Greetings,

I am curious about what size boat should be used when the majority of the time solo sailing is the only option.

Is a Nacra 5.2 managable? What other nacra boats would you recommend.

Do Hobie 16's work well for the solo sailor?

What other brands, models, sizes etc would you recommend to sail solo with? Thank you and happy sailing!!

Ed Eberhardy

I sail a 5.7 G Cat solo and have no problem operating the boat. Solo is much better than two because you are in total control. Not to mention lighter and faster. Just make sure you have some weather on your helm in case you fall off... the cat will turn and stall into the wind.

Hi,

I sail at 2001 Escape Playcat. So far, I've sailed it solo and with my wife. It sails very well either way, but you can really get some speed solo. I recommend it for solo use as it only has the one mainsail. It is extremely easy. My total sailing education includes a five minute crash course on sailing a cat in the Bahamas and reading about sailing principles online. With this little experience, I'm already able to get it up to high speeds.

The only downfall is that you need to have two people (on any cat really, unless you have mast-raising system) to raise the mast.

I also sailed a Hobie Wave in the Bahamas, and I'd highly recommend that for solo use as well. They go for about $4500.00 new, but are extremely difficult to find used. You may have better luck if you wait until the end of the season.

Overall, if you're looking for value and solo capabilities, I think most people would recommend the Hobie 16. While it does have a jib, adding a bit more complexity but more speed, you can pick up a used one pretty cheap.

There's my two cents. Overall, I like the Wave/Playcat due to the one sail and polyethelene hulls.



edited by: c9reeves, Aug 04, 2008 - 04:26 PM

all depends on your level of skill, confidence and where you will sail and how much performance you want.

If you are very new... i suggest a H16 or similar (prindal, etc) as they are a good size, weight and all around a good boat (rocker shaped hulls are good for surf and ok on flat water, the mast in manageable weight, etc). PLUS there are MANY of them around which is great for learning, and racing others in your class.

the 5.5 and up may be alot of boat for a newbie... especially in the ocean.

I would suggest a righting bag to everyone so you can right your boat when you capsize solo, but a necessity for solo righting a 17' and up.


If you are not a newbie... almost any boat under 20' should be ok to solo in regular conditions. in heavy air.... you may need crew... or depower with no jib... or carry cinderblocks for weight (kiddin)




edited by: andrewscott, Aug 04, 2008 - 04:33 PM

Thanks for the suggestions above! I really appreciate it guys. Does anyone else have any advice/suggestions on what boat to buy? Or better yet, Where to buy the boat? thanks!

do a search on the forums at catsailor.com... there are MANY discussions on what new boats are best and why

http://www.catsailor.com/forums/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=Test

You've heard most of it by now. One big consideration on sailing solo is the ability to right the oat alone. There are shroud extenders and water bag weights that make it possible to right a 2 person boat. The thing to keep in mind, once you are addicted to a cat, speed is the essence of cat sailing. When conditions are windy and you push the boat you will, from time to time, capsize. These are also the times you can get in the most trouble as you attempt to deploy some righting mechanism in heavy conditions. You could be into the surf on into the trees, depends on where you sail, so keep that in mind. I've 30 years of Hobie experience and have gone to a Wave now because I can right it easliy. It sure ain't the hot rod my original 16 was or the 18s that followed but it beats sitting on the beach.
Gator

I sail a Nacra 5.5 Uni and can right it, with nothing but a righting line, pretty easily by myself as long as there is enough wind to justify being capsized in the first place.

The issue that I have found with the cat rigged boat is being able to tack in waves. The waves tend to bounce the bow back out of the wind on the same tack as I started on. Obviously I am doing something wrong since I am relatively new to single handing a cat and grew up sailing keel boats with enough mass and momentum to carry you through the tack.

My guess is that I should be staying on the wire until the bow passes the wind, but this might be a problem that new cat sailors also run into.

Sound like you are on the right track. Your technique is very important when the wind picks up when tacking uni. It's also a timing thing. Caring as much momentum/speed into the eye of the wind and ease the mainsheet as you start across the tramp. Keep your weight to the rear which picks the bows up out of the wave/chop as you execute through the eye of the wind. The bows out of the water will help bring it around. Keep the mainsheet eased. When you get on the new tack move your weight forward again and let the boat pick up some speed before you sheet the main. Practice and feel the boat.

--
Philip
--

As Philip said, it is all timing and technique !

You dont (and shouldnt) be on the wire when the bows go through... as you will then be leaward and could cause a flip.

I am not sure i agree with keeping the main eased... i have found (when sailing uni, and/or without boards) sheeted (not hard, but in) works best for me.

I also wait about 2 seconds after the boom has passed over my head to shift my body (weight) to the other side.

If i blow the tack.. i have to reverse my rudders (as the boat stops or starts to reverse), ease the travler out and manually push the sail away from me.

try it several ways (best if you can work it out without lots of waves) and see where your weight should be, and sheet tention.



edited by: andrewscott, Aug 13, 2008 - 12:37 PM

I will try it out and see if it helps.

I wasn't having as much trouble on Lake Michigan (other than a bow over stern flip on a rogue wave), but Lake Lewisville seems to have a very short steep chop that is particularly difficult to deal with.
The wind speed on Lewisville combined with the shore effect also cause some equipment problems. My last time out I managed to break the halyard eye and tried to limp back in with the main held up by only the halyard. Eventually the halyard broke and I was towed back in by a sympathetic family in a power boat.

I'm in the midst of replacing the ring, the halyard, a batten that was broken on the tow and some gelcoat damage from the less than graceful return to dock without any kind of power. I expect it will be a couple of weeks before I am back out.

Any of the boats listed here are great. Nice thing about the Nacra's is the they don't tend to pitchpole so a more stable ride when solo on a trap. That said H16 is a classic! (So is a turbo 14 if you can find one)

I enjoy single handing my N5.8na but only on days when I am very sure I can't go over no matter what I do.