Versatile cat for lightweights?

   I think the F16s are the only thing about that would tempt me into moving into cats...

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Delicious Digg Facebook Furl Google MySpace Newsvine reddit StumbleUpon Translate Twitter Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
Isis Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Sep 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2753	Post Options Post Reply Quote Isis Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Versatile cat for lightweights? Posted: 17 Apr 06 at 6:43pm
	I think the F16s are the only thing about that would tempt me into moving into cats...

Worthy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 07 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 511	Post Options Post Reply Quote Worthy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Apr 06 at 6:54pm
	I would also say F16 or spitfire. From what I have seen on the circuit the Spitfires have a better social scene

Jalani Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 03 May 05 Location: Great Britain Online Status: Offline Posts: 164	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jalani Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Apr 06 at 7:16pm
	The proposed UK circuit for 2006 is on the F16 website, but at present it's just these events: 5 Nations Cup at Mumbles Yacht Club - June 3rd/4th/5th East Coast Piers Race - July 1st/2nd Eastbourne - July 29th/30th Datchet - September (tbc) Grafham Water - October 21st/22nd Next year it will be more. The UK class Assoc is being formed imminently. The International Assoc is about to be announced this month, as is the US Assoc. Other countries will follow in the next couple of months. PS There is nothing wrong at all with the Dart 15 other than it is 'old school', slightly underpowered and no kite. There is the possibility of a two part carbon mast for F16 - John Pierce at Stealth is currently working on one. As for cartopping, you'd have to take the boat completely apart, but it is do-able! Personally, trailing is much easier and is really no hassle at all as the boat only weighs 107Kg! A really lightweight trailer is quite practical. Because the F16 is so light, it's a delight to sail. It's responsive, tacks (almost) like a dinghy and performs even in the light stuff. Despite this they are strong as I've demonstrated on more than one occasion Any reasonable dinghy helm should be able to jump onto an F16 and quickly feel at home (as I said previously, racing competitively takes a little longer) Edited by Jalani

Jack Sparrow Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jack Sparrow Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Apr 06 at 11:28pm
	Thanks guys for all the help. As a complete cat virgin I am struggling with the easy to sail part. I can get the physical and relative stability side of easy to sail but having watched the spitfire videos I am not getting the easy to sail bit in terms of high speed pitch poles! This doesn't bother me but I can imagine it would bother my son and maybe my wife. ( after discussion, yes it bothers my wife. ) Is the spitfire more prone to this than the F16 stealth? Or is this a fact of life with the F16 box rule? And would you recommend a cat conversion course? Edited by Jack Sparrow
	Farr 3.7 Class Website Farr 3.7 Building - Facebook Group

Scooby_simon Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 02 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2415	Post Options Post Reply Quote Scooby_simon Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Apr 06 at 11:42pm
	Jack, You sail a Cherub, you will have no problems with the F16, yes, it will be a lot quicker and you will need to explain to the wife that speed does not = lack of control. You will need to relearn some of what you know, but someone like John Pierce would be able to include this in a "new boat package" Catsailing is just slightly different, not a new sport! Edited by Scooby_simon
	Wanna learn to Ski - PM me..

Jalani Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 03 May 05 Location: Great Britain Online Status: Offline Posts: 164	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jalani Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Apr 06 at 8:26am
	Jack, Pitchpoling is not mandatory or even the 'norm'. The Stealth has T foil rudders and is therefore less prone to pitchpoling than other 16 footers including the Spitfire. However, in ALL cases, you have to be 'pushing hard''.

scottish_tornad Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Groupie Joined: 17 Apr 06 Location: Scotland Online Status: Offline Posts: 57	Post Options Post Reply Quote scottish_tornad Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Apr 06 at 9:45am
	Jack As Simon and Jalani said cat sailing is not a black art and you will probably find that most cat sailors have their roots in wobbily boats I for one used to race Fireballs and ents before getting into cats. Tacking was the one area i had problems with at first but once you get the idea that you need to get your ( and your crews weight) towards the back of the boat to help it through the tack along with the smooth rudder movements then the rest is much the same as you now do just faster. as for pitchpoling in the five years I have been sailing cats I have only done it twice both times in a F5-6 and pushing the boat hard. A good book to get your hands on is The Catamaran book by Brian Phipps published by Fenhurst books the third iddition covers sailing with a kite this should dispell some of your worries. Cats really are fun but challenging to sail fast.
	tornado GBR389 www.dalgetybaysc.org/home.htm

Jack Sparrow Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jack Sparrow Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Apr 06 at 5:32pm
	Thanks guys. I've got a cat DVD on order. Do you know if any F16's will be a the Datchet Boat show thing?
	Farr 3.7 Class Website Farr 3.7 Building - Facebook Group

Jalani Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 03 May 05 Location: Great Britain Online Status: Offline Posts: 164	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jalani Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Apr 06 at 6:16pm
	From the CatSailor Forum (posted by a flag officer of Datchet sailing Club): "On the May bank holiday there will be an "On the Water" show at Datchet Sailing Club. See attachment). On display will be: The Nacra Infusion. Brand new Stealth F16 complete and for sale. Also many second hand cats, including 16 month old Stealth, Hobie Tiger, Hobie FX1, Nacra Balst complete with kite, Inet 20. Maybe Paul's new Blade will be on show? All can be sailed and purchased on the day. (Maybe not Paul's Blade!) Also see the new Capricorn and the new Top cat range. Should be a good weekend! "

Suede Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 18 Nov 05 Location: Sweden Online Status: Offline Posts: 12	Post Options Post Reply Quote Suede Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Apr 06 at 8:14pm
	What is the optimum crewweight for an F16? Sailing a Hobie 16 now but want to change boat. Me 81kg and my crew 85kg, maybe too heavy for an F16? An F18 might be a better option? A good thing about the F16s is that they can be sailed singlehanded...
	May the Force 5 be with you