http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/boa/4530029618.html

What can you guys tell me about the GCat 5.0? I am not finding too much info on them. Are they good boats? Can I source parts and is there a market for it if I bring it back to life? I did read somewhere that there were two versions, one with a short mast (club sailing) and another with a longer one; don't know the length though. Thanks Pete

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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Peter, did you do a search on the site? There have been quite a dew posts re the G-Cat. Andrew (MN3) & the people down in Dunedin are the G-cat people, send him a 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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I found some information, but I do not have a good feel for the ability to find parts. I noticed a couple people parting out their boats here as well.

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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They are great boats. The front tramp makes them easy to rig and fun to play on. However, if you plan to race take it off. It makes for the ultimate pitchpole. I have no idea how easy parts are to come by. I regret selling mine.

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FYC, Nacra 5.2 "Chris's Flyer" & Nacra Playcat & Farrier Tramp
Previously owned: Trac 14, H14, H16, H18, N5.0, G-cat 5.0
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If you end up with a G-Cat there is quite a treasure trove of info in the Beachcats Identification album here.

http://www.thebeachcats.c…pictures?g2_itemId=80914

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

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How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
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Grand Rapids......http://grandrapids.craigs….org/boa/4511008740.html

Having owned and restored a GCat 5.0, I can tell u this, they are certainly not the fastest of boats, they are more like cruisers for island hopping. The front tramp is a bonus when it comes to storage space for kids or gear, but gets in the way when driving the boat hard in a stiff breeze, waves will catch the tramp and decelerate the boat hard. The rudder system is one of the nicest I have ever dealt with and easy to tune. Stepping the mast is a nightmare, with the fixed rotator spar attached to the mast base, the mast has to be at a 45 degree angle before you can pin the mast base to the ball, I cut the rotator spar off and replaced it with a SS pivoting mast rotator arm, made a huge difference. Original parts are hard to come by, but I have had success looking for parts/boats on www.searchtempest.com, I picked my GCat up in St Louis for $400 and replaced both tramps, all standing rigging, running rigging, re-did all the bearings on the trailer, repaired the sails, she is alive and well and sailing the Daytona Beach area.

http://www.thebeachcats.c…pictures?g2_itemId=86940

I saw Hans Geisler founder of G cats in Clearwater, FL this past Dec. Call Robbie Daniels at Red Gear Racing...he may know how to contact him.

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Kenny Boudreaux
2010 C2 F18 USA 323
Goodall Design "Southern Area Rep"
Owner of Sailboxes.com
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Well, I took a look at the boat. The rudders and castings were from some other boat that were modified further with some homemade cleats and tillers and bungees. Not a great setup. The crossbar bolt anchors were made of wooden dowels that were so rotted that they fell apart in my hands. The bolts were steel with steel jam nuts. The hulls felt tight, although one the seams needed some love; not a biggie. Then there were the tramp(s). When he unfolded it for me it was literally a trampoline tramp. He cold have sworn he still had them. I never got as far as unrolling the sails. He had the 27 foot mast, which was good.

It is a parts boat for sure. It probably could be revived to sail another day, but the lack of a tramp and appropriate rudder and castings would make it too expensive to fix. I will keep an eye on it and if he sells it for a dollar I will grab it for parts and post it up here for you G-Cat guys. Pete

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New Prindle 18-2 Owner
Former Prindle 18 Owner
Multiple Hobie 16s
Boylston Massachusetts
Webster Lake Indian Lake Narragnsett Bay in Rhode Island
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