Thinking of moving to Cats

Can anybody help me with some advice please?

Where can I find out about used cats?

I am thinking of changing from a dinghy to a cat but am not sure which one would be the best option.

I curently sail a merlin or mirror, depending on whether I have a crew (the mirror is getting most use) on the thames estuary. I am about 15ish stone and would like a cat that I can sail single handed in handicap races, crusing/racing with my 8 year old son or occasionally with two adults. I have never trapezed before so I would need something that can be sailed without a trapeze initially.

I also have limited funds available so it needs to be relatively cheap.

I have found some information about the Dart 15 and possibly the catapult with looks as if it will fit the bill, but there must be others that are worth a look.

Thanks for any help given

Steve

You can SAIL any catamaran without a trapeze. But to get the best out of the design you do need a trap, if the boat was designed to use one (or two). Cats without traps as normal are: Catapult (it wouldn't be my choice), Hobie Wave, Hobie 14, Dart 15, Topcat 15, Prindle 15. The last 4 can all have traps fitted (and most of them have). IMO the Dart/Sprint 15 is the pick of the bunch.

You should also consider the Hobie Twixxy and Dragoon designs. Both have the potential to be sailed solo with main only, main and jib, or main, jib and spin. Both have single and twin trap options. So you start off with the basics and build as your ability/confidence improves (which should only take half a dozen or so outings). There would be nothing worse than buying an underpowered boat and then outgrowing it in a few weeks.

Steve at 15 stone you'd be very disappointed with all of the smaller cats. Weight is a real cat-killer, so you need to factor this in when deciding on a preferred design. All of these 14-15ft designs are aimed at the 60-110Kg range all up. So as soon as you put two people on one, youre' close to maxxing out on the boat and need to be aware of that. The boat will still sail quite well in a good breeze, but could go faster with less weight and still be easily handled.

I'd certainly consider a Dart 18 or a 16 as alternatives. Also pretty much any of the older design cats up to 18ft. You won't initially find the lack of a trapeze to be a problem. You just back-off a bit! Later you can start trapping and getting the best from the boat.

If you're prepared to do a bit of ongoing maintenance, you should also consider much older boats like the Condor, Hurricane 4.9, (same boat), Hydra, Mystere etc.

You'll have to search pretty hard to find those 'brains' (according to my wife, that is!) but sure, mine's an IPA!!

Hi Steve,

The Sprint 15 (ex Dart 15) is ideally suited to single handed sailing and sailing 2 up with a junior (8-15). It can be fun sailed with 2 full adults but is not competitive if raced with 2 full adults (so if this is going to be a big problem go with the Dart 18).  It is light to handle on shore and can be sailed with or without a crew on the same PY (just add the jib). It is easily righted from a capsize single handed (not true of the Dart 16 or the Dart 18 - which also needs use of the trapeze for both single handed sailing or 2 up sailing). In it's standard format the Sprint 15 is sailed without the trapeze but in the Sport mode it can be sailed with trapeze & jib and it forms a stable platform to learn trapezing.

The class the UKs second biggest catamaran class is very active and friendly. It is a good idea to look at the web sites to gauge the activity levels and friendliness of the various classes. Some of them are

www.sprint15.com

www.dart18.com

www.dart16.com

www.catamaran.co.uk   has many more links

There are big fleets of Sprint 15s at Thorpe Bay Sailing Club & Marconi Sailing Club which are near you - so if you are interested go along one Sunday and have a chat with them.

The class also sets up for demonstration rides for anone who is interested.

Best of luck

Bob (Sprint 15 events secretary)

PS the Catapult is in the death throws and is no longer available new. It is only a single handed boat with one sail and