Hello,

I have recently moved to the Northern California coast and have been interested in buying a small beach cat but need a little advise on the right boat for me if possible.

I will be sailing it in two locations: flat water lagoons that are separated from the ocean by a thin strip of sand. (Think flat water lake right next to the beach with medium-strong winds from the ocean.) Also, want to sail it in the ocean. (Beach launch into 2-3' waves, 10-15kt. winds, and consistent 3-6' rolling swells without breakers). Ideally I'd like a boat that can be singlehanded but can comfortably accommodate two people and maybe a little gear for downwind ocean camping trips. I am not interested in circuit sailing so configuration concerns are only for functionality in my uses.

Please correct me if my logic is incorrect for cat sailing, but I am partial to something with daggerboards as I am used to using them in monohull sailing and it would make sense to me that in the ocean and in upwind conditions they are useful at the cost of having to manage them in the shallows and possibly of whacking one, which is a real possibility in my offshore locations.

There are a few candidates that stand out from my research but I am very open it other, better choices (price is a concern or I'd probably look into something in the 20's):

1. Narca 5.2
2. Hobie 18

A design feature difference that concerns me is that the Narca 5.2 seems to have little rocker and the hulls are fairly blade-like (narrow and squared) compared to the Hobie's 18 upswept nose (looks more like my sea kayak). Is there a functional difference in waves that a cat sailor needs to be concerned about? Or is this not a particular issue?

Thank you to all you cat sailors out there can help me with finding the right boat!

JJ Briggs
Arcata, Ca

I can't speak to the NACRA as I've never sailed one, but I've sailed the Hobie 18 for over 25 years. The 18 is a great boat, very versatile and fully capable of handling ocean swells and beach launches. It is a rugged design built for being sailed in the surf and landing right up on the beach. It is also very forgiving on the water with its deep, high volume bows which resist pitchpoling. The dagger boards may be an issue sailing on and off the beach, but really, most of the complaints come from people that are used to boats with asymmetrical hulls (non-dagger board boats). As long as you remember to pull them up before hitting the surf line, it's a non-issue. The H18 weighs in around 400LBS, so managing it on the beach solo could be a challenge. On the water you can roll up the jib using the roller furler and sail it as a uni-rig if you want. The 18 can realistically handle up to three average sized adults in moderate to strong conditions. In light conditions, you may be able to squeeze another person on board.

sm

The 5.2 is probably a better choice for solo sailing, the H18 is definitely better for double or triple handling.

I do not know what a 5.2 weighs off of the top of my head, I would imagine that its a little bit lighter than the Hobie. The Hobie will be a workout to move around on soft sand by yourself.

A 5.2 is a much cheaper boat, In my experience a $1,000 5.2 would equal a $3,500 Hobie 18. Keep that in mind.

The Hobie is easier to use IMO and parts are certainly easier to come by in a pinch. You did not mention your size, but it may be a handful if your not a big guy.

Don't count the board less boats out too easily. By yourself I think you would be hard pressed to find much meaningful difference in pointing. It also opens up the option of the Hobie 16 will is an excellent beach boat for solo and double handed work.

Welcome JJ,
I have a 5.2 and race in a fleet full of Hobies, I had a hobie 16 and have been on a couple 18's. You'll enjoy the 18 and the 5.2 without a doubt. I've never seen someone right a 18 solo, doesn't mean that it can't be done but I've seen guys ~200lbs that couldn't do it. With a righting bar I can get the 5.2 over solo at ~200lbs. I tried once solo without the pole and no righting bag but couldn't get it.
Parts are somewhat easier to find for the 18 but that is arguable also. Alot of stuff for Hobie was designed by Hobie and mass produced for use exclusively on Hobie, a lot of the blocks, travelers, etc, for the Nacra you can get off the shelf from Harken or a marina that supports sailboats, you won't limit yourself to catamaran specific or Hobie only stuff on everything, like I said, I haven't had a 18 but I like the flexibility that I have when it comes to parts for the Nacra more than I had with my hobie 16.
I prefer that "sea kayak" hull shape that you mentioned, it cuts through rough waters pretty nicely. There aren't many conditions that I won't take the 5.2 out in.
I'm going to make a broad statement of my opinion, If you'll solo more than 50% of the time I'd go with the 5.2, you can furl the head sail on either one if you wanted. If you are going to have the extra weight of more crew and gear often you'll probably want the extra buoyancy from the length and hull shape of the 18.

Good luck

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Cesar (Cez) S.
Hobie 16 (had a few)
Nacra 5.2 "Hull Yeah"
Vectorworks XJ - A class (not named yet)
West Michigan (Grand Rapids/Holland Area)
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Also, the price depends on the region it appears, talking about comparable years, Nacra's usually sell for more than Hobies up here in MI, they are more rare too. The Hobie 18 lasted longer than the 5.2 in terms of new availability but if you move on to compare the 5.5, inter 17 and 18 and the h18, the case remains the same. Its all regional though. And the upgraded 18 is a different ballpark (magnum and sx).

Also the 5.2 is about 340-350 lbs in weight.

--
Cesar (Cez) S.
Hobie 16 (had a few)
Nacra 5.2 "Hull Yeah"
Vectorworks XJ - A class (not named yet)
West Michigan (Grand Rapids/Holland Area)
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I am in the SF Bay area.. Cutting down my "fleet" I have 2 Nacra 5.2 and a Hobie 18 that could find a new home. My email is my ID here with a period spliting the Ls at Gmail.. Let me know if you are interested in either.. My thoughts are.. the 18 is better off shore and with 2 or more folks.. but a handfull there solo. The 5.2 smokes on lakes and lagoons and is quite fast solo.. She likes to sail with the nose close to the water surface and I have never pitch polled her She recovers quite well to a diging nose. Volume of the hulls I think.. Camping only with a tramp forward for gear for her. Cheers Hal

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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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i sailed my h18 solo for years , and was not very good at at it.

it is a tank, a beast, a monster, but weighs a ton and can be a real byatch to right after a flip, solo is real tough without a righting bag - even with a bag .. ya gotta have your technique in order

My recommendation is a mystere 5.5 if you can find one in good shape. There are very few out west that i know of but is a perfect fit for your needs (i am very bias as i one 1 and almost a complete other one that may or may not become a parts boat)

I personally would love a nacra 5.5 skeg boat but they are rare and my backyard already has 3 boats in it.

Thank you so much for the replies. I really do appreciate everyone's time and information.

I am leaning toward the Hobie for off shore use. The hull differences are pretty substantial and there seems to be a lack of data with the Narca 5.2 (probably due to production volume or my search quality) compared to H18. I know the H18 will work but am unsure of the offshore capabilities of the Narca but am not discounting its value-- just not sure for my uses either.

The boat will be used inland for fun sailing days with at least two on board but I will also be using this for long distance, downwind, and down swell runs in seas (swell only, breakers will only be negotiated when launching) around 6-8ft.

If possible:
1) can you please recommend any websites for information regarding the use of a 5.2 offshore?
2) can anyone speak toward the capabilities of the Narca is these conditions?

Thank you again,
John

If you go with the 18, look for wings. Very comfortable and nice in rough water to allow weight off the side of the boat while feeling secure on the boat. Also a blast to trap off of in calm water solo. Flying a hull when you start 2' above the water is a great experience.

I solo sail my 18, but always with people and boats around to help if issues occur. Also picky on wind/water conditions when solo.

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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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here is a video of a (smaller) nacra 4.5 to illustrate how the bow cuts thru the water. a 5.2 would have more buoyancy up front. i've sailed my 5.8 in the gulf of mexico with more wind and waves than this. the handling is very predictable. we have a sailor in our club who solos his 5.2 most of the time. probably weighs in between 200-210.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT88Vo6Zyxc
j

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Aquacat 12 (sold)...'87 Nacra 5.8 (sold)...'03 Nacra Inter18 (sold)
Venture 15 (sold)....'89 Nacra 5.8 (sold)...'91 Nacra 5.8NA (sold)
'99 Nacra Inter20 (sold)
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