[quote=jackb][quote] That is why I am interested in a stay-less mast (or one with short stays.) I don't really what the trouble of stepping a mast each time I sail the cat.[/quote]
If you really want to eliminate the trouble of stepping mast, then Hobie TA could be your boat. It has carbon mast just pops into the the boat. I've sailed TA with my wife and kid (7) on (optional) trampoline.
Otherwise, stepping mast is not a big deal once you get use to it. It could be intimidating and dangerous at start. You may want to keep you kids away from the radius the mast may fall. You will need help of 2 adults first few times you do it. I use a winch and stabilize the mast with trap wires. This takes me 5 minutes single handed (H17).
H16 is without doubt a good starter cat. One other option for you is Hobie Wave. Wave is smaller cat with shorter mast (20'), whereas H16 mast is 26.5'. Shorter mast means easier to raise. Wave would be easier to rig and take care of at the cost of performance.[/quote]
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