Hi, I'm looking for some further guidance on what to shop for as a first boat as I'm awaiting my first sailing class.

I'm Totally new to sailing.
It should be primarily (or easily) soloable (launching, sailing).
I have to garage it. 16' would be a big stretch... 14' is more realistic. Slight possibility of putting the trailer tongue out the rear window with a 16' (garage is 19' with the window closed <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />)

So although I am in love with cats (and I'm sure this is like asking a drug dealer if cocaine is good for you) what might be some pro/con type considerations of just going with something like a Laser vs. a Hobie 14 (turbo?) for a guy like me.

I do love the speed (for the sheer joy of it - ZERO interest in racing). I would, however, like to be able chill and eat a sandwich now and again. Cat seems better for that. I also live in VT - lake Champlain - short/cold season. Ironically, the laser actually looks wetter than the high-tramp Hobie (when both feet are on the water, at least).

I'm semi-young, semi-athletic, and have no worries about pitchpoling or swimming when things get exciting. Various ratings systems seem to say the turbo-14 is faster and more exciting (especially as you fly through the air towards the bow).

So are there any big drawbacks... maybe rigging or launching even... with a Hobie 14 vs. a Laser for a beginner? They are certainly both in my price range.

Thanks again for a great forum...

Yes. It is not only good for you - it is great for you!


(the catamaran)

and come on man.... all the cool kids are doing it!

Sold on a cat, eh? How about a Hobie Wave? The Hobie 14 has a propensity to pitchpole more than the Wave, but is cheaper. However, the 14 hasn't been made for 20 years so they are an aged boat.

If storage on a trailer is an issue can you fit a Hobie 16 in the garage without the trailer? You could roll it into the garage on the trailer then hang it, assembled, from the ceiling on a system of pulleys.

The Laser is as wet as a cat but not as stable, meaning they tip (not necessarily capsize) easily. You're not afraid of a pitchpole? It sounds like you haven't experienced one. I don't think there's a cat sailor who would agree with you. I enjoy the occasional capsize, but pitchpoles are never entertaining.

Nothing compares to a cat for higher average speeds or huge area of space to get comfotable on. They have terrific stability, and are much more forgiving of weight placement than a dinghy.

I've got a couple of monos for the kids and sail with them and they are good fun for sailing but the thrill of a cat is something you never tire of.
regards

What kind of monos for the kids?

Even a 14 ft cat can be too much for a 19 ft long garage, depending on the rudder system, and assuming you don't want to disassemble the rudders for stowage. Look for something with a cassete style rudder or a pivoting rudder that can rotate 180 degrees (horizontally or vertically).

Yeah, I'm really boxed in on the garage thing. I had figured I'd put the rudders down/vertical once in the garage - pictures I've seen seem to show that adding about a foot of overall length. Then the trailer tongue is the big problem. The pulley idea is a good one - but I wouldn't be able to open the garage door. Could you crank a typical cat up further towards the front of the trailer for storage (not while on the road), so the tip of the hulls were even with the trailer hitch point?

There is seriously a back window dead center with the garage bay. The sill is probably 2' off the ground. As crazy as it sounds, I'm tempted have that trailer tongue stick out that back window.

I just need to see something in person with tape measure in hand. As if to further tease me, there's a Prindle 16' in the want ads now... everything I'm reading seems to indicate that this might be a great solo boat. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Are you a decent mechanic/hobbyist? Cut the tongue and throw pieces of angle steel or aluminum on the sides, drill holes for cross bolts and you can have a retracting tongue.

If this is about having fun, you will be less than thrilled on a Laser if you have had a taste of real speed on a cat.

you can move the cat on the trailer as far forward as possible provided you are distributing the weight of the boat on the cradle well enough. I had a deep garage and could put my 6.0 in it on the trailer but I had to move the boat up pretty far on the trailer. Most boats hang out about 3-4 feet (maybe less) from the true end of the trailer.

Why not remove the rudders, Its not like they are welded to the boat or anything... I have a Nacra 5.2 and its no big deal to take them off. Just don't tape all the split rings every time.

Those are some good ideas for getting a little extra 'fit' in the garage. I'll keep those in mind as I look. Hadn't thought of modifying the trailer itself... certainly another possibility. I took some more measurements, and am going to go check out the Prindle with tape in hand. Fingers crossed... maybe I'll get lucky.

Mary both 420's are for the kids, my 10yr old and 12yr old daughters are skippers who drag friends along to crew and my 7yr old son also crews for them if forced to but prefers to crew on the 14ft sundance cat at the club.

Hobie Bravo
Shorter boat, shorter trailer
Cheaper
Easy to reef and furl, many dinghys do not reef at all
Lunch storage
Room for a date
You can stand on the side to ...

One thing I noticed is there is a lot of "I"s in your post.
If your a solo sailor looking for a place to start think Laser, used Hobie 14 (or 17), or IC. Once you get comfortable out there then look around and see what class you may want to spend the rest of you life with. I started with a NACRA 5.2 then moved to 18Sq. then the kids came along, 15 years later I find that there is no 18Sq fleet to speak of, and am building an A cat.

If you've got the cash and want to go with a new boat, here's an interesting alternative that fits your dimension issues:

Weta Tri

I had a Hobie 16 in my single car garage, had to put the rudders down and then laid the mast outside next to the garage. I'll have to measure to see how long my garage is. That was my first boat $500.00 of mistakes and smiles, lot of smiles. Lasted for one season and the hulls were like Jello when I took the boat to Hans Geisler(G-Cat Builder/Designer) for repair. He promptly told me the boat was not safe and was beyond repair. I sold the trailor with the boat on it to a guy that swore he knew how to fix it, that Hans did not know what he was talking about. He sailed it 8 times, the bow broke off, boat washed up on shore, he had the trailor, Hans was correct, lots of smiles. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

If you want the speed get the wave its a good starting platform. Rotomolded hulls are resilient and help when you miss judge that boat ramp ar beach. ( the thud of plastic sounds better than the crack of fiberglass) as you progress in skill level you can spin rig it or move up from there. for a small boat its probably your best bet.

My garage is 19 1/2 feet long and my Hobie 16 fit in it, probably only used about 18 feet.