K, i am 42, sailed for 30 years, last boat was Mumm 36, raced everything from 'round the cans to Chi-Mak, to Newport-Bermuda, always favoured the long distance sutff. Early on I learned to have Fun First Program, bla bla,
Help me make the transition, what boat should i get? what direction should i be looking in? Please help me get my first serious cat. for some day sailing, but mostly regattas, or circit. I will be looking into the F17 first. Thanks

Single handed? Crew? All up crew weight? Price range? What part of the country?

prefer single handed, but i have good crew avail, I am 6'4" and 'bout 230lbs. North shore Lake Erie (where there are no cats) East Coast of Florida winters (Treasure Coast) not too woried bout budget or travel time

F16. What else?

IF you need the option of 1 or 2; the F16 is IMO, top of the list. YOu can have sailss cut to your weight etc....

sails cut for my weight? nice, um hmm, looking into this further, thanks

Hips,
You should consider a few others before you decide.

Acat - single handed, high end, high cost, lots of racing, high level of competition, box rule so you can tweak and change your boat within the 7 rules, boats hold their value well, lots of used boats for less money, $6k for a used older boat, to $25k for a new all carbon min weight. Unirigged, easily rigged, lightweight, easy to move around on the beach. www.usaca.org

F18 - Quickly becoming the 2 man class for racing, multiple manufactures (Hobie, Nacra, etc) tighter ruleset, lots of high caliber racing. New boats in the $16k - $18k range. http://www.f18-international.org/

N20 - Lots of nice boats for sale, used to be the defacto 2 man racer, being taken over by the F18. Lots of good used boats around. Check the classifieds on this website. $7k - $10k used. Lots of the distance races still done on the N20 including the Tybee500. http://www.tybee500.com/

Hips,

North shore of LE puts you in southern Ontario between Fort Erie and Leamington during the summer. The F18 class has really taken off in Ontario...especially the GTA. Hobie Fleet 276 holds an annual regatta at Port Burwell that draws a larger number of Tigers. For more info check out www.cat-alist.com www.ontariosailing.ca or www.hobieclass.com

I guess someone has a stake in those boats?

My post got deleted, and it had no derrogatory or cussing, etc. Just an opinion.

Todd, are you SURE your post was deleted here in the Open Forum? As far as I know, Rick and I are the only ones who have the capability of deleting a post, and it certainly was not either of us.

How big is your crew and how much experience does the crew have? Also, if you will be sailing alone more than two up, check the weight of the boat you are buying, as you will be moving it and stepping the mast alone too. Lighter is better, obviously.

I recomend a spinnaker cat of some type. All the F's have them. F16, F17, F18 two up and I20.Sailing downwind solo on a fast spinnaker cat in a 20 knot blow is about the most demanding sailing you can do. Expect to go swimming a few times until you figure it out.

I sail the north shore of Erie quite a bit.
There a fair number of cats at Turkey Point.
Long Point Bay is one of the best sailing areas for cats.
Flat water and warm water in the summer

Buy the cat you feel you'll get the most use from.

this input is good thanks all, and keep em comin'. ya i agree there will be some learining and swimming involved. I think my size is the issue that first must be resolved, which boat/fleet is better for a big guy? i remember from my fireball days, when i was Teabag, politely asked to stay ashore <12k breeze. when i was at the back of the boat, i of course did much better in heavy air. I realize that was then, and this will be much different. but its where i come from so it plays in the back of the mind.
I agree a spin. boat without a doubt, prefer no crew, I have dealt with crew for many years........
I really like the option of 2 with the F16's however by no means the deciding factor. I will go with the class that gives me distance races, and adventure as a real option.

I love Turkey Point! and yes there is a fair bit of cat sailing there i agree. Not far from me either (welland canal). is anyone orginized there tho? events? (other than pawdahawk?)not sure the spelling on that one.
"buy the cat you feel you'll get the most use from." is good advice, no doubt. some long distance races, good, strong, well attended, fun, and competitive events. and a boat that is well suited for a guy who is 6'4" and 230#. (so as not to determine my position at the start). When i can match these two criteria........

There are a lot of F16's in Central Florida, but not many up where you live I think. If racing is what you want to do, find the most active fleet near you up there, see what they are racing, and maybe get a ride, see how you like it. When you are in Florida you can check out any local regatta and see all the different types there.

The Blade F16 is built up in Titusville, on the east coast just north of Cocoa Beach if you want to get a close up look.

A great opportunity to shop would be to show up at the Tradewinds Regatta, Key Largo, this Jan. 17-18. All the different type cats will be there.

Todd, i would not delete a post, even if i could. goes against the basic premis or ideals of this whole internet thing. Speak your mind, i am looking for input....... repost?

thanks i will make a serious attempt to get to Largo for the regatta

You live less than 70km from me.There alot of used cats at Sherkston, mostly Hobies. I believe there are a few for sale.
I would really consider buying the boat in the U.S. better prices and a much bigger selection.
Get a test sail before you buy.

Fred

Sherkston Shores is another great place for cats, never any organized events however. Yes i will be buying a boat in Florida or ??. this season. hopefully something used and ready to race. New boats are great, but i hate chasing gremlins, and making changes from new. the idea is to get into a boat/class that is a good match for me. 70Km? Hamilton?

Ancaster same as Hamilton.

Fred