Catamaran or not?
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 07:44 AM
I am trying to decide on a sail boat to buy. I'm thinking either a beach cat or a laser. I will be sailing it in the ocean and bays, with a crew from 1-4 people. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks -
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 07:56 AM
Kinda an apples and oranges comparison. I will say that your now going to have any fun on a laser with more than one adult on it.
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 08:02 AM
neither will accommodate 4 people (comfortably) -
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 10:19 AM
Agreed, a Laser is really a solo boat, and you'd need a 20' cat (Supercat 20?)to reasonably accommodate four adults, an then that'd be just cruising, even twenty footers are two man boats.
Edited by davefarmer on Jan 27, 2014 - 08:26 AM. -
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 10:55 AM
As a prior laser sailor I can speak from my own experience that your laser is not going to hold anyone but yourself. On mine I took my (then) 3 year old son a few times and it was not fun! Then I got my Nacra 5.0 and was able to take him and 3 of his buddies on board without a problem and pull a tube behind the boat, etc (lots of fun). Now my kids are 8 and 10 and I gladly take both of them on board at the same time but that's my limit. We tried 4 but constantly reminding people to stay off the lines is getting a bit annoying, also it really kills the speed of the boat!
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Marc C.
Cleveland, Ohio.
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 10:56 AM
Hobie Getaway :)
Tim
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Tim Grover
1996 Hobie Miracle 20
Two Hobie 14's
1983 G-Cat Restored
Memphis TN / North Mississippi
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 11:03 AM
There are too many important factors to give an answer, but the crew of 4 would determine the options by itself, you should probably review how important it is or specify if you are talking about 4 adults or a combination of children and adults.
The Hobie Getaway is the only beachcat that I think would accomodate four adults. It is a family or recreational boat, with lots of buoyancy and a big trampoline without daggerboards or lots of lines on it. But because of that it is very slow in comparison to other cats. Many people (including myself) will find it boring. Even if you think it would be fine for you, after a couple of years you may end up with the same conclusion. It only depends of what you are looking for. If it's more about lazy sailing with your family, it might work. If you are looking for performance and speed, then you start sacrificing tramp room, simplicity, speed of rigging, etc.
If you were talking about a family of two adults and two children or teenagers, then depending on the total weight, a Nacra 5.7 would work on moderate conditions. Certainly not ideal but probably a good compromise if you like a more sporty boat and most of the time you will have 2 on board, and sometimes 1 or 3.
With cats it's not about room but mostly about weight versus buoyancy. If the boat is overloaded it will spray a lot more and you will be more prone to pitchpoling, (that's why I say under moredate conditions only for the N5.7). It's also about all the control lines on the tramp that the crew (particularly inexperienced) will be sitting on, making it very difficult to tack.. A boomless is probably good idea too for safety if you have a tramp full of people.
If you really are thinking to have 4 on board very often, maybe a bigger monohull would probably be a good option if you don't like the idea of the Hobie Getaway. Monohulls and cats are just different things, both are fun and it's very unlikely that you find an impartial advice on that choice on a cat forum..
Edited by Andinista on Jan 27, 2014 - 12:10 PM. -
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 12:06 PM
If you are intending to sail in different places every time, for a day or two, then launching and rigging become very important factors. It's not easy and not fast to rig a cat solo (totally possible but not trivial). If you are married and your wife is not the kind that will help you out, she will most likely criticize you for taking so long..
). For launching you need a good ramp or at least to be able to put the boat on the beach and continue with beachwheels.
On the other hand, you can rig and move a Laser much easier, even without trailer and dolly. (but for four you might actually need two lasers ....)
Edited by Andinista on Jan 27, 2014 - 12:11 PM. -
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 01:41 PM
Glad you found us and are considering a beachcat to get into sailing! We may be a little biased towards catamarans here though.
Seriously, the Laser really is meant to be a solo sailor and since it is much more narrow than a catamaran and also a technical dinghy with lots of lines and cleats there is not much room for even small crew.
You mention 1-4 crew but not how big these crew would be, weight and size of the crew are very important considerations on which beachcat to choose.
Where are your Oceans and Bays located? There might be some local folks that could take you out for a test sail to get a feel for what you would like best.
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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 03:55 PM
I would be sailing in Massachusetts and of the coast of Maine. Would have probably two or three kids and an adult, which is why I was leaning towards a cat. I just am not sure which one would be best. Sometimes I might take it out single handed which would be important for weight distribution. -
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 03:58 PM
I also want something fast and just a lot of fun to be on!!! -
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 04:29 PM
I grew up on a Laser and a Hobie 16. For the H16, if you are talking about adults, I agree that one crew is the target, two crew is acceptable and not uncomfortable. For kids, it is about the same equation, just because you have to keep up with everyone. However, my family (father, mother, sister, and I) used to sail from James Island, out of Charleston harbor to the beaches on a Hobie 16. We had a great time. I recall my mother or father taking another adult and me for a sail, and that was off shore.
When I skippered, I usually had only one friend with me. However, we had enough beer and wine-coolers on board to equal another adult. We compensated by leaving behind all non-required-by-law safety gear. That was OK back then because I knew everything and the wind blew on-shore
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On the laser, I usually sailed by myself. I probably first went with a parent, but my memory does not reach back that far. I never hauled any gear with my Laser, but I have some co-workers with Lasers, and they go camping with theirs.
The above posts are correct. A Laser is a great boat, and easier to rig, but is limited in how much crew and gear can be stowed. I believe the cats can haul more crew than indicated in the previous posts, and I recognize you will go much faster with the target crew.
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Ted
Hobie 16
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 04:31 PM
So definitely a cat but which one should I get? -
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 04:48 PM
What's the top of your budget?
Usually depends a lot on what you can find in your area. The easiest to find used catamaran is the Hobie 16 and it makes a fine first boat, with the added advantage that once you have some experience you can resell it for close (or more) than you paid for it.
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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 04:52 PM
mmcquade,
I am in Mass as well. I had the same dilemma. We sailed hobie16s for years, had kids, stopped sailing and now are back. My girls are now 15 and 18. Oh, and I have a 70lb dog. The 16 just doesn't do it for piling people, so I wanted more buoyancy. I looked at the Getaway, and although it is a great boat, I knew I would miss the performance of our old hobie. So I went looking for hobie18s, Prindle18s, and nacra 5.7s. I wanted something simple, fast and the ability to pile people. All fit the bill. I found a Prindle 18 last fall and had the chance to sail it a few times before it got too cold. Freakin' awesome boat! It can move. I had my dad and one of my kids on it and we practically had the boat vertical; it never skipped a beat, even with 550lbs on it. I was lucky though, they are hard to come by in New England. Where are you located in Mass? Pete
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 05:14 PM
Were located north of Boston, and thats exactly what I want Ill have to take a look at those!! -
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 05:51 PM
The Hobie 21 Sport. Not the fastest catamaran but would work well for what you want to do. Don't confuse it with the Hobie 21 SE. I had a friend with the 21 Sport and it not only has the regular trampoline, it also has a tramp that goes from the front crossbar to the tips of the bows. There is a lot of room on this cat. It can be sailed with 2 and for those days you want to have 3-4 it will work. The extra weight will hurt your speed but it's all about getting out on the water and having a great day. We've taken his 21 Sport out with 3 crew when the winds hit 20-25, setting on the wings it's a fast, fun, and fairly dry ride. The 21 Sport is not a racing catamaran, it's built for families and fun while still giving a thrill. I suspect they might be hard to come-by. Not sure how many were made. No matter which catamaran you buy, you will have a blast!
There are a few Hobie 21 Sport videos on YouTube: Here is a link to one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIqAhV_ZEHA -
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Posted: Jan 27, 2014 - 06:59 PM
I agree with others -- Getaway is your best bet. H21 SC would be way too much to handle for 1 adult + kids.
There is also a new boar from Hobie -- T2. It is quite like Getaway, but slicker and newer design cat. It lacks forward tramp and wings however.
But seriously -- you need 2 boats: a Laser for yourself and a Getaway for your family
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Jack B
Hobie 17
BC, Canada
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Posted: Jan 28, 2014 - 10:58 AM
How do I transport the mast of any hobie cat? When I just looked at the 26' length I'm starting to wonder how that is possible -
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Posted: Jan 28, 2014 - 11:09 AM
Easy, over the top of boat and car.
Edited by fxloop on Jan 28, 2014 - 11:11 AM.
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Tim Grover
1996 Hobie Miracle 20
Two Hobie 14's
1983 G-Cat Restored
Memphis TN / North Mississippi
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