usually the most important rule for buying a USED beachcat is
the best condition, affordable boat that is close
you say hobies and prindles are common where you are
then take some cash and go and look at a hobie18 with wings and a prindle18
if you get a good condition boat at the right price and after it a season it doesn't work out, you will be able to sell it at only minimal loss and buy something else
there are just too many variables, like your skillset and the amount of effort you are prepared to put in to answer the "best boat for me" question now
while both the hobie and prindle18 appear to best suit your stated purposes so far, i think you will find them too big most of the time
a nacra5.0 and a copy of "catamaran racing for the 90's" would be a much better start imho
Edited by erice on Jul 14, 2012 - 06:18 PM.
The “Best” single-handed cat
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Posted: Jul 14, 2012 - 06:14 PM
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Posted: Jul 14, 2012 - 10:54 PM
Thanks for the suggestion. I bought the book, "catamaran racing for the 90's" but I am not sure about the NACRA 5.0. When the time comes I will see what is available.
Thanks,
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Posted: Jul 15, 2012 - 01:33 AM
like a motorbike, most people eventually get their beachcat lying on it's side
how much do you weigh? at 175lbs? i'm not heavy enough to solo right my 17' nacra
so heavier would be better for a bigger boat, but not so heavy you can't do a few chin-ups or the climb back on the boat may be too much......righting systems like water bags or righting poles can help here but that's extra cost and mucking around that 90% of beachcat sailors don't do
Edited by erice on Jul 15, 2012 - 01:35 AM. -
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Posted: Jul 15, 2012 - 02:31 PM
I was out soloing my Nacra Inter-18 yesterday. I have video, I'll try to get posted. The issue with single handing a big boat is if you dump. I have a 50/50 chance right now based on this years statistics, I need a gust to get the mast moving. The last time I bone-headed dump'd in light winds I needed a wind surfer to give me a mast flip. Yes, I need a righting bag.
here is a still from the video ...
The other thing is you need to be reasonably quick on a big touchie boat. Getting on the wire fast, tacking fast. My boat is as touchie as they come, but even a H16 will go over if you are sleeping at the helm with the the main cleated after a tack in 15 kts. A H16 is simple to solo, but you can't take all that weight. A H18 is great and you can bring 20 friends, but you need 20+ kts of wind to make it move.
Are you sailing off a catamaran beach? Get down there and meet the locals, find out what boats they have, partner up with someone, share swap trade. Different crew/wind conditions need different boats. Borrow your buddy's H18 when the family arrives and go soloing on your H16/Nacra 5.2/F-17 whatever.
Edited by nhanson on Jul 15, 2012 - 03:40 PM.
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nacra inter-18
CNBP
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Posted: Jul 16, 2012 - 02:13 PM
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/boa/3143045174.html
That's a H16 for $500. Looks very nice from the photo and you can solo it and race it, so satisfies 2/3 requirements.
Here's your H18, looks like it needs a good cleaning but hell it's $850.
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/boa/3142403421.html
Both very inexpensive, and I think both are worth taking a look at (The H18 especiall)
Hope you see this in time !
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Redondo Beach, CA
'80 Prindle 16.
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Posted: Jul 16, 2012 - 03:19 PM
Find the righting weight of the boat you want to buy, you need to be close to it or you are or will be screwed. It will end up on its side and then on the shore somewhere with or without you on it. I have a Hobie 18 and I can not right it by myself and I am over 250, I need help. My 5.5 Nacra can take two people and I can right is solo (or should be able too, have not dumped it yet).
A hobie 17 is a great boat for solo but not for two unless the total weight is under 250, the boat is just not made for any weight. I have a buddy with a Inter (nacra) 17 with spinnaker and it does double duty, he sails it 95 percent alone but when someone wants a ride he can take them. The kite does not have to be rigged or flown but it is a blast once you get use to the other aspects of the boat. His 17 is why I have my 5.5, they are similar in race trim.
I have righted a Hobie 16 solo and it will be by far the most available, our local club have been given 3 of them for our teen program so they are out there and usually not a lot of money. HTH, Richard.
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Lake Perry KS
H-18
N-5.5 UNI +spin
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