Hey all,
New member here. I have a little sailing experience. Learned in Boy Scouts back in the 70's, on a Sunfish. Did some catamaran sailing in Florida near the turn of the Millennium on a Prindle 16. This season I bought a couple of little foam lateen rigged boats - one is a Snark and the other one is of unknown manufacture, but seems a little closer to a reclaimed igloo cooler than the Snark does. I'm finding the foam boats, though fun and super convenient, are not great family boats. My wife really liked the cat sailing we did in Florida so that was her vote. I called one of my serious catamaran sailing buddies in Florida to ask for advice, and he offered to give me his old Supercat 17. I know, nothing more expensive than a free boat and all. But, sounds like the boat is complete and needs just a little work. I am sort of a project type person anyway. I've got a couple sewing machines, I made a sail for the igloo cooler, I've got a vacuum pump and some composite experience from my aerospace career. So, I'm going for it - just have to do the long drive from Northern Illinois to Southern Florida and get it. My goals for the boat are twofold: some easy cruising on light days with the family, and I'm sure my oldest and I will want to go out and scare ourselves. I'll be picking the boat up in December. My buddy is prepping the boat and trailer, and I'm rebuilding the rusty bumper and spare tire well of my 2000 Buick so I can safely bolt on a hitch.
That's my intro - more to come in the future.
Edited by waiex191 on Oct 07, 2020 - 10:21 PM.
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Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
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Future Supercat 17 owner, Poplar Grove IL
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Posted: Oct 07, 2020 - 10:00 PM
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Posted: Oct 07, 2020 - 10:16 PM
I've put a picture in my album and here is my shot at posting it:
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Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
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Posted: Oct 07, 2020 - 11:56 PM
You should get some sailing in while you are down there. Sounds like there are some free lessons to be had with an experienced cat sailor to boot.
Enjoy the boat ... it is great fun.
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dk
Blade F-16
Hobie 14
Corsair F-242
Mirage 25 (Sold)
Hobie Tiger (Sold)
Hobie Tiger (Sold)
TomCat 6.2 (Sold)
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Posted: Oct 08, 2020 - 08:59 AM
Thanks! Not sure we will have time on this trip, but we will see. One of my retired former coworkers is an avid sailor and I we took his Capri 14.2 out this week. It was good experience sailing as a team and also running the jib. He has sailed cats before but I don't think he is the guy to go to. There are a couple of guys I've met at my local lake who sail cats there. I'll get to know them better.
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Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
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Posted: Oct 08, 2020 - 12:37 PM
Good luck
They are great boats, and once you get past the VERY Heavy mast, the rest is a breeze - pun intended.
I love my 15
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Supercat 15
Windrider 17
Several Sunfish and Sunfish clones
Ratboat built from Zuma and Sunfish parts
Shallow water sailor in the Delaware Bay
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Posted: Oct 08, 2020 - 12:40 PM
https://owners.aquarius-sail.com/phpbb3/
Welcome, If you don't already have it here's the SC owners forum.
Edited by gahamby on Oct 08, 2020 - 12:42 PM.
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'82 Super Cat 15
Hull #315
Virginia
Previously owned: '70 H14, '79 H16, '68 Sailmaster 26, '85 H14T
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Posted: Oct 08, 2020 - 02:10 PM
Thanks all, and no I hadn't found the SC owner's forum.
The current owner had bought materials for a gin pole to raise the mast. That will come with the boat.
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Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
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- Registered: Oct 20, 2011
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Posted: Oct 09, 2020 - 09:40 AM
That gin pole will come in handy.
Aquarius has been great for me and I have learned quite a bit on the owners forum.
Have purchased NOS sails, both job and main, as well as many smaller components and rigging.
Always had great experience with the folks at Aquarius
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Supercat 15
Windrider 17
Several Sunfish and Sunfish clones
Ratboat built from Zuma and Sunfish parts
Shallow water sailor in the Delaware Bay
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- Registered: Oct 07, 2020
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Posted: Dec 05, 2020 - 01:43 AM
My buddy has gotten new wheels, tires, and bearings on the trailer. I'll be keeping the old ones as spares. I plan to leave in a little over a week.
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Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
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Posted: Dec 05, 2020 - 09:33 AM
Very nice. Looks like a good score with the galvanized trailer, beach wheels, and cat box.
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Pete Knapp
Schodack landing,NY
Goodall Viper,AHPC Viper,Nacra I20
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Posted: Dec 05, 2020 - 10:35 AM
Thanks. It was a project that he was sharing with a friend and co-worker. Unfortunately the co-worker died in a plane crash and he lost his enthusiasm. Along the way they rebuilt the trailer as it had rust issues, and it has not seen water since the rebuild. The stays are in poor shape and he is afraid to rig it. He has all the cables and thimbles, I just need to refabricate them. The purpose of the hobby is to collect tools so I'll be buying a swaging tool.
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Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
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- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Feb 05, 2011
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Posted: Dec 07, 2020 - 09:58 AM
Swaging 1x19 SS wire rope is a bitch!
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'82 Super Cat 15
Hull #315
Virginia
Previously owned: '70 H14, '79 H16, '68 Sailmaster 26, '85 H14T
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Posted: Dec 07, 2020 - 02:45 PM
I take it you have done it before then. What is hard about it?
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Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
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- Registered: Jun 30, 2018
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Posted: Dec 07, 2020 - 03:43 PM
Yup! Feel your pain. 2 tips:
1) Get GOOD, real wire rope cutters. Not "cable cutters", which are designed for copper, but these: https://channellock.com/product/910/ This makes the absolute best difference, because the jaws are the right kind of steel and cut the cable very, very clean. The ones in Home Depot only last so long; like MAYBE half a dozen cuts.
2) Get another hand or 2 to get the thimble to stay snugged up while you swage the cable. Best with 2 people, but i've rigged up a vice to work reasonably well and just pinched the end with pliers to hold the wire in place, then get the swage tool and crimp once it's pinched lightly and holding. Follow up with a gauge. The first ferrule is the holding crimp, the second is to keep the cable from fraying so much (and adds a little back-up), so space accordingly. There are some really, really good videos out there; mostly from theatrical groups that do this...
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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
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Posted: Dec 07, 2020 - 05:00 PM
Thanks Chuck! Over in the aircraft community nicopress is the tool of choice for control cables. What do sailors use?
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Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
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- Registered: Jun 30, 2018
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Posted: Dec 07, 2020 - 06:42 PM
For me, it depends... If it's standing rigging, I just go to my local rigging shop and have the roller swage top end stuff. Mostly because it's safer and known to last for critical loads, but it's nice that there are also zero sharp edges up high. By going to a great shop and getting high quality, 516 stainless and good fittings, I figure I'll get at least 3 years minimum, and likely much longer since I power wash my boat and hardware down with soap and water after each session.
For other applications, I have one LIKE the nicopress, but don't know the brand or exactly when I came into it. The sleeves are always nicopress as is the gauge. But, I'm only doing trap wires and misc. gin pole guide wires, etc. on the boat. Once you get the tools and find out how well this works, you end up doing bench swings, etc.
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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
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Posted: Dec 08, 2020 - 04:46 PM
Compared to 7x19 wire rope 1x19 is really stiff. What the other posters said just about covers it.
When I made new standing rigging for my SC15 I borrowed Felco wire rope cutters and an actual Nicopress crimper from the opera company I was working for. The real tools make all the difference. I made a "U" shaped jig that I could push the wire rope and thimble into. I too went with two sleeves per end.
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'82 Super Cat 15
Hull #315
Virginia
Previously owned: '70 H14, '79 H16, '68 Sailmaster 26, '85 H14T
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Posted: Dec 08, 2020 - 05:16 PM
What is standing rigging? Is that the same as the stays? I'm new to this and don't know all the terms.
I do have an advantage that I'll be sailing in fresh water and the cat will live in dry storage when I'm not sailing it.
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Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
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Posted: Dec 08, 2020 - 05:36 PM
Yes, Standing rigging is the forstay, bridle, and shrouds (side stays). Running rigging is the sheets, halyards, traveler control lines. I guess the trapeze wires are somewhere in between.
No matter the environment the boat is in, use the best stainless steel you can afford for the rigging. Rust never sleeps.
You also might want to sell the boat. Non stainless rigging components would be a liability.
Tom Haberman at Aquarius will sell you a complete rigging package. Yeah it will cost you but it will be righteous.
If I was to replace my standing rigging today I would probably go that route.
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'82 Super Cat 15
Hull #315
Virginia
Previously owned: '70 H14, '79 H16, '68 Sailmaster 26, '85 H14T
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Posted: Dec 14, 2020 - 06:16 PM
My trip is delayed. My oldest has come down with some symptoms. Bummer.
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Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
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