Experts of the Cat sailing world.  I have a dilemma - I have a certain budget to acquire a most excellent sailing craft.  With this budget I can either build my own Cherub or I can acquire a Taipan 4.9, Inter 17, or new wood & epoxy F16 built locally.

I have never sailed Cats before and the main reason to consider a Cat is because there is a growing fleet to join in with whereas with the Cerub I would be alone so any opinions on the relative merits of the above Cats would be most appreciated...Cheers.

Blobby,

You say there is a growing fleet of cats where you sail. What class is most dominant?

I like the sound of a new wood & epoxy F16 as it has been demonstrated many, many times that such a construction is far superior in terms of lightness and stiffness. What design of F16 are you considering?

Weightwise, of the three cats you mention, the F16 will be the lightest and therefore easiest to manouvre ashore.

While I like Cherubs, I have to say that although I only ever sailed one once (many  years ago) I would never consider owning one......

I have an inter 17 for sale

But as you are in Singapore, that is not much good to you.  I would buy whatever you have locally.  F16 is lighter as said above !

Cheers

Simon

Your family might be grateful if you chose another class, and get it ready made  (bit more living space in the lounge)

I Beleive you have a fleet of Taipan 4.9 in Singapore.  Should look at on off them.  Get a spinnaker kit for it if you wish but keep it stock Taipan specs for fleet racing.

Another option would be F-18.  Should be able to get a Tiger that is a few years old for a very reasonable price.  Fastest growing cat fleet in the world (and perhaps any sailboat fleet) and is only going to get a lot stronger.