDA



Edited by FlyingDutch on May 14, 2012 - 11:58 AM.

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Marc C.
Cleveland, Ohio.
Current love: Nacra 5.0
Old loves: Int Laser, Int Europe, Int 470, Int 420, Vaurien
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Wolfman

Are you kidding me!! I was the only Winnipegger on this forum (Manitoban for that matter). Welcome aboard!....

Wolfman, I saw Paul on Main last week. I was looking at the new Hobie Tandem Island tricat... He was very helpful and informative

Sure! I’ll take you up on that offer and come to Whiteshell . That's mighty nice of you. Thanks! I’lll PM you for contact info…

I don’t mind a road trip. MN would be ideal but I’ll drive further if needed.

Youtube Getaway vids very appealing! I’d like to get a used boat to start with.



Edited by snosheriff on May 14, 2012 - 11:40 AM.

klppurdy

i have a 4 kids and a hobie 16, i often take three at a time but usually two, trampoline gets a little busy with that.

I like that orange crush color!

jmecky

I think the Getaway is perfect for you. And like Wolfman said, once you have out grown the Getaway you can get a real rocket ship. I would recommend the Hobie 18 Magnum rocket ship, but since your a beginner it is just to much boat for you. The 18 Magnum has a lot of comfortable space because of the wings, and plenty of speed, it is also simple to sail compared to a NACRA, or Hobie Tiger. If you plan on trailering your boat and using boat launches, you really don't have to move it around the beach to much. I single hand my 18 80% of the time, and don't have to much trouble moving her. The Getaway is very durable comfy and kid friendly, its kinda like a miniature 18, because it has wings and a jib, like the 18. The Getaway is just slow, compared to other cats, but faster than most monohulls.

A used Getaway is approximately 3000$ - 5000$. So if you own it for a few years and take care of it you can sell it for a little less. A Hobie 18 can be bought for approximately 800$ - 3000$, which means the Getaway will easily pay for the 18 when you decide the Getaway isn't fast enough for ya. Also with the extra cash you can get some of the nice upgrades for the 18.

Before I bought my cat I rented a 16 and a Getaway about 10 times. So rent one a few times before you buy one because you may end up not liking it as much as you thought. My buddy once told me after a full day of sailing that all we did was sit on a boat and float around. He did not feel the rush of going fast, or the beauty of cruising the ocean with just wind power. I felt bad for him, kinda an immature guy, he rather be playing video games.

Do I have to trailer the cats or can I assemble them on shore? I pull a 30' camper (non 5th wheel) behind my truck so having the ability to take a boat in pieces would be awesome. I guess it depends on the setup time...

3-5k range sounds good. Yes, I'd like to rent one as well. I need to call around to see if that's available locally.

dsltrc

If Minneapolis is close for you I would look out for a supercat 15 or 17... Plenty of tramp space and large volume in the hulls.. and also is a boomless boatEdited by dsltrc on May 14, 2012 - 08:31 AM.

Who makes the Supercat? I'd like to stay with the most popular brands like Hobie & Narca... Maybe Prindle.

FlyingDutch; That tubing video makes the cat very applealing! Can all cats do that?

We have large lakes here... How do these cats handle big lakes with large waves? Weather can change quickly. When you are in the middle of the lake it gets rough and choppy very fast...

Quote

The kids and I had a blast pulling them behind it on the tube... http://youtu.be/trvgt1szzDA

Nice video - looks like tons of fun. We will try a tube next time I have my kids out.

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John Fricker
Prindle 16
Seabrook, Texas
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This is currently the best deal within an 8 hour drive of winnipeg. A Nacra 5.0 in really good shape for $1400 with trailor.

http://minneapolis.craigs…/hnp/boa/2971729751.html

I want this boat so bad I can taste it. But the distance and the Wife are stopping me. If you pick it up I will help you rig it and tune it up. Great boat!! No boards, no boom and plenty fast. PM me your e-mail and i will send you the pics the owner sent me.

D.

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

Who makes the Supercat? I'd like to stay with the most popular brands like Hobie & Narca... Maybe Prindle.

Boston Whaler, but that doesn't mean parts are available.

snosheriff

FlyingDutch; That tubing video makes the cat very applealing! Can all cats do that?

We have large lakes here... How do these cats handle big lakes with large waves? Weather can change quickly. When you are in the middle of the lake it gets rough and choppy very fast...

It all depends on pulling tubes, any cat can pull a tube slow. I would think the getaway would not have much less power than a Nacra 5.0 (note I didn't say it was faster) for pulling.

As for rough water, The cats can probably handle rougher water than you would think they could. Most of these were designed with the ocean in mind.

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Greenville SC

Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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snosheriff

Do I have to trailer the cats or can I assemble them on shore? .

I think the getaway can be assembled and dissembled rather easily compared to a hobie 16,17,18 etc.
Maybe an hour to setup or quicker once you know how to do it well.

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ALLEY CAT 1984 RED LINE HOBIE 18 MAGNUM
Sail # 10505 or 277
San Diego, Ca
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Quote

Maybe an hour to setup

1 hour to assemble?

Check out this video. This looks like a half day exercise for two people ...

http://www.youtube.com/wa…detailpage&v=g9Kdfi6TiYM

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Jack B
Hobie 17
BC, Canada
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From a fully broken down state (i.e. car topped) it will take anywhere between 4-6 hours ot assemble a cat. Depending on how good you are at doing it and how much you leave semi setup. I brought my cat out of the shed last Saturday, fully broken down, cross bars, tramp and all. It took me around 5 hours to reassemble. If you trailor the boat pre assembled and only have to make a few connections and step the mast you can do it in about a half an hour. I leave my boat on a dock with the mast up and in only takes me about 15 minutes to have the blocks and sails up and to be out sailing. Car topping or breaking down fully for a weekend trip is really not feasible. What a lot of people do if they go to the same camp ground all summer is trailor the boat out at the beginning and find a local resident (normally a farmer) and pay them a couple of hundred bucks to store the boat on the trailor on thier land when you aren't using it for the summer. Trailor storage may be cheaper than that even, depending on where you are and who you know.

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

FlyingDutch; That tubing video makes the cat very applealing! Can all cats do that?

We have large lakes here... How do these cats handle big lakes with large waves? Weather can change quickly. When you are in the middle of the lake it gets rough and choppy very fast...

I would imagine that all cats can pull a tube like that, all you really need is the speed. I have to say that we tried a regular (swimming pool) tube first which did not work as we had to connect the rope to a handle on the top. Once we got the more "professional" tube (It's a tube wrapped in a nylon bag and the rope hooks to the bottom of the bag) the fun really started.

Regarding the waves, I think looking for a boat with a straight hull is key when going on a choppy lake, the Nacra (and Hobie getaway as well) should both cut right through them. I would steer away from a Hobie 16, these boats pitch pole way too easy for my taste. I purposely sail my boat on a small lake today so that we will not get into any "scary" conditions as my kids are still young (6 and 8 years old). In a few years we will probably get on lake Erie which sounds more like what you are talking about. Keep in mind that sailing with youngsters overall will get challenging at times as you need to keep it interesting for them, apparently just going super fast and flying over the water gets boring over time(?). In the summertime I let them swim a lot and we do "man overboard" exercises ad nausea. This coming year we will be testing our "flip the boat over" and rightening skills. Also want to get them controlling the boat themselves. Bottom line, sailing is a great sport and with kids hooked to electronics all winter long it's great to share time and an interesting hobby with them, have fun!



Edited by FlyingDutch on May 16, 2012 - 09:34 PM.

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Marc C.
Cleveland, Ohio.
Current love: Nacra 5.0
Old loves: Int Laser, Int Europe, Int 470, Int 420, Vaurien
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Wolfman

From a fully broken down state (i.e. car topped) it will take anywhere between 4-6 hours ot assemble a cat. Depending on how good you are at doing it and how much you leave semi setup. I brought my cat out of the shed last Saturday, fully broken down, cross bars, tramp and all. It took me around 5 hours to reassemble. If you trailor the boat pre assembled and only have to make a few connections and step the mast you can do it in about a half an hour. I leave my boat on a dock with the mast up and in only takes me about 15 minutes to have the blocks and sails up and to be out sailing. Car topping or breaking down fully for a weekend trip is really not feasible. What a lot of people do if they go to the same camp ground all summer is trailor the boat out at the beginning and find a local resident (normally a farmer) and pay them a couple of hundred bucks to store the boat on the trailor on thier land when you aren't using it for the summer. Trailor storage may be cheaper than that even, depending on where you are and who you know.

Many lakes have dry storage areas close the marina where boat can be stored on the trailer for a monthly fee. The fee varies. There are some by me as low as $25 per month. One even has on teh beach cat storage for $25 a month. The problem is when I was checking into it the water was so high there was no beach and the cats all seemes to be haphazardly stacked on the mountain side on top of fallen trees and whatever was there.

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Dustin Finlinson • Magna, UT
Member: Utah Sailing Association
1982 Prindle 18
1986 Hobie 17
1982 Prindle 16
1980 Prindle 16(mostly)
1976 Prindle 16(mostly)
Check out "Prindle Sailors" on Facebook.
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Quote

My two cents, I have young kids myself and the NACRA 5.0/500 is the ideal choice of boat for this situation. It might take a little while to find one but this boat is fast, the straight hull shape prevents the boat from pitchpoling and there is no boom to crack your head on and no dagger boards to mess with. The boat can easily be sailed solo or together. The kids and I had a blast pulling them behind it on the tube... http://youtu.be/trvgt1szzDA

Marc - We dragged the kids (6 and 8) in a tube yesterday in 10-12 knots. It was a blast. The tube was pumped up tight so it planed easily. My wife was a little nervous while we had one kid in the tube, one laying on the bow, and occasionally lifting a hull, but it was fun. Let me know if you have other fun ideas for the kids on the boat. I'm thinking of rigging some big, easy to grip handles on the trap wire so they can hang out without a harness.

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John Fricker
Prindle 16
Seabrook, Texas
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