Buying a hobie tiger..maybe

Why not a int14 or a Cherub  

Cats are best for the stated situation, i.e. beech and big chop. If it was me I'd go for the Hurricane without giving it a second thought and you wouldn't need to contend with all the F18 developments to get competitive. Longer hull length of the Hurricane would be better to sail in a chop too.

Of course you would.

Just passing comment, but for the sort of venue stated I'd want to sail a cat out of there. Skiffs can be particularly difficult to launch from a beech with big waves and although there's times where you have to do it, I'd not like to be doing it week in, week out. I think it would be very expensive and a Cat like a Hurricane is more fun than most monos. Why create divides by small mindedness, have any of the people criticising cats sailed boats like Hurricanes or Tornados, if not give it a try and stop going with the one hull is better than two concept until you've tried both!

49er....Well said and good call on a cat in these conditions.  A lot easier to lauch threw surf.

JmWalker,

First of all,

What is your sailing experience?  ie trapeze, spinnaker ect.

Will you sail with crew?

What will your combined crew weight be.

A Hobie Tiger or even a Hurricane may be a bit to much for a first cat.  You may want to look at a non spinnaker boat and one a little smaller first up.  I don't know what classes are popular localy to you but you may want to look at a 14 to 16 footer first.  Maybe a Hobie 16, Prindal, Hydra ect.  Also don't spend too much on your first cat.  You will want to upgrade when you become proficiant at sailing smaller cats.  You will also never treat or look after your first cat as good as cats you may own later.

Always use beach rollers and pads or cradles under the transomes.  Never let you cat touch sand and never drive them up the beach.  Just some good boat care tips, cat or mono.  A lot of people have seen others drive their Hobies up the beach and newbies can fall into this habit.