Buying a hobie tiger..maybe

hurricane, that's exactly where I'm coming from when I advise the Hurricane 5.9, I don't sail cats generally, but really like the 5.9. The boat has a brilliant class association, and some of the best people I've met will swear by Hurricanes.

well the hurricane is actually just quicker than the f18 in standard mode and with the SX kit on is alot faster than a f18!

the point being made about not a good class to start in is not true loads of peoples first cat is a 5.9 the class runs great training sessions.

oh and for fleet racing the class is expecting over 50 boats at the nationals this weekend! cant wait!

Originally posted by 49erGBR735HSC and you wouldn't need to contend with all the F18 developments to get competitive.

If you are not in the top of the fleet an off the shelf Tiger would be sufficiant.  If you are not at the top also, plenty of guns will offer advice and tuning tips.  Learn from them and if your intentions are to go further, when you a knocking at the heels of the guns you can update your wardrobe and get the latest go fast sails or buy good second hand sails of the VERY serious pros.  They will nornally replace them well before they are due.  If you are hungry for knowledge the F-18 and Tornado classes are your best bet.

At the end of the day, it all depends on what your future intentions are with racing.  I don't know how serious the Hurricane fleet is over there but do know that the most serious fleets in Europe and the world are without a doupt the F-18 and Tornado with plenty of full time pros at the top whome are willing to offer their years of profesional knowledge to build the strenght of the fleet.

Also my best advice would be to see what is race local to you and join a fleet.  If you get the chance, try a few different classes and see what suits you best before you buy.

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.

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!