Versatile cat for lightweights?

This question is just such a gift.................

Based on what you've written Jack, the most obvious choice is NOT a Dart/Sprint 15 or a Hobie Max (or even a Dart 16).

No, the MOST obvious choice is a Formula 16! Go to the new temporary website at http://f16.beasts.org for more info.

There are currently a couple of Stealths for sale in the UK - contact John Pierce at www.stealthmarine.co.uk or you could search for a Taipan or similar 16ft cat and bring it up to F16 specs. Boats like the old Condor/Hurricane 4.9, Hydra, Mystere etc would measure but be overweight compared to the new designs.

This is me sailng the Stealth F16 with my youngest (12 yr old) son

and this is with my oldest (19 yr old) son

I also sail with my wife and sail and race solo too:

 

When I was looking for a new cat last year, my priorities were virtually identical to yours. I spent four months researching and thinking and talking to people before finally going for this (very new) class. We held our first nationals in 2005. This years will be at Mumbles on 3rd-5th June. Our first Worlds will be in Singapore next February. The class is growing rapidly with builders in many countries. If I were you I'd seriously put an F16 at the top of my list!

 

 

 

 

 

 

    I would also agree the F16 suits your needs perfectly.

    as for racing if you are near the north of England or Scotland there is a great travelers circuit called Snecca (Scottish and north of England cat class association.) our first event of this year is at Keilder this weekend all classes of cat welcome we race on the average lap system. Great bunch of people and Scottish hospitality.

 

You lot seem a lot less class promotion aggressive than dinghy sailors, by
now i would have had about 20 different options! Probably mostly from
Cherub sailors!!!!

But thanks for the direction.

As the F16 concept is new, how is it going down and what's the circuit
like? And would a half decent dinghy helm be able to move across to,
what looks like quite a handful of a cat easily? ( the wife gets scared easily
:-)!). Are there any special techniques?

by the way what is wrong with the sprint 15 then?

It seems to have one advantage in that you can split the mast for car
topping, I imagine that a performance F16 will be carbon and therefore it
won't break down.

AHHH nice pics.....SUNNY LEIGH ON SEA!!!!
and can i just say......i took the top one

The ONLY problem with the Spitfire is singlehanding. It is not particularly happy sailing under main only, and the jib is not self tacking. Therefore to be F16 compliant it can only really be sailed in two-up format. If you're racing other Spitfires then it's two-up anyway.

To address the original priority of lightweight family sailing AND singlehanding then it is really only F16 that hits the mark (as I found out).

F16s ARE NOT DIFFICULT TO SAIL!!!  Racing competitively is a different matter though as they respond very well to the slightest adjustment on downhaul/outhaul etc. (So it's actually very easy to be sailing slowly fast!!) - or should that be sailing fast slowly??? 

 

Edited by Jalani