I've been visiting this forum every chance that I get. A friend, up in Hastings, wants to give me the 14 ft cat that he has. He was given the cat by another friend, because he was moving to NC and didn't want to take it with him. Well it's been sitting on his yard, on it's trailer, ever since ( 2 years) and he would like to give it to someone who will use it. It's in good shape and the sails have been kept inside. I have always loved the thought of sailing and the beauty of the wind and the water. What I'm really worried about is, am I up to it? I hear replies to posts about whole crews getting hernias and having to pump iron just to keep in shape. I'm 54 years and a gal who doesn't know anything about sailing. I will be a solo sailer, probably most of the time. Seems to me that the raising of the mast and righting a tipped cat would be the most troublesome. Do you need a float at the top of your mast so it doesn't turtle? I'm excited and at the same time a bit apprehensive at the thought a such a unfamiliar venture. I can understand that it would be to my advantage to be as fit as I can. I have had back problems before so I don't want to get hurt trying to have fun. I have no one that I know around here in southcentral Mn that is familiar with cats but I may meet some this summer on the beach. I plan to get the video on beginning sail boating and visit the Hobie dealer up in White Bear Lake. What else do you think I should be doing? Maybe like Popeye and eats me spinich? Thanx for your help.

Tudy