Hey All.. I posted this yesterday but it don't think it showed up, or at least I can't see it
Been lurking for a while, just signed up. I'm looking to make the transition from a mono hull to multi and have been doing some research on the board. I've been sailing for about 2 years so I'm not a total beginner but have had a few tails of woe, and do have some concerns around some of the "not at beginners boat" comments. I sailed on a Getaway on vacation and had a blast and it looks like H16 and P16 are pretty popular and available in my area.
My main concern is making that first transition from 2 hulls wet to flying one and going over hard. Really a matter of snapping a mast 30 minutes into my first sail. How common is that on a pitchpole or knockdown? Or not being able to right the boat solo. I'm 5'11' 210 so I should have some decent leverage...but will still carry a bag.
I'm not looking to race just buzz around trap out and go fast. I'm probably going to get a boat in the 1,500 range to start with and see where it goes. I should have a dry slip on a bay beach for next year. Besides soft spots and a bent mast what are some other things to watch out for?
Anyone on here sail Barnegat between Mantalooking rd and the 37 bridge?
Thanks in advance, -
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Bob Miller
1983 P16 Sail # 7312
"Miller Time" A work in progress; out of the water for 16 years
Barnegat Bay NJ
Beach Cat Lesson #1 - A free cat isn't
Find more Prindles on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/173120656090532/
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New Cat NJ
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- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Oct 11, 2011
- Last visit: May 14, 2014
- Posts: 104
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- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Mar 12, 2003
- Last visit: Feb 19, 2021
- Posts: 879
You will not need a bag under any circumstances. Important that when you get boat, tip it on side on the lawn, practice fetching line from where it's stowed, throw over high hull and tie appropiate knots so hands don't slip. When on water important to swim bow into the wind, get on hull & grab line (and mast will never break on capsize). At 140#'s, I've righted H-16 & P-16 many times solo. Pete -
- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Jun 17, 2011
- Last visit: Sep 24, 2023
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Snapping a mast is not a concern of mine. I believe is mostly only an issue on capsizing in the surf or similar event where the water is shallow and there is a force of some type trying to push the boat around. A sealed mast with a bob would eliminate any of that concern for me at least.
IMO the hobie 16 would be a fine first boat. I do not believe that smaller less powerful boats are as critical as they are made out to be for beginners.
Boat condition. Look for flex between the hulls by lifting one hull up and seeing how quickly the other comes up. Less is better. My beater H16 has 6" of flex in it. More than you want but it sails fine. Look for the rudders locking down. The tramp condition. And sail condition. Little things can really add up.
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Greenville SC
Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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- Rank: Lubber
- Registered: Sep 15, 2011
- Last visit: Sep 10, 2012
- Posts: 43
Hey I made the switch from small monohull to catamaran a year ago. I got a Prindle 16 and other than learning to have patience during a tack, it's a whole new world of sailing. I would recommend a prindle 16, I'm about your height, and 180 lbs and I carry a bag for weight in case I flip. I have sailed faster than my comfortable ability while on the wire in the ocean and never pitchpoled. The only time after 20+ times sailing I ever flipped it over was because my block and mainsheet were knotted with one-another and I couldnt uncleat before a light gust sent my boat slowly rolling over. With that said, just follow the routines they recommend here on the site about righting the boat, it's not horrific.
$1500 is a lot for a used 16' cat, so make sure you're getting something absolutely ready to sail that day, and trailer anywhere. The "I wanna make sure that never breaks when I'm sailing" bug will end up making you spend $1,000 or more on minor things if the boat needs "a little" fixing up. So, either keep your standards 9/10 high for a used boat, or aim to buy something around $600-$1000 and be ready to do work on it yourself. Replacing things is the best learning experience.
So I went from a 13' catalina to a prindle 16 and the excitement and adrenaline is so much better. If you sail cautiously you may never flip your cat, when you start to get comfortable with your ability and extend your limits, the risk of flipping is greater, but worth it.
Also, the prindle has larger hulls, more resistance to pitch poling, I personally feel like it slices through the water better. The only drawback is that the hobie rudder system seems pretty practical, whereas prindle made it difficult to get used to at first. Even hobie owners on this site admit that the prindle is the better buy for a 16' boat. Also, that's a great size to start with, I can sail 2 -3 people on it comfortably, and still it's perfect for light-medium (7-15mph) wind days solo. -
- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Oct 11, 2011
- Last visit: May 14, 2014
- Posts: 104
@ Bacho- the avitar pic Tellico? We took a trip down there spent a weekend in an 81 CJ-7 and broke a 68 bronco on schoolbus.
My concern about snapping a mast is more that the bay I sail on is pretty shallow about 6 ft or less on average. But it looks like cats don't go over that fast where the mast will slam through the water and hit bottom. I'll never turtle because the mast will hit the muck but is there enough pressure on it to bend it, or will it be a kickstand?
I had a hell of a first experience with my current boat, in the first 40 minutes my OB ran fine but the prop didnt engage and then my bilge flooded and we capsized and sunk. From that day forward the Admiral didn't like my boat. I'm trying to prevent a reoccurance of that. There was a hairline crack in the bailer well in the stern (inside the boat) and the marina said it was just a gelcoat crack nothing to worry about...they fixed it for free and covered everything I lost that day including sandwiched and the beer.
I'm going to pick up a few books and read more here.
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Bob Miller
1983 P16 Sail # 7312
"Miller Time" A work in progress; out of the water for 16 years
Barnegat Bay NJ
Beach Cat Lesson #1 - A free cat isn't
Find more Prindles on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/173120656090532/
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- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Jun 17, 2011
- Last visit: Sep 24, 2023
- Posts: 783
In my experience the mast doesn't hit the water and go straight to the bottom. It hits the water, stops and floats for atleast a few seconds. It will turtle at a speed dependent on the situation. Bobs have have there pro's and con's but I would suggest one for your shallow water since its not a good idea to turtle in that situation. Sometimes you want it to turtle it the boat is blowing away too fast.
Tellico is a good guess but that pic is from a private park in laurens sc. Anything worth going to at Tellico has been closed over concerns that the run-off is killing the native trout in the area
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Greenville SC
Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
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- Rank: Lubber
- Registered: May 04, 2010
- Last visit: Sep 15, 2012
- Posts: 84
I second the Prindle - I have had both the H and the P and IMHO the Prindle is smoother to sail with almost zero tendancy to pitchpole and is a much better ride when you have rookies onboard. It is also very quick in a decent wind, The jib is easier to handle solo than the H since it has no full battening and will not hang up on mast/halyards. There are often great deals to be had on these boats. Whichever you get you will have a real blast (I came from mono slugs also ;) )
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85 Prindle 16
"If you aint the lead dog the view never changes"
North Carolina
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