Well, I took the SolCat 18 out for the first time yesterday and launched it at the local lake (Folsom).
Made a series of mistakes, the first one being how late in the day I started to head out. I didn't get to the lake until 6:15 pm and it took me an hour to launch (would have taken me longer but I practiced rigging at the house twice before). Winds 8-10 MPH.
Wind was to my back, so I figured I would simply hoist the jib to get out far enough into the water and then head up into irons so as to get the main up. First problem...the starboard rudder wouldn't go down! Second problem, the startboard hull still taking on water even after repairs.
I figured out pretty quick that just using the jib alone it was getting pretty hard to round up. Normal?
When I finally got up dead into the wind I had my daughter hold the tiller while I hoisted the main. Damn thing wouldn't go up all the way. The tack was about a foot below the boom instead of right above it.
We got the main up as good as possible and did some beam reaches for a while but always turning away from the ramp which was getting us further and further.
By the time it was ready to leave we had to tack upwind and that's when I figured out how much water was in the starboard hull...I had a real hard time completing my tacks. We finally got near the ramp but I didn't want to ground with the rudder or dagger boards, so about 100 feet before getting to the ramp I pulled the sails and we figured we would paddle back to the ramp. Well, the wind was too strong and we were not making any headway! We ended up away from the ramp and walked it back into the ramp area.
Now, a lot of this is just me trying to learn to sail this thing right. But how do you deal with hoisting your main when you launch downwind? Does your jib generate enough power to head up and it's just my poor technique?
The main is fully battened and it's a bear to get that thing up quickly. I can attach the halyard to the head but can't really get the sail into the track because it takes a lot of room (bolt rope) and doesn't luff over the boom right when I lower it. If I had slugs on the main I would be able to lower it well and fold it over the boom easily, ready to raise it as soon as I get the boat in the water and turned the right way. Any advice?
What's the best way to handle getting back to the ramp? If it were a beach I would head right into the beach and pull the dagger boards up just before getting to it...but the ramp is concrete and I don't want to run the cat into it :)
Even though this first trip didn't go very well, I have to say that coming from monohulls...wow! There wasn't that much wind and on some of the reaches I really got a kick out of how much speed this little cat had. Even my daughter was cheering and grinning ear-to-ear! I am hooked.
Dan
first outing...difficulties
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Posted: Jul 08, 2009 - 07:08 PM
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Posted: Jul 08, 2009 - 07:41 PM
I's there no beach at all close to the ramp or beach where you can launch right off the beach. I am pretty new to this as well but I have yet to launch from a ramp at all. I usually rig the jib on the trailer and furl it manually. (We're usually camping somewhere close to launch area so I can do all this way before launch time.) I would get the boat in the water then get out of everyone's way at the launch area turn it around in the low water and beach it right away into the wind then raise the main. Set the Jib and Main out a bit for downwind. Get the twerp on the boat turn it around push off and jump on. Sucks to have to come back into the wind. The most common place I sail the wind usually blows into shore so it's not to hard to get home.
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Dustin Finlinson • Magna, UT
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Posted: Jul 09, 2009 - 12:02 AM
I'm glad you got back ok and were able to see the advantage of beachcat sailing, welcome aboard!
Some of your problems related directly to your mono background.
Raising the main after you launch the boat is something dinghies and big boats do, but beachcats raise sails on the beach unless there is absolutely positively no other option. You should practice hoisting and hooking the main on land, if you don't have a beach then point the trailer into the wind and practice that way. Each boat has it's quirks.
Also make sure the mast track is clean as well as the bolt rope. It is possible for an old sail to have such a "puffed up" bolt that it binds in the track.
After you make sure track and sail are clean, spraying the bolt with McLube Sailkote will make things easier.
On most beachcats it is much more difficult to raise the main on board, and the jib is mostly impossible.
There is a technique for launching with a direct offshore breaze where you leave the sails loose and sit on both bows (pointed towards shore, into the wind) the boat will drift straight back downwind, when you are free of obstacles you lower the rudders, steer onto a reach and take off.
Don't give up, just ask questions about anything that seems hard, it all gets easier pretty quick, I promise.
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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
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Posted: Jul 09, 2009 - 12:09 AM
You need to get very familiar with your rudder system, as you well know, sailing is a balancing act, you balance the angle of the wind on your sails using 2 methods:-
1) pulling your sail in or letting it out using the mainsheet system of blocks and pulleys.
2) turning the boat into or away from the wind.
If your mainsheet system is good and you are comfortable with using it, kudos, I don't know if the SolCat has a traveler car but I'm guessing it does, you will have to learn how to use that as well.
I cannot stress just how important your rudders are, well setup rudders will make all the difference between a good day sailing or a lousy day. Take the rudders apart and learn how they work, strip down, clean, lubricate, re-assemble, take out any slop by using nylon shims from your local ace hardware store, spend a little TLC on your rudders, it's worth it in the long run.
Next, stop that leak, repair and then pressurize hull gently and use the old soapy water in a spray bottle to check for other leaks. Once you've got the boat ready, just go sailing, as much as possible, you will learn as you go.
As for raising the sail, on my H16 there are 2 nicopress sleeves attached to the the halyard 2' and 4' respectively away from the halyard shackle, these sleeves sometimes catch the halyard hook up on the mast if you're pulling straight down, you have to pull the halyard at a 30-40 degree angle away from the mast, towards the bow, doing that while you're standing on the boat can be difficult, better to raise the sail on a beach although I have done it standing in waist deep water because of no beach and concrete ramps. Most lakes are not cat friendly, it's the motorhead stigma, get used to it. You have to pull hayard at an angle while feeding boltrope into track, it gets interesting.
Once you have the main up, with the cat pointing to the beach, facing the wind, climb aboard and manually push the boom out, catch some air and back the boat up into deep water using your rudders to steer, with 8-10 knots of wind, no big deal, when you hit deeper water, use reverse rudder to swing stern, sheet in jib, when jib catches air and boat begins to tug forward, tighten main and take off. If you're not too sure about backing the cat up as above, then just paddle backwards, just keep the boat into the wind and make sure all lines are uncleated.
Getting back will be a lot easier, just use your angles off the wind, remember though that getting back to your point of origin means heading into the wind, and takes a whole lot longer, compensate for drift.
Now get out there and sail!
edited by: turbohobo, Jul 08, 2009 - 11:10 PM
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TurboHobo
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Posted: Jul 09, 2009 - 10:58 AM
I know your pain!!!
I keep my boat on a floating dock with other cats in a marina. The only real option is to sail or drift in or out under sail. You should raise your sails facing the wind, NEVER downwind. If you have to drift backwards you can lift your daggerboards (if applicable) and your rudders. SHEET OUT EVERYTHING! Position crew weight forward. For the most part the boat will drift directly downwind.
Please note if you have asymmetrical hulls this is a tougher maneuver, because the hulls are constantly digging into the water and trying to put the boat on course.
Just remember you and your crew should know how to stop the boat in the quickest manner possible. -
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Posted: Jul 09, 2009 - 02:43 PM
Thanks all.
So now I know, put the boat into the water and THEN raise the sails BEFORE heading out into open water. I was worried about what the cat would do if I raised those sails and then turned it downwind with such limited space in between the floating docks. I'll get on the bow next time and just slowly blow out. Thanks for that tip, Damon.
My big problem was that I sailed downwind using just the jib (main was down) and then couldn't get the boat completely turned around upwind under jib alone. You guys are right and I learned it the hard way...getting the main up while the cat was bobbing took a while. Especially since I had to control the rudder (only had one working) at the same time to try and keep the thing pointed as directly upwind as possible.
There is a small beach area next to the docks where I launch from...but there are rocks under water in areas approaching the beach. I didn't want to take the chance of scraping the bottom on those.
There is another ramp that has some nice beach area, it's used by the PWC's and has very little slope to it. I don't like backing into a ramp with little slope because it means sticking my rear differential/axle under water. I would have to do that just to get the trailer far enough into the water to float the cat off. Unhitching the trailer and walking it into the water at the PWC ramp is a possibility. I could then float the cat over to the beach and hoist the sails.
Keep in mind that this is a lake, so the wind isn't going to necessarily be coming from directly offshore or onshore. It could be hitting me broadside, but I hear what your saying about just pointing the cat upwind and hoisting BEFORE I head out. I'll pull on that halyard at more of an angle and see if I have any luck getting the main all the way up.
I've got the boat out front and am going to start sealing the starboard side deck to hull joint and then pressurizing it as advised.
I'll try again next midweek when there aren't as many motorboats on the lake. I really don't want to be rushed into launching or retrieving and the lake gets pretty busy on the weekends.
Thanks for all the advice,
Dan
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Posted: Jul 09, 2009 - 03:41 PM
I never let my trailer axles go under water. Just back in till the water is just below the axle then push the boat off the trailer. Trailer bearings last a lot longer. My NACRA only take about 5" of water. -
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Posted: Jul 09, 2009 - 04:33 PM
Best is to have a launch site that is in the lee of some hill or tree line so you can drop the boat in with sails up. If the wind was at you back, was that the prevailing direction? In which case set up in the parking lot and raise your sails just before you back her down the ramp. Have you crew hold her in place while you park. (Don't let the motor boaters intimidate you.)
So I used to have to tie up at a slip with a bunch of motor boats as the NJ lake I lived on had no sailing beach. My slip was inside by choice to avoid the boat wakes on weekends and faced into the prevailing SE winds. I had a furling jib which is one thing you should consider.
I used to drift out and paddle to a quiet spot, face into the wind, rudders up, and raise my sail/unfurl the jib. I got pretty good at this in all conditions (even the day after remains of a hurricane- that was stupid ..did more swimming than sailing that day), but...it was a Hobie Turbo 14, not an 18. No way would this ever work on my Nacra. I was usually able to sail back into my slip and dropped the main once I'd tied up.
As far as easing up to the ramp. Sail in as close as you dare. Have one person hold the boat and go get the car. Pull her out with sails up and deal with them on the trailer.
Don't let the stink pot drivers pressure you! You have as much right to be there as theyr do. -
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Posted: Jul 09, 2009 - 04:55 PM
You have MORE RIGHT! YOUR A CAT SAILOR! damnit
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Posted: Jul 17, 2009 - 11:04 PM
Dan,
Thought about hoisting the main.
Having someone feed the main and sliding it up the mast helps. I have found the main raises easier with time, especially after silicon spray.
Also, be sure the boom is not connected to the main while raising. I only made that mistake once. The added weight and force of the boom will make that last foot almost impossible.
Happy sailing, -
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Posted: Jul 17, 2009 - 11:12 PM
Actually, I did have the boom on when I hoisted it.
Dangit.
Thanks for the tip.
Dan
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Posted: Jul 18, 2009 - 09:39 PM
Been there done that. It makes all the difference in the world.
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Dustin Finlinson • Magna, UT
Member: Utah Sailing Association
1982 Prindle 18
1986 Hobie 17
1982 Prindle 16
1980 Prindle 16(mostly)
1976 Prindle 16(mostly)
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Posted: Jul 20, 2009 - 07:42 PM
If you have the original rudder controls on the Solcat 18, then the wire you haul on to lower the rudder has a stop at horizontal and a stop at full down. You can put the rudder at horizontal and get minimal steerage. If you have newer nacra style rudder controls, it's just a rope and clamcleat, so you can cleat at half down.
I drew a line (with sharpie) on my daggerboards at deck level for 0, 6, and 12" extension below deck. Helps a lot to prevent grounding.
I've also found that popping one rudder and dagger up completely early in the beaching process helps a lot. then there's only one to deal with, and there's much less scrambling at the last second.
Dan (Yes another Dan with a Sol Cat 18) -
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Posted: Jul 20, 2009 - 10:56 PM
I just LOVE this forum! Learned so much already.
Ok, to the "first Dan" I did the same thing you did with raising the main about 18" short of the top ... Ive had my Solcat out 3 times since i bought it and this last time my father was hauling on the main halyard at an angle (we were out on the water too, but that wont happen again thanks to this thread :) ... and I was guiding the rope bolt in its track [it kept getting stuck on the batten caps].
That worked much better and we were able to get the little metal crimp thing on the halyard over the mast head and hooked under the metal guide thingie (havent learned all my terms yet - sorry) which was about 18" from the mast head on the fore side of the mast. It was great not having to duck as low when tacking! haha
Didnt know if you discovered that yet ... I didnt know about it until i came accross someone mentioning it in a forum and saying you can tell a newbie cat sailor cause his sail doesnt go all the way to the top of his mast!
The sunfish I grew up sailing never had that little thingie.
But I do LOVE my boat, it still needs lots o' work, but dang is it fast! :)
Happy Sailing!
RG
ps "Dan #2" I laughed out loud when I read your signature! Thats awesome
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Posted: Jul 03, 2011 - 12:26 PM
Love my SOlcat, fast boat and very stable. The Main and jib have to be set before you leave the dock/beach for your sail. I cannot even imagine setting the sails up on the water. In addition, The cunningham is very difficult to use. The 2:1 ratio used to pull the Sail down to get out all the rinkles isn't enough leaverage to straighten out the sail. I had to rig 2 blocks with hooks to pull the sail down all the way to the boom. 3:1 ratio makes it much eaier. Once the cunnigham is set, I remove the bolcks. The only time I loosen the cunningham is if your returning on a run. Otherwise keep it tight. Also I added a block to the outhaul where you attach the Clew to the boom. The new setup makes it very simple to work the outhaul on the water.
As another blogger recommended, The boat should not leak! My boat was solid, but I still found it leaking. By adding a drop of silicone to the rivets holding the Tramp, I stopped all the leaking. Now the boat never comes back with water.
These are old boats, so a little patience and some added silicone around all the potential leak sites will help out tremndously.
Happy sailing. And thanks to the others on this forum, I have learned alot about my old boat on this site. -
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Posted: Jul 03, 2011 - 07:12 PM
You should be able to round up under jib alone. I went out solo one day when the wind was 30 mph, I only had an hour to sail & wasn't sure of my ability in that wind, so I tried just the jib. It was surprising how fast the boat went under jib alone.
The jib is powering from the front of the boat, it would head up into irons quite easily.
If you are ever in the situation where you have to raise the main while drifting, it may be helpful to raise the rudders, & hang a small sea anchor,(your righting bag) from the mast. That will keep you pretty much into the wind.
I think you will find that once you try a bit of Mclube on the bolt rope, & clean the track,(steal one of your kids toothbrushes & scrub out any crud the full length) the sail will go up better. If you are not dead into the wind the battens tend to hang up as they enter the sail slot. Have your daughter feed them in til you get used to pulling with one hand & feeding with the other. Also watch for the ends of the battens hanging up on the shrouds if the sail is swung to the side. If it suddenly requires force, look around, generally something has hung up.
When you lower the sail, don't let it free fall, you will tear it at the batten pockets when they hang at the bottom of the sail slot.
If you can get a calm day, try the entire hoist business at home. That will point out any problems, & you can look with binoculars & see exactly what the hangup is. Just be sure it is dead calm!
The learning curve is steepest the first few days, things will go much easier the 4th time.
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