Guys, I'm new to catamaran sailing and am trying to select a first boat. The Hobie Getaway seems docile and I think I would soon get bored with it. I considered the H16 but read of pitchpole tendencies and hull delamination problems. Nacra seems to be a nice boat and the F-17 is designed for one person. Most of my sailing will be off the North Carolina coast. I weigh 180 lbs and plan on sailing solo most of the time. OK, so the F-17 is a race boat and I realize that it may be too much for me but on the other hand maybe it is something I could grow into as I gain experience. I would like to minimize my boat buying and selling by making the best decision to begin with. Any comments regarding the F-17 as a first boat will be appreciated.

The F-17 certainly isn't an ideal first boat to learn on, but it can be done. If you have someone around that is familiar with these types of boats (F18s, N20's, F16s) then you can pull it off. Just be prepared to go swimming a couple times as you get used to it. I would learn how to sail the boat upwind and then down without the spin first just so you get used to handling the mainsheet, then move on to handling the spinnaker.

The key is finding a local, easily accessible source of knowledge to glean information off of.

I'm with tad on this one, unless you are really experienced with sailing other types of high performance boats. They are high performance. What is your sailing experience?

You might want to think about getting a used H17 for a couple years and then go to the F16, which has the option to bring friends out racing.

Also, beginners mistakes are much more costly and structurally severe on a boat such as an F17 than say a Hobie 17.

Matt

hmmmm.. what am I gonna say?
F17 = too heavy, probably not gonna grow much more maybe??? but if you race it well it is a DPN winner
H17 = too heavy, DBS
F16 = just right

<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

TB,
Shoot me an email (it's in my profile) and I'll give you the pleasure of 30 years of catsailing opinion. A lot of the "experts" now here on this forum are very, very, "rookie".

Bob <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

C'MON!! GIVE IT UP!! We all want to hear this.

But, I have to say this, thirty years is just a fad! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I know someone who's had over 40 years sailing experience. I wouldn't let him within 50ft of my son's Topper dinghy <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I would recommend the Nacra 500, maybe with a spinnaker. Much easier boat to sail and a lot less expensive. With a spinnaker it would really be a fun boat.
Dave

Send Bob a note, He's probably the only one that has sailed or touched the boat posting.
Spring Fever 5 F17 Raced
Alum Creek Oh. 8 F17s the nineth was RC & two other regular OCRA F17s were missing.

Ted

Yep, me "expert" rookie! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

PTP
-------------
Master Rookie Sailor

The F-17 is a great boat and the fleet in the south will slowly start to build.

A lot of the growth will be depend upon the local Nacra dealer's interest.

You can rig it with or without the spinnaker for learning. I believe there are a couple in the used market available.

Bob Curry is a great resource for information and a great guy.

Good luck.

And one of the best catamaran sailors in the world -- especially on single-handers.

Depends, which version are you referring to....<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> How much sailing experience do you have anyway?

Here's a link to the F17 class site: http://nacraclass.com/F17.htm

BC

There is a GREAT deal on a used F17 on this web site (FL boat)! For $5,500 with (2) mains and spinsakers.

The F17 has been in heavy chop in Lake Michigan and the Atlantic (ref Tybee Island, GA PRW).

Is that why the N17 is so popular in Michigan? I figure it has to do better in the chop of Lake Michigan better than any other singlehander.

Sorry, I don't understand. Which version of what? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

And are you asking me how much sailing experience I have? Why would anybody care?

If you are asking about Bob Curry, you can find information about him by going to the catsailor.com home page and opening the Hall of Fame Museum in our site index.

P.S. That info has not been updated for a long time to include his more recent championships.

What is the reasoning behind the "F" in the F17 class boats?

Marketting.

yep, has to be. Is there any other boat that has the F designation but is a ODOM boat?