Ok, I've been reading as much as I can over the past few days about cats. I was actually about to buy a Laser 2, but then got interested in cats. I'm 60 years old 195lbs athletic and have sailed my whole life, but mostly on a Laser. I enjoy a nice windy day. I have a waterfront home on a large lake (Montreal), but it is a 6' seawall (usually 1.5-2 feet of water in the summer). I usually sail alone, but was looking for something bigger than my Laser to take others out. I'll probably end up getting a lift to keep the boat in the water, but there is a small public park one house over with a natural sort of beach that I could probably use to launch using a buggy (there are proper launch ramps further away, but still within easy sailing distance). Unfortunately there are power lines, so I'd have to take down the mast every time (main reason I think I'd end up getting a lift).
I'm currently looking at a few boats and would be interested to hear opinions on which one seems best. Ordered by lowest asking price (there is a spread of about $2kUSD between them). I haven't actually seen any of them in-person yet. I listed the year for the ones I know.
1. Mystere 5.5. New tramp, furling jib, very good condition. inc. beach dolly
2. Nacra 5.7. Hull needs some work (red ... I guess it has suffered some oxidation). Trailer inc.
3. 2005 Nacra F17. Owner does not know about it and I don't think he is a sailor (he bought it at an auction to resell). Appears to be in good condition. Includes trailer & dolly. A long drive to see it (6 hours).
4. 2003 Nacra 5.7. Excellent condition, custom cover. Includes trailer.
5.Nacra F18. Good condition, includes main, jib, spinnaker. Not sure if it includes trailer or dolly.
I'm trying to keep below around $4kUSD. No rush to buy, but obviously would be fun to have it to use this season.
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- 1974 Laser
- 2007 Nacra F17
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Searching for a cat
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Posted: Jun 28, 2024 - 06:23 PM
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Posted: Jun 29, 2024 - 10:44 PM
I've been sailing my F18 solo but it's a bit of a monster. I loved sailing it with my son as we got to hang out together, but he's off to work a thousand miles away now.
The Nacra 5.7 doesn't have daggerboards, only skegs. It won't point as high, but if you're not racing anyone, you probably won't notice. Skeg boats are much more forgiving if you bump the bottom.
I'm thinking about switching to a F17 myself, but I wouldn't normally take more than one other person out on it. I think the one you mentioned might be a few hours away from me. I'd have to sell my MK1 Nacra F18 first though. -
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Posted: Jun 29, 2024 - 11:32 PM
Hello
Good luck on you search. A Nacra F17 could be a good option. I am aware of the one you are talking about. It was an insurance write off with a broken carbon mast. Was originally listed with the broken mast, then showed up with a not broken mast, not sure if the original one was repaired or replaced. There is also one at Water Rats in Toronto listed on Kijiji if you decide that is what you want. -
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Posted: Jun 30, 2024 - 09:43 PM
Interesting. I find that F17 interesting also, but the seller has not been very helpful which makes that one difficult because I'm so far. For example I asked about the sails, rudders, and daggerboards and he hasn't even provided any pictures of them except when stowed away in the box. How do you know it was an insurance write-off? It also seems that it was originally a US-sailed boat based on the stickers on it. Yup, I saw the one listed in Toronto also, but it lacked a trailer and was a little bit more expensive (pushing it outside of my target price).
Edited by ght on Jun 30, 2024 - 10:46 PM.
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- 1974 Laser
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Posted: Jul 01, 2024 - 07:54 AM
When I sell a boat, I have the mast up and the boat fully rigged when the potential buyer comes over. If there's no wind, I'll run the sails up. I'll offer to take the mast down and go over the rigging process step by step. Sellers use the phrase "ready to sail" but most buyers have different ideas about what they have to do to make the boat right for them. Remember the old adage, "The sum of the parts is greater than the whole" and that really applies to older sailboats given how stupidly expensive everything is. As far as the boats you are considering, I think the Nacra 5.0 or Nacra 570 would be best. Any boat with deep dagger boards takes the "beach" out of beach cat sailing especially when you're alone. The difference in pointing won't be noticed.
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Bill Townsend
G-Cat 5.0
Sarasota
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Posted: Jul 01, 2024 - 10:37 AM
Sorry, I meant to say Nacra 5,7 not 5.0. As far as stepping the mast goes, do it enough times and you'll develop a system for it even if you're alone. It adds about 15 minutes to my set up time. Sure, mast up storage is great and get it if you can, but having to step mast every time has the advantage of allowing you to look at what's going on up there. Too many people leave their mast up for prolonged periods of time, even years and then one day, pop! The sail's in the water and you have the task of getting the main out of the mast, rolling it up, lay the mast lengthwise on the boat and get someone to tow you.
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Bill Townsend
G-Cat 5.0
Sarasota
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Posted: Jul 01, 2024 - 12:21 PM
I'm enjoying reading all the replies ... thanks everyone. Will keep you posted with where I'm at
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- 1974 Laser
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Posted: Jul 01, 2024 - 06:36 PM
re-posting - logged in -
F18 and Nacra 17 are beasts. They bite. Equivalent to buying a true high performance car – enough power to get yourself hurt. (I sail a N17 with my teen son, and sometimes crew F18s.)
In addition, if the N17 seller doesnt' know whether they have all the parts... they probably don't, so stay away. Any boat on offer that is not clear whether it's complete, is not complete. lol.
Given your profile and interests I would go for the Nacra 5.7. It's a fast cat, but still a learn/play-around catamaran. Forgiving. Nacra is still around and parts can be bought - Nacra is Netherlands-based but there are active importers in Canada and USA.
Second choice would be Mystere 5.5. It's a bit more 'advanced' than the Nacra 5.7 but still in the "fast but not crazy" range. The problem is that I don't think Mysteres are built anymore, I don't think the manufacturer is still in business, so parts are between hard and impossible to get. The 'good' part of it is that they were built in the Montreal area and some local clubs are (as far as I know) still sailing some (but getting rid of them too). So maybe you can still get parts locally - cannibalizing from unused boats in local clubs, or local owners. Still, not a solid long term plan.
Those are assuming price and conditions for the Nacra and the Mystere are roughly equivalent. If not, get the good boat. Floating is always better than not.
Whatever you do, have a righting bag if you're sailing solo, overall know how to right the boat solo or with a rookie icon_smile - and you'll do more sailing if you don't have to fully rig up the mast every time. -
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Posted: Jul 01, 2024 - 08:29 PM
Yup, that's what worries me about the Mystere is parts availability. Thanks for tip re. righting bag. I don't think I'll be going out solo in strong winds, but will look into getting the righting bag anyway.
Ok, here is another one that is now on my shortlist. 1999 Nacra Inter F18. Owner says it is in overall good working condition, but that the furling and rudder could do with some love. It is priced only a couple hundred more than the Mystere 5.5, so price seems to be good. Also no trailer, but I've realized I should be able to convert my 18' SeaDoo boat trailer to accommodate a cat. My boat trailer sits empty all summer anyway because the boat is on a lift.
Thoughts on this Nacra Inter 18 ... I guess it is similar to the F18 I listed, but a bit older and less expensive.
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- 1974 Laser
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Posted: Jul 07, 2024 - 11:08 AM
Picked up the 2007 F17 in Toronto yesterday (not the one that potentially had missing parts, but the one lew mentioned). It was a long day and traffic around Toronto sucked due to various things. Left Montreal at 7am and we finally got back at midnight. Could have been a disaster as we were rear-ended in bumper-bumper traffic on the way to pick up (I don't know how, but I'm thinking perhaps the other driver didn't notice the (empty) trailer. He hit us hard ... enough to snap a 4x4 beam that was my main support for the boat (I modified my 18' SeaDoo boat trailer to carry it). Fortunately I had tools and a length of 2x4 I used to brace the broken 4x4 and there was no other damage. Other than traffic, driving home with it went well. Looking forward to getting it out on my lake. Probably not until next weekend (if conditions are right) ... have more learning/research to do to make sure I'm well prepared!
Thanks again for the helpful comments!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3G6fUboEgXbFZsp36
Edited by ght on Jul 07, 2024 - 12:08 PM.
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- 1974 Laser
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Posted: Jul 09, 2024 - 06:59 PM
Glad you weren't hurt or damage during the wreck, and that you could fix and continue.
Great boat but very powerful! Let us know how it goes. Maybe stick to light air and keep the spin in the box until you get some experience on the cat, way more powerful than a Laser!
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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN
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Posted: Jul 09, 2024 - 09:20 PM
Exactly one year previous - afternoon of Friday, July 7th - I left the same spot (one of the clubs next to Water Rats on the Cherry Beach row) with the SC20, headed for Pittsburgh. It was hotter than hell, I was in rush hour traffic, and the cell phone I'd enabled for the trip (I don't normally carry a tracking device) wasn't doing me a damn bit of good with navigation because I was on the streets beneath the freeway and it couldn't get the GPS signals. So all of the "helpful guidance" it was supposed to be giving me was guesswork and extrapolation and too late to actually change lanes and make the turn, over and over and over. I went in circles for at least an extra hour. Man, was I grateful to finally get out on the open road...
Edited by jonathan162 on Jul 09, 2024 - 09:22 PM.
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Southern Alberta and all over the damn place.
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1981 SuperCat 20 "Roberts' Rockets"
1983 SuperCat 19
TriFoiler #23 "Unfair Advantage"
Mystere 17
Unicorn A-Class (probably made by Trowbridge) that I couldn't resist rescuing at auction.
H18 & Zygal (classic) Tornado - stolen and destroyed - very unpleasant story.
Invitation and Mistral and Sunflower and windsurfers w/ Harken hydrofoils and god knows what else...
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Posted: Jul 09, 2024 - 11:54 PM
Damn, sorry I just saw this post. The Mysteres are still a functional boat. Parts are available San Soucy right there in Montreal.
I had a 20 foot Mystere, a modern copy of the Olympic tornado, but with with the spinnaker. When I needed a new tramp Yeves was very forthcoming. Heres the album of it. I had Hobie 21 foot wings installed making it 14 feet wide. I looked hard for a 5.5 but couldn’t find one in any decent shape. I think they would’ve been a wonderful boat.
https://www.thebeachcats.…ec524c219a340a168ab5c588
https://www.thebeachcats.…ictures?g2_itemId=109394
My first choice for a solo would’ve been the Niagara 5.7. Lots of albums and experience here do a search under the albums.
Here’s one I resurrected, (it’s more fun than the 5.0).
https://www.thebeachcats.…4681d4bf07a1ad9b3f0a8f79
In my opinion for 190 pound pound athletic person this is the best single-handed cat who can get. Simple rig no boom, no boards and don’t be put off by the so-called lesser up wind capability, get your weight up forward & sink the sink the bows. the thing will not pitch pole unless you really abuse it.. it carries several adults well.
I keep all three of my Cats on modified sea-Doo lifts. The Nacra wins hands-down in that department. The sail can be raised and lowered, even with it being pushed with the crosswind onto the shrouds.
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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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Posted: Jul 14, 2024 - 10:00 PM
Great weekend of sailing my new boat! Launched it successfully from the public beach beside my house. It's not a great beach (small and not really much sand), but it is well-protected from the wind which was perfect for getting started. As we got going (my wife came along) and we got away from the protection of the shore we hit some pretty strong gusts ... the boat accelerated and I started wondering if I'd made a mistake going out! Anyway, it was fine ... the boat handled it well (mainsail only, no spinnaker until I have more experience and a perfect day). Took it out again after supper for a sunset sail ... beautiful! Today went out for a few hours and did laps of our bay with a couple of other catamarans (an older Prindle and a Hobie 17). Caught some really good wind (not crazy strong just nice puffs) and the boat was off to the races. Loving the boat so far! For now I have just pulled it up onto my dock and will look for a lift as a permanent solution.
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- 1974 Laser
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Posted: Jul 16, 2024 - 07:46 PM
That is great to hear! Keep posting about your future adventures.
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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN
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Posted: Jul 17, 2024 - 04:45 AM
Congrata on your purchase.
Once you go cat, you can never go back!! ;)
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John
Nacra 5.0
CT
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Posted: Jul 19, 2024 - 10:41 PM
Got out on the trapeze today (first time on a trapeze since I was perhaps 12 yo) in a good wind. Then got the kite out and we were off to the races!! Oh boy this is fun!!! I'm not sure if my old Laser is going to see much action now.
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- 1974 Laser
- 2007 Nacra F17
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