Dear all,

I used to sail regularly (a few times a week) in my teens and got up to a reasonable level of proficiency (level 5, instructor ticket, level 4 racing instructor if that thing still exists).

Well I would like to start sailing again - in a cat this time - and am looking for advice on which one to go for...

I'd like something which is reasonably rapid, can be sailed singlehandedly but could carry two people, is easy to right if it all goes wrong, and can take the odd bit of rough treatment.

It would be second hand and cost less than £5k

I'm not keen on anything which is like a Dart 16 - I've sailed them a couple of times and really didn't enjoy them at all - they felt floppy, and the sails were dreadful - but perhaps I need to put up with that when you get rid of the boom??

What type of water will you be sailing on?

Also may depend on what boats are sailed at the club you are sailing at

I'll be sailing out of my in-laws house in Sweden.  It's in the archipelago, so although it's sea, it's never particularly rough.  Even in force 6's, there is usually only a foot or two of swell...

Also, I'll be sailing this on my own (there's no club for a long way away) hence safety/reliability etc. is key.

Cheers!

Jonathan,

To make a proper suggestion really need more info. 

Will the boat be mainly 2 up (or solely 2 up) or do you need the single handed option ?

For 5K you can pick up an excellent Hurricane 59sx, but this is strictly the 2 up only option. 

You would probably pick up a Stealth F16 for 5K and have the 1 or 2 up options (And boy is it fun single handed).

Other options would be an Old (but failly un-competitive F18) or a Dart 18.

It really depends what is sailed at you local Club. 

In that case the only real options are

Stealth F16 - Carbon mast makes it a dream to right !

Dart 18

Sprint 15 (dart 15) - but not really a good load carrier.

Also look at a Spitfire. Ideally they are two-up boats but they can be sailed s/h. Same yard makes the Shadow but you would be hard pressed to get one at your budget. Hobie have the FX1 but it was one of the first s/h cats with spinnaker and I think you had to launch the kite from the tramp. Scooby will tell you more about the Inter17 and that's in your price range.

Do you have cat experience? I had pretty much the same quals as you but when I switched to cats I almost had to start again. Some would argue that I haven't progressed that far since. And what size are you?

Ignore the D16/Topper equivalent. D18 is a maybe but IMHO it's a dying breed, having been superceded by F16 and Spits. For that reason it's cheap.

When you indicate a desire for speed, how fast do you want to go? Even a D16 will outstrip a L3000 so it's all relative.

Spitfire is a possible, but I'd say the Shadow is out simply because it's not really big enough for 2. 

Inter 17 would be an option, but I think you would struggle to find one and it would be short of power uphill 2 up.  Unless they guy who bought mine wants to sell it.  He was based in Norway and came to the UK to buy mine.

If Inter 17 is an option think I saw one for sale on the Nacra Europe site.

Think spitfire is a good boat and parts like daggerboards and rudders are easy to get

Hi,

If you are sailing away from rescue and away from other boats on the sea then the ability to right the boat from a capsize by yourself is key. This means that most of the boats mentioned above are not suitable (Simon - I never saw you capsize your Inter 17at Grafham and not have to call apon the services of a rescue boat. Can you right the Stealth by yourself? I'm sure I have seen you being rescued in that too!). A Dart 18 or Dart 16 are tough to right single handed - but are good 2 man boats. The Shadow is strictly a one man racing boat (but a very good one) and I have never seen a Spitfire sailed single handed (or a Hurricane & it certainly cannot be righted single handed).

You should think seriously about the Sprint 15. It can be easily righted from a capsize singlehanded, it can be sailed 1 or 2 up, it is versatile (can be sailed with a jib and trapeze or una-rig) it light and easy to move around on shore, etc. You can almost buy new for £5K. It is not great for 2 heavyweights in a racing situation but if you are fun sailing it is OK. Anyway have a look at their web site on http://www.sprint15.com - www.sprint15.com which is very informative and helpful.

Cheers

Bob

Bob, I Don't see the Sprint 15 as something that will carry 2 adults.

The Inter 17 was a bit of a pig to right, but I can do it.

Stealth is as easy as pie to right - Quick flick and it's back up - with practice I think I could right it without getting wet ! ; The class rules dictate that a F16 (Of which the Stealth is one) must be rightable buy the crew without assistance.  The Stealth F16 has a mast tip weight of the class minimum of 6kg; this is one of the lightest around (An A class is probably about 6.5 to 7kg).  The stealth has the lightest mast around at the moment, possibly excepting the Unicorn with their needlespar. 

Stuart reularly sails his Spitfire at Grafham single handed during the week.  There are a few people sail them "for fun" like this - not sure they can right them.

Hi Simon

Stuart Snell & Linda Moss won the Dart15 Nationals 2-up. I bet they had a combined weight of 130Kg. The same year George & I were 3rd. Two up boats have often been in the top 10 at the Nationals but I agree that it is not great if the people are heavyweights.

Cheers

Bob

PS. Have you never been rescued in the Stealth? I'm sure that you have been when I have been at the Club.

Bob,

I once had a rescue boat stand by as I had problems, I also had help once as I was in the middle of the start line - the help was not strictly necessary !

Stop making a big issue of this, it is a non starter.  The Stealth is easily rightable. 

Regarding 2 up.  My dad (about 8 stone) sold his 15 when Ian (about 7 stone at the time) as "not enough power, too slow" and bought a Dart 18.  Can you really suggest a 15 is a good boat for 2 Adults ? 

If you are going to ship the boat, then you may want to look at importing an A-Class from Australia. It's a pure racing machine and so may fall foul of your "stand up to a few knocks" criteria. It is also a single hander but there's enough room for a passenger. As you sail on flattish water it will go very well.

I'm not sure it would be the ideal boat for you but, in the interests of completeness, you should consider it.

edit: There's also a http://www.vallagruppen.com/a-cat/ - Swedish A-class association