get a hurricane 5.9 best value for money if u want a beach cat/ fast racer value for money boat as it has centre boards not dagger so little damage if u hit things on the way in. They are surprisingly cheap and with the money saved buy new sails as thats all you need to get it going.

if you fancy 3 sails you can get an sx kit with self tacking jib

http://www.hurricane59.com - www.hurricane59.com

Hi Mate,

Tiger would be a great boat.  You could sail at club level or race in F-18 or Hobie Tiger Class.  Great boat to sail, pretty quick, well established and you will learn heaps from the class.  Plenty of big guns in the class as well as punters.  I too am looking at the F-18 class and shelfing the Big T for a while.

In Oz an new Tiger is about $25,000 Australian for a new boat ready to race with beach rollers and trailer.  A boat 1 year old or less are going for around $20,000.  I would expect to pay for a 5 year old boat between $12,000 to $15,000 depending on condition.

Do your sums and calculate in your local currency.  Your local market could be quiet different to ours.  Demand for an F-18 in OZ is large and second hand market is small.  Your market may have more boats available and prices cheaper.

The F-18 class is the smartest move any cat sailor could make anywhere around the world.

Hope this helps and good sailing to you.

5420 your are obviously a complete mailto:D!@khead - D!@khead with no idea when it comes to sailing.  Why don't you p!$$ off to some chat room and waste peoples time there.

Or if you like come over to Sailing Anarchy and get what you deserve.  I'll even supply the link punter.

http://www.sailinganarchy.com/forums/index.php?s=e44e18b9a31124d3f28c578620a0398c&act=idx - http://www.sailinganarchy.com/forums/index.php?s=e44e18b9a31 124d3f28c578620a0398c&act=idx

and how long out of an oppie are you?

broaden your mind dude

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.

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.

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!

btw hurricane being 20ft sails so much better than a 16ft spitfire in chop!!!

I loved my two 5.9's and only sold the last one because of crew problems.

If I could have 2 boats, I'd have a 5.9, sell my 17 and get another one.

well some people have 2 boats both of them being 5.9 they are such good value that they buy one for the club and keep the other on a trailer for opens! how cool is that!

oh and I agree the 5.9 class assoc is 2nd to none, super friendly and very active!

Well it sounds like both the F18 or H 5.9 is the road I will go down.  At the moment I have a fireball which is getting on a bit, but have sailed friends cats on occasion and do have a lot of time for getting a hull flying

To quell the debate on single or twin hull....imho if its on the water and gives a grin then who cares.

Sounds like the F-18 is a good bet as is the Hurricane.  Local fleet is more important when learning.  So if the Hurricane is strong local......  get one.

But before you do, go for a test sail and make sure they are within your capabilities.  They are both quiet powerful boats.  If you have sailed Fireballs on a regular basis you should be able to adapt quiet well.

We currently sail Dart 18s and are looking for more modern alternatives.

Topcat (German catamaran buliders) are big in Europe and are trying to break into the UK. The K1 is apparently comparable to a Hurricane 5.9 although I haven't tried a K1 yet. We're hosting a couple of demonstration weekends at Chapman Sands Sailing Club, at Canvey Island in Essex in June (11/12 & 25/26).

See website at http://www.cs-sc.org.uk - www.cs-sc.org.uk for details. Demos are open to everyone. Good chance to have a go and see what you think.

why buy one of them when there is awsome fleet racing in the 5.9 class

btw just back from a 50 boat nationals whooooo!!!

Hi, the Topcat was designed at the same time as the Dart. But the Topcat changed it`s design a bit and updatet it`s range of cats. From the old F1/F2/Spitfire to a much more modern shape/design. But still kepts all it`s nice curve and slimplisserty.

For some time know they are called K1/K2/K3/4.5 and the Chico for kids.I sailed and raced a Dart 18 for over 20 years in England and Germany.

10 years ago, I was always looking and comparing my Dart 18 with the Topcat. Every weekend. The set up is much the same as the Dart, no boards or gagets. Just jump on it and go sailing, the rest is up to you. But I found myself sailing Topcat more and more. It`s more powerful, it feels bigger, it`s twin trapez, the jib clets are out of the way and the rudder system is far the better. And it`s not so easy to stick the leward hole under, you can just keep the power on.

Also the construction looks and feels more stronger (NO it is stronger!). You said it in the C.S.S.C. newsletter. BMW of catamaran is coming to the UK, I hope so. So for me it was bye bye to Dart     

But HELLO Topcat, the best boat one, I now sail the Topcat K2 in my freetime at my local club and race with my friends Topcat K1 all over the place. Pound for pound I got the best deal. I`ve seen CSSC website, I like the newsletter and the info Topcat demo, poss. there will be a report of the demo in C.S.S.C. website?

Micky Mouse

hi calistow

cartoon character TC, OK, But a tin cat food for you.But ok I used to think a Dart was something you through at a board and a Hurricane was just a lot of wind,Talking of Hurricane, (Gozzza) Looking at the H/C the Hurricane is faster than the Topcat`` But´´at Texel it wasn't so,even after a capsize at the start line (2 mins before start )and another a little later.But it was a hang on to your goolys day,and we had 180 kg onboard and one Hull half full of water,so we sailed over the Hurricanes,but on a nice day who know's maybe someone out there can answer that? Calistow have a look at the website by Gozzza might help you somewhat (WHAT IS A TOPCAT )     

so how comes we haven't seen anything about topcats in any magazines? if they are that good someone would have done a review already....

i've never seen one for sale or even heard of them before. where do you buy them? is there any topcat fleets in the uk?

i would go for a spitfire.

Hi hovatio/hurricane,

fair question, Topcat has just started to introduce itself to the UK. They had a stand at the Dinghy show this year and I understand that lots of ? and interest just like yours were ask. So much so, that they decided to make test sails and demos around the UK. Starting in the S/E. Also they have made contact to the sailing mags. I know that one will be making a test sail in June, then you should see something of Topcat in the magazines. I know that Topcat have sold over 17.000 boats world wide and turned over 650 cats last year.

But I don´t think so  in the UK (YET) . So hang on to your panties, it comes to the UK. Let them get a foot in the door and I`m sure that all questions will be answered. Something to be getting on with:

http://www.topcat.de - www.topcat.de or look at http://www.cs-sc.org.uk - www.cs-sc.org.uk

I`m sure you will be more then welcome there for a test sail, even if you`ve got a Spitfire/Hurricane or no boat at all. By the way, Topcat is not so slow, schrs rating K1 1.05, Spitfire 1,04, Hurricane 1,01 x 684 = ..... The basic price of a K1is 6.500 pounds, all incl. Regatta is 8.000 pound, K2 6.500 pound, all incl. is 7.000 pound, K3 single handed or two up with jib 5.500 pound that`s what I read in there website. 

I know that there will be a big promotion discount at the demos, I also know the design of Topcat Klaus Elsmann. Klaus was a top Tornado man and the designer of A class winged catamaran and knows all about hightec, high performance, lights construction, gagets, boards etc. So, they looked for the ultimate alternatice. Something quick to rig from a complete breakdown on a trailer, with no center or dagger boards, no tools to rig up, no gagets, strong, safe and at the right price for the family and regatta man. And for sure not boring.

You have the speed and excitment without a risk. That is what Topcat are about,  simplicity it sales itself. Have a look next time in a travel agency (Magic Life/Tui etc.) They can`t be wrong and as for Topcat centers world wide, there's is to many to mention here. You can email the boys who are promoting Topcat in the UK.I can only talk about sailing the boat,. mailto:Mike-Southeast@hotmail.co.uk - Mike-Southeast@hotmail.co.uk or mailto:mike.harrison@topcat.de - mike.harrison@topcat.de

yours

mickymouse

 PS Have i left myself wide open ???oror

i think your problem is the boat is trying to compete against the dart 18 and hurricane 5.9 and those two fleets are already well established and have high resale values as well as big fleet racing a new boat in the same format will struggle to take off it needs to be radical unlike something before like the spitfire to work

well said hurricane!!!! you're trying to sell in a crowded market, - and where does a topact owner get his spare parts from? at a premium from the manufacturer i bet...

ok mr micky mouse cards on the table, sounds to me like your german. i bet you sail mostly inland, how do you fare in some british chop in the salt? i bet its more like a f****** u-boat......if your topcats are so good, tow yours to the uk and race against some 5.9s. maybe one of the LDs like the RIOW or the forts or the piers? lets see you put your money where your mouth is. my guess is 5.9s eat topcats for breakfast and you slink of with your tail between your legs - pussyCAT!!

Bit harsh those comments horatio. 

Top cat looks like quite a good boat for a skeg boat.  Good beginer to intemediate or youth class with spinakker

Would not have gone with the "dagger style" rudders though as it could make it a bit dificult launching from the surf.

At the end of the day now, all cats in the 16 to 20 foot range with kite including the T are now competing with a VERY strong F-18 class.

guess your right tornado, don't mean to offend. won't be posting anymore messages at 2am after a bellyful of budweiser  <my head hurts>

can see why dart sailors might fancy a tc if it has similar appeal - i started in 18s twenty odd years ago and still have a soft spot for them i guess. getting older (and fatter) now, at the stage where even the sailing brain doesn't give me the edge over the lean mean pups unless its really blowing.

we all got our preferences and class loyalties. at the end of the day anyone who sails multis is cool in my book. there's nothing like seeing the look on the face of mono sailor the first time they get on a trampoline and blast out in a 5+. remember my first time, and once you get hooked there's no going back - anyone remember that feeling?

be interested to hear what jmwalker actually buys and how it fares where he sails. let us know jm!!

Hi Hurricane,      (post from the 21.05.05)

yes you are quiet right, I don`t no why Topcat didn`t go with the swing in the Uk some 25 years ago. It would have been well established. They must have had there reasons, maybe it had something to do with the designers. I know that Klaus helped to introduce the Dart in Europe, but from that I know nothing, only that Topcat went its way and it`s going well world wide.

I also know that Topcat is a different conzept to the high tec and high performance cats.

Maybe they get lucky in the UK  they also have the time to market this. We wait and see.

Mickeymouse

Guten 'Tag Horatio,

it`s klar, you are not an English gentleman. First I think you should put a bar of soup in your mouth. When all 5.9 sailers are as agressive as you off the water, what are you lot like on the water.

Sorry, you can keep that attitude in the Hurrican fleet. Dear o deary me, what is it all coming too. (Have I said that right)?  

But you asked a few questions. Spare parts "whats`that" The Topcat is a basic cat, it`s not very often that you need spares. All through in the second regatta at Warnemünde/Eastsee/Germany in a big wind and chopy saltwater, I lost my teller extenshion (Topcat lent me one for the rest of the racing). We have a postsystem here, three days later I recieved a new extenshion at cost price + post.

Yeah most of our sailing is on lakes.

Two weeks ago I was at Ammersee/Bavaria, racing in a top end of a F 5 or a bit more, straight down the middle of the lake from the mountains. Trust me, the waves where big enough. It was great fun and I didn`t had to eat saltwater. But we do hold most of our Europeans and World Champion Chips on open seas (Dubai, Turkey, Red See, Eastsee...). Please feel free to have a look in the galery http://www.itca.de - www.itca.de  at ITC 2004.

Auf Wiedersehen.

Mickeymouse.

Hi Team Tornado,

thanks. It is good for a skeg boat and sails to windward very good. The skegs are very deep also we have no problems with putting center or dagger board up or down, when lunching or recovering .

For us the less work and the less things to do and go wrong, the better. I have no problems with the dagger rudder system on lunching in a chopy sea. We put them down to the same derth as the skegs and put them right down, when deep enough. But I did see a funny thing in a K2, They put them up to early and to high coming in on a big sea, it wasn`t so good for him. He lost control and his crew overbord. Lucky there was no boats to windward of him, could have been naughty,but to see him working with his teller bar and going the wrong way was funny,  only his pride was hurt.

But I did have a costly and   experience with a set of Dart rudders. When I did not make it through the surf. It come back up the beach minus one rudder and the other exploded big time.

Mickymouse   

I had a look at the Topcat rudders on the K1 at the dinghy show. They can be set as deep as the skegs so seem to be ideal for beach launch/recovery. The whole boat feels really solid, and I'd imagine the rounded hull tops will stop the water sticking and therefore reduce the risk of burying the bows in chop.

Then again we launch/recover via a jetty which can frighten the life out of some sailors who are used to beaches and have never considered how to land an 8 foot wide cat on a 9 foot wide wooden ramp in a F5 onshore wind.

I'm keeping an open mind and I'm looking forward to trying a Topcat. I've just been watching Kevin Turner blasting down the Thames towards Southend pier in his 5.9sx with the kite up in a F5 south-westerly. Love to see how the K1 compares. Maybe mickmouse will come over have a showdown on the last weekend in June. I'd miss the inland nats at Graffham for that.

well if a topcat can be botherd to turn up to the fast cat race we will see whats the best boat

kev turner is a legend!!!! and he really knows how to get that sx going!

Hi Hurricane,

well, you have to ask the boys themselves if the can be bothered.But I shouldn`t think there be interested in getting messed up with you Hurricane boys, F18, Spitfire or any other cats for that matter. (Keine Angst). Topcat is another draft and for sure it`s not interested in who the best or robbery of any of the prefered classes in the UK.

But will be looking for the newbies to the sailing world. And those who wish to hopp from the Dinghys to the catamarans. That is why it`s the second most sold cat in the world. No tools to rig up with, no boards, god I said all this before (must be getting old).

Good luck to your legend at the fast cat race.

Hi gozzza,

I believe it was a K2 at the show, but it doesn`t matter, the rudder system is the same K1/K2/K3 and the 4.5. Yes it is more solid, than the most cats. First thing you noticed if you are unlucky to be in a capsized position, the hull doesn`t give in under your feet. Your jetty sounds  lots of fun, but I would be sorry for anybody standing on it, when a Topcat comes flying up it.  

Must be a Hurricane corner where you are, just hurd a bit about that legend Kevin, maybe the mouse will come with his K1 and six shooter. Seems to me, this best speed and best boat thing is a ego boost for you boys. I was watching the optimist class and the A class cats, you want to know where the most interest was, you got it. Great stuff to see kids fighting for the best place. 

Mickymouse 

Hi Hurricane,

your right, I`m sure your are a friendly bunch on and off the water. Horatio got my back up somewhat. I shouldn`t paint everybody with the some brush, and I now know that it was only the drink talking. Must tell him it`s not good for his lever.

And your right again, Topcat will struggle in the UK to find the right market, it`s looking for. It will sure take his time, but they say it has worked well everywhere else.

I wish it luck aswell.

Thanks

Mickymouse  

Hi Hurricane, that`s ok.

Yeah, right again, you said it, more the better. Just get out there and have fun catsailing. But big is not always better. We can do it on the wire, on one hull and in 1 m of water. He he, .

But wouldn`t want to fall off

Mickeymouse

Hi jmwalker, haven´t heard of your progress. Have you found a cat yet? When not poss. it`s a good idea for you and friends to try catamarans sailing out at the Topcat demo. http://www.cs-sc.org.uk - www.cs-sc.org.uk  and why not cost nothing it could be a good day out for you . They have darts and hurricanes there too. Also have a look at http://www.itca.de  - www.itca.de  Gallery IIC 2003. There you find pickys of K3 single handed which can be sailed and raced to up with jib. The K2 to up or raced single handed without jib. (you can have a reacher but it´s only for fun not racing). And the K1 two men with reacher but I don`t think at this moment, that is the boat for you. The K2 is, than you have the best of both worlds. But best of all just get a good second hand cat and go catsailing. Make sure it`s with in your  capability and do not believe all that you hear.Take it all  with a pinch of salt.

I can remenber coming from my monohole to a brand new Dart 18. First time out about a F4 gusting F5 it was a fixed line from the beach, a broudreach start against the tide and a big chop.

So I looked at the sea for ten mins., shaking in my wetboots, the Dart class captain come to me and said, come on it´s nothing, you`re be ok, just get over the start line. So we did, straight from the beach over the start line hanging on to the tow straips, for dear life, bouncing about on the tramp. Couldn`t go about at the mark because no one said I must be hard on the wind in these's thing's. So I bore away again, thought about a jibying for 1.10 th of a sec. NO.  So hung on went dead down wind, could not see nothing because of the spray, the main beam digging in, forgot how many times. Straight up the beach, capsize there and I kissed the pebbles on the beach, I`m still alive. So much the help from the class. he only wanted better points. I was ready to give the boat back, but tried again. So the next time was in a F2/3 wind. I was in controll and from that moment on I never looked back to my mono hull What I`m saying is don´t get a cat what has to much power at first and don´t go out in to much wind.

The  time will come , when you can handle  winds, high performance and high tec cats. More importend at first is to have fun cat sailing and be in control

Mickymouse 

Hi Horatio,

I find it funny now too. But can still remember it well, even after all them years. I`ve seen simular things happening with the newcomers to the cat world. And it always brings a grin to me. Quite a sailor, well, I`ve had my moments for sure and even won a few big regattas. The problem know is that there is a lot of new talent coming to the Topcat regattas and they all want first place. But thats why we go racing.

I don´t get to many chances to go racing these days. Only when my friend with the K1 want to make it so. Normal I go out on the lake, three or so times in the month. Sail around somewhat, take it all in, then navigate to a beer garden. There I look at some new models on two legs, walking around, no trapez, no go fast gagets only a smooth beautiful shape, with beautiful colours. They know how to get me going fast. But I can`t get it going in the right direction. Hm, this is a sailing forum, I will be taking part in the Topcat worlds at lake Gardasee in September. Must get some practice in before them. I sailed on Gardasee four times now, it`s beautiful there, espacielly with there winds. We normaly race in four to five with an heavy chop, you eat three/four surfers, they say on a good day you can walk across the Gardasee, there are so many of them. But in the early hours of the evening, two or three hours befor sunset, you can reach down the east side of Gardasee, twin trapezing, little or no chop, 75 - 100 m from the road then you harden up still twin trapezing, straight into a inner harbour. Hope there is a nice spot for you, great, there is. Straight into it, stop nicely on the pointon, what a pose. (he´s done that before). Have a bite to eat and a wine, sail back, twin trapezing with the sun going down, have a few beers with your sailing collegues on the terrace, than up to the hotel room, hit the sack, what a nice day. This is the other side of Topcat sailing and I wouldn`t give it up for all the tea in England or is it in China?  But it`s the same in England or?

Mickeymouse        & nbsp;         & nbsp;

Hi calistow,

yeah, there is a good reason that Topcat are used more then other cats in hotels. There's a range of five they can choose from, there nothing you can damage, or too damage you on the boat, unless you have a collision, spears, well that`s minimal. There robust, quickly to rig, fast and simply to sail and the right price. I should be a sailman.

Yeah, go to gozzza demo at C.S.S.C., you can see the range 1st hand, try them and get more questions answered.

It would help, to loose some weight from the Dart. But that`s not your problem. When you say you are always at the back of the fleet it wount matter what boat you got. You`re always be at the back of the fleet.sorry, but it`s so. Try thinking a bit more positive. Get in there with the 1st ranckers on the startline. If your start is good and you go the right way, then there is no reason why you`re finish, shouldn't be good too. Don`t forget, the next race the wind could favour you, so go for it. How often do you race? How often you go the right way? Hey! I`m no pro, your fellow shipmates should give you some tips. But as for the Topcat, it does seem to take the heavy guys, better then a lot of classes for it`s size. 

We are 180 kg or so and don´t have these problems. It`s poss. in very light winds going down wind. The light boys start crowling over us but the leaward mark is insite. So just keep cool, we know why that's happening and think positive.

The K2 or K1, dependend on your experience sounds about right for you. They very much the same as the Dart, but better, I think so. Try it out for yourself at C.S.S.C. demo.

Your next question, you have to asked the boys at the demo, I have my own thoughts but not really sure. But I will follow that up a little more.

Mickeymouse       

Hi Mickey mouse,

I’m a bit late getting back; I’ve been playing with boats! I’ve emailed Chapman Sands S.C. for more information on the Topcat demonstration. They contacted me straight away, they sound like a Good bunch of Guys and a good weekend is about to happen with Topcat:

Thanks for the tip.

We will try not to drink too much beer and loose a bit of weight for our cat. We go out sailing every week but only race one or two times in a month and we tend to go the same way like most of the fleet. You’re right about my starts. What are your start tactics?

I Must ask the question, do you have a part in Topcat? We are about to sell our Dart and look for a cat that suits us, we would appreciate any advise.

. 

sounds like your in the wrong fleet

I wonder how many cat sailors have pondered whether they're in the wrong sport when they're the wrong side of forty, the waistline starts to spread and the other boats start gaining on you? Give up beer? Do three times more exercise to keep the pounds off? Become a Yachtie?

Calistow, had some private messages from mickymouse trying to get him over from Germany for the weekend. Forgot to mention, remember to bring a tapeze harness, we want some slick change-overs on the jetty and don't want people fiddling around swapping gear if we can help it.

Somebody once told me that cat sailing causes alcoholism

or was it alcoholism causes cat sailing.......  I'm confused, where's my Bundy Rum.

as everyone knows, reality is an illusion created by lack of alcohol. luckily I fell off the wagon last weekend (with a big bump) and i'm under no such illusions anymore. god save bud weiser and jack daniels. actually ive found that you can drink as much as you like long as you don't eat anything and i've never gone over 12 stone. my crew is putting on weight though, she's either sneaking in the odd extra snickers bar or its her age - will have to trade her in for a newer model......

.....then again her daddy is the commodore and i might have to pay for my boat parking if i get on his wrong side.

Hurricane wrote: wrong fleet

Yeah, the budweiser fleet is best, acording to horatio posted 22.05. 3. 04a.m./08. June. but you`re right again, castello is in the wrong fleet. I was going to suggest hurricane or tornado to calistow, something a little bigger. But they are only 25% or so out for racing. The rest is cruiesing about, it's poss. the high performance cats are not right for them, but "Topcat" is. You know I`m into Topcat   .

Mickeymouse 

Gm wrote wrong sport.

Yeah, shotput or toss the kayber, sounds about right for the big guys. But it`s only single handed. Sorry Castello couldn`t stop myself. But got you back for Topcat = a tin of catfood . Posted 18. of May. What is 15 stone in kilos anyway?

Mickeymouse

Gozzza wrote I wonder...

I no of one that gave it up and went fishing. Now he`s twice the size, my waste is 42 " and I`m in the right sport and would not stop cat sailing for all your fish and chips in England. But my Doc said, I must stop or cut down on the alcohol. Horatio should di the same too  it doesn`t do his girlfriend any favours.  

Mickeymouse

Hi hurricane,

don`t stop me now, I`m on a roll. Nothing on paper at the moment, but I think it`s coming. I make a lot with Topcat and I like the simple things in life. Two weeks ago in Dubai Topcat center, sailing then straight to Egypt Topcatcenter,sailing they were in Marocco last week and now I am sunburned, but I like the life. But must come back here to get on with my own work

Mickemouse

Catch you later, Mickeymouse

Yeah Gozzza,

your two Topcat demo guys Mike&Mike stop over for a night by me and my girl on the way to England. Boy, what a night. Who let them loose? They had all with them incl. the german beer. But they did look at YandY Formular and asked me, would you know if the YandY team are coming to C.S.S.C. Topcat demo for a test sail. They had no replays from there invitation to the demo.

Mickeymouse

Tornado has a problem.

I hope the Rum worked, when not try Jack Daniels, but when you find the answer let us know. I wait and stick to my beer.

Mickeymouse

Hi castelli, your post 8 th of June.

By the looks of it, we cats sailors all like to have one over the top, so don`t worry about it to much. Sounds to me, that you prefer cruiseing more than racing. I would suggested you race at your club a bit more, for the experience. And have more contact with the cat sailors, for there info. When you don´t get that info, then I would think about changing my club. You said it yourself. C.S.S.C. sounds like a good bunch of guys. If you were thinking of buying a Topcat, then I would go for the K2, you have no problems racing with that extra crat of beer you have on board. Schrs rating K2 = 1,25, Dart 18 = 1,18. You should be slower than them on H/C. But I have no problem keeping with them. It`s also good for cruising about. There`s lots of room on board and nothing on the trampolin getting in the way. Not forgetting it`s twin trapez, lots of fun. Also they have a big space in each hull for the beer. But when you would like more power the K1 is the same design as the K2, but 30 cm longer and with a reacher. Schrs 1,05 try both at the demo C.S.S.C. Have a chat with Mike A. or Mike H., they will put you right. Tipp: when you buy from them at C.S.S.C. demo and help in giving test sail to poss. buyers, then you will get a good discound. I know this first hand.

Mickeymouse  

Hi Mickey Mouse,

We were at the Topcat demo at C.S.S.C. Nice day, the coast guard was there with all the bits and pieces on show, they also had lots of interesting things to talk about and what they get up too.

I found the people to be very friendly at C.S.S.C., they made us and others  

Very welcome there. I must think some more about changing clubs, especially if we get a Topcat. I’m back there with my wife and son to make a decision soon.

We tried out both the K1 and K2 several times; the wind was 3-4 North West. I found both boats easy as each other to sail, the handling was light and tacking it was quick to respond.

We tried hard to get the nose to bury, A bit more wind and I think it would go, but from the look of the design, it will come straight back up. We could not believe how strong and robust it was, with no square edges and everything rounded off nicely,

We couldn’t even see were the joins were and had to be told!

To be able to roll the jib was another good point for us. It’s hard work, trying to do this in a F4 plus, jib sheets in one hand and trying to roll the jib around the stay in the other, I’ve had one or two fat lips in doing this. What I can’t understand is why the dagger rudder design is not used on other cats.

We were coming in across the bottom of the jetty with the rudders half down and missed it. I was waiting for the crunch, but there was nothing. There couldn’t have been 18 inches of water under us. So we harden up and went about sailed nicely back to the jetty, pointed it into the wind and got off: Piece of cake. The rudders were half down.

Our only problem is what to buy, a K2 or K1.The K1 with reacher in the end will be ok for us, but for my wife and kids, I think the K2 will be the one for all of us, we will decide at the next demonstration.