I am a long time beach cat sailor, mostly a hobie 16. Need a little more boat, don't care for boards, how is the G-cat 5.7? I sail in pretty harsh conditions on the east and gulf coasts. It says its only 50lbs heavier. Than the 16 but I hear its harder to beach. It rates the same as a hobie 18, is it as fast? Not trying to race but I would like to at least keep my friends Supercat 20 within the horizon. Is solo righting possible with a pole? Would love some info to sway me one way or another

I have owned all three boats you mention H18, G-cat 5.7, and the SC20, the 5.7 is faster than the stock H18, the 5.7 is difficult to right solo without a righting bag or pole, the SC20 will horizon job either boat and can be righted solo using the Hyfield levers and shroud extenders, no pole or bag needed.

I posted a vid of my first sailing of the SC20 on beachcats, here's the link again:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31Telh7OM0M

The G-cat 5.7 is a great boat, I soloed mine all the time, she's also a great cruiser with the front tramp. A Supercat 19 is worth a look of you want to keep the SC20 in sight.

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'life is too short to drink cheap beer'
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Yowza!!! those SC hulls are super-sexy ........

And don't forget about the P18, built like a tank for beaching, boardless, super-stable platform and will keep the SC20 in sight on the horizon......

havliii

I posted a vid of my first sailing of the SC20 on beachcats, here's the link again:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31Telh7OM0M.

Looks like a really wet ride!

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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I just heard of G-Cat that is pretty close - and not too many $$$$!! I've been thinking about grabbing it to have a beach boat again. It has been a long time since I sold 'Lunatic Fringe'

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Lee - On the BIG Lake in MS

Harstil Kaulua 31 - Current Project Boat
Cal 25 - What ? Time to freshen it up again??
MC Scow 16 (1 in the water and 1 parts/project) SOLD
Capri 22 - What do you mean you wont deliver it??
Chrysler Pirateer 13 - new addition to the fleet
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Hi,

I've sailed a G-cat 5.7 for two seasons now, both inshore and offshore. I bought my boat from Havliii and it might be the best example of a G-cat existent. After going through a H16 and H18, this boat does it all. It can keep up with my sailing buddies' Supercats (especially in lighter air, but probably not Havliii's SC 20), has the front tramp for kids and family, has enough hull displacement to ride big guys and passengers fine - is roomy, easy to rig, comfortable - and no boards. Getting it on and off the beach and through the surf at the Outer Banks was no problem at all. I have righted it solo as well, but I'm 250 lbs - the only problem is those deep hulls ride pretty high and getting back aboard was a bit of a challenge. It's a drier ride than the Supercat too. At the Outer Banks, it dusted a H16 offshore. For me, I've bought my last cat.

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Hobie 16
Hobie 18
G-Cat 5.7
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Thank you for all the responses, I made my purchase this morning and test sailed her this afternoon. Very comfortable. I recommend it.

Jalex - one change I made when I bought new standing rigging (a wise investment on any second-hand cat, it's really cheap insurance) was to change to a Hobie-style front stay and bridle system. Salty Dog marine recommended it. They can make you up a complete set of wires, with nice results and fast service.

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Hobie 16
Hobie 18
G-Cat 5.7
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It looks like that upgrade has already been done, I have brindle wires and a chain plate just like my H16, I assume the original method was just a straight connect to the front cross beam? Do have some soft deck in front of the rear cross beam, but doesn't seem excessive. Are these cored decks? Probably have it fixed professionally