Which cat should I buy?

   I'm looking to buy a cat mainly for single-handed use on a nearby reservoir. I sailed dinghies in my youth but I have mainly sailed bigger boats since. I'm middle-aged and under 11 stone (65kg) so I don't want anything too extreme and I am not planning on racing. So what should I be considering? Budget is up to around £5k. I guess the Dart/Sprint 15 and the new Topaz 14 are obvious contenders. Anything else? What are the best websites for buying second-hand?  

Thanks in advance for any advice.

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DaveT2 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 22 Feb 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote DaveT2 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Which cat should I buy? Posted: 22 Feb 08 at 3:26pm
	I'm looking to buy a cat mainly for single-handed use on a nearby reservoir. I sailed dinghies in my youth but I have mainly sailed bigger boats since. I'm middle-aged and under 11 stone (65kg) so I don't want anything too extreme and I am not planning on racing. So what should I be considering? Budget is up to around £5k. I guess the Dart/Sprint 15 and the new Topaz 14 are obvious contenders. Anything else? What are the best websites for buying second-hand? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Sprint Bob Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 17 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 314	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sprint Bob Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Feb 08 at 5:43pm
	Hi Dave, Yes, you should certainly consider the Sprint 15. It is by far the most active single handed catamaran Class in the UK and the fleet are very friendly and helpful. The trouble with buying a Topaz or one of the other new offerings is that you will be forever sailing alone, and handicap racing a catamaran is not ideal - particularly if you are sailing against monohulls. Each year the Sprint 15 Class Association runs 6 two-day summer traveller events (15-35) , 2 National Championsips (35-86), 2 training teach ins (10-20) and 5 one day winter travellers (15-25) per year. Typical attendances are shown in brackets. Additionally, quite a few clubs have big enough fleets for fleet racing at Club level. See clubs on the website. The Class also run a fun sailing few days for those punters who prefer cruising to racing (this year we will be exploring the Thames Estuary from Thorpe Bay). Don't take my word for it - have a look around www.sprint15.com The web site has lots of helpful advice and all the results for the last 7 years. It is also the best place to look for adverts to buy second hand boats. If you look on the boats for sale page there is also a buyers guide which tells you the age and value of boats by sail number. There are also some helpful tips on what to look for in second hand boats. Yachts and Yachting did a 4 page boat review in Nov 2005 and we will be giving out reprints of this at the Alexandra Palace dinghy show next weekend (as well as a 12 page special magazine for new punters). If you want any further info please let me know - or put something on the chat page of the Sprint 15 website & see what you get. Cheers Bob (Sprint 15 Association events secretary)

radixon Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2407	Post Options Post Reply Quote radixon Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Feb 08 at 8:23pm
	Have to say Dave, you got a very quick response from the man who sails them regularly. We have Dart 15/Sprint 15 at our club in Essex, and having sailed one can say they are easy to handle. You mention the new Topper boat, it does depend what you want to acheive but for the price of one of them, you can get a decent 15 for that money. Other websites are apolloduck and boatsandoutboards but would say the class websites are the best place to look. You don't say where you are, but another thing you may want to do is a cat sailing course, to brush up those skills and learn from those that know. After that, there maybe someone that may let you go out with them or have a go on their boat before buying.

DaveT2 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 22 Feb 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote DaveT2 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb 08 at 12:44pm
	Many thanks for your replies. I think you are quite right, Bob, to point out that the Dart/Sprint 15 is an established class which means they are available second hand and there are much better opportunities for racing. There also seems to be a very active owners club and I've had a look at the website this morning - an impressive site with lots of useful info. I saw the new Topaz at the recent Excel Boatshow and liked the new 14 especially in "xtreme" form which has a mylar main and asymmetric for about £4k new. I'm hoping to come to the AP show next weekend where I hope I'll be able to see a new Sprint 15! I plan to do a cat conversion course at Farmoor and ideally I would like to try both boats before deciding to buy. Thanks again Dave