Cat questions
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Multihulls
Forum Name: Dinghy multihulls
Forum Discription: For those who prefer two (or more) hulls to one!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8022
Printed Date: 08 Aug 25 at 8:24am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Cat questions
Posted By: Owenfackrell
Subject: Cat questions
Date Posted: 12 Jul 11 at 7:52am
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Hi all
I now have a dart 18 which I took out for the first time at the weekend and boy was it fun. I now have a couple of questions which I hope you can help with. First off what is the best way to strap her down to the trailer (I'm keeping her at home). Also on Sunday it was an on shore wind and coming in was a little interesting to say the least with the speed of her I settled on a come in and then turn head to wind and jump over the side type of action. Is there a better way of doing this? Cheers. I'm sure I will have plenty of more questions like keeping the hull flying. |
Replies:
Posted By: Wee Man
Date Posted: 12 Jul 11 at 8:28am
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Truck strap over the whole boat (don't squeeze too hard) plus straps over each bow to the trailer works best for us.
Coming on to the beach (assuming it's nice and sandy) in shore break just sail straight on popping the rudders before they get mushed, or you can bring it in backwards (not good for rudders if they drop).
Watch what everyone else does and copy them. Enjoy.
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Posted By: stewart smith
Date Posted: 15 Jul 11 at 10:06pm
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Reading your post reminds me and I am sure many other cat sailors, about sailing our own cats for the first time. Just the thought brings a smile to my face. I suggest that you get a copy of “The Catamaran Book” by Brian Phipps. It might be a little dated but still very relevant, especially as you have a Dart 18. I help with some catamaran instructing with the Scouts and at my sailing club and find this book gives a good starting point, particularly with tacking and gibing drills. Don’t bother with the Jeremy Evens book. It’s got better pictures but I feel is full of mistakes. ------------- Stewart Smith |
Posted By: ASok
Date Posted: 15 Jul 11 at 10:46pm
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Hi - where are you sailing? What sail number have you got? The cat book by Brian Phipps is a good read. It is Dart biased and will give you a good introduction into rigging and sailing the boat. Get signed up to the Dart 18 class. They run a fantastic training event every year at the beginning of the season. Its run by the top guys of the fleet and is a great learning experience from the basics right through to race training. Its a really good confidence builder for any level of sailor. On the specific question of landing on a lee shore, I'd not suggest running it up the beach. You'll ruin your gel coat. Those two rudders will act as amazing brakes and those slow tacks you might have noticed come in handy when landing. Just come in as slow as possible and stuff it hard into the wind. The boat will park and you can throw the crew off to hold the boat steady. I normally pop one rudder up early to make it easy to protect them. With the straps, I'd strap around the hulls forward of the front beam, one around the mast foot and one over the back. Also strap the trailer down if possible or load up that trailer box to add weight. Have fun - any more questions please ask or try the Dart 18.com website where there is a wealth of knowledge Edit - just re-read above posts and would agree that if there is a shore break, just ride it in. You'll just get munched by waves if you try and land my way ------------- |
Posted By: Owenfackrell
Date Posted: 16 Jul 11 at 3:31pm
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Hi
The sail number is 1014 but it's not the correct one for the hulls in fact she's a mongrel as one hull has the number 1962 and the other one starts with a 4 but it's been repaired at some point and this has covered the number. I generally launch at hythe Marina which is a wide concrete slip with rocks either side. It has the advantage that even when its a lee shore the direction it faces means that there isnt any room for any kind of swell to build up I haven't joined a sailing club as I just don't get the time to sail often enough to warrent the costs. I only messed up the first tack and after that just took them slowly. I will mostly sailing on my own or with my 4 & 8 year old kids. |
Posted By: Teamvmg
Date Posted: 16 Jul 11 at 5:56pm
I would say that that DOES warrant the costs!
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Posted By: ASok
Date Posted: 17 Jul 11 at 4:40pm
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Hythe Marina as in Southampton?
How much are MDL charging you to store there? I used to work for MDL in Plymouth and the dingies in storage got a rough deal. Not that cheap to store, no club atmposhere, no support etc.
I suggest you consider popping down to Netley SC for a chat with us. We have loads of Dart 18's. Most Sundays there are between 5-10 on the start line. Its a great family atmosphere club and encourages kids of all ages and has a great sailing area to boot.
The fees are really reasonable for storage and membership. I'd seriously review your current arrangements get in contact. ------------- |
Posted By: Owenfackrell
Date Posted: 17 Jul 11 at 4:47pm
| I only use the public slipway there and the parking which is cheap enough I store the boat at home as I can only get out every other week at most due to other commitments. |
Posted By: ASok
Date Posted: 18 Jul 11 at 8:35am
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Ah ok. Not a bad arrangement if you can manage that. I'm still going to give a massive plug for Netley though  ------------- |
Posted By: Owenfackrell
Date Posted: 18 Jul 11 at 9:11am
| I did look at the netley site and it does seem good but as I live in Blackfield it would take me at least half an hour at best to get there but if my circumstance change I will look at it again. |