The new F18 Bimare hulls are 12kg - (each) heavier than the new HT hulls, so you've got a lot of room to add reinforcement for jib bridals, etc. The beams are too narrow, so they need to be replaced.

The mast has to be replaced, sails, spin, add rigging for a jib,new beams.

Probably not worth the effort, just another random thought.

If you have HT hulls. go for it! I did and am quite happy. Use a front bar or bridal foil to distribute the loads from a jib.

Here is how we have done it-

http://www.catsailor.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=141814#Post141814

Nope...crewed on an SRMax 21 sport boat in October 1999 that set the hook. Bought an old beatup Nacra 5.2 that December.

Bill,
Don't the HT hulls have carbon in them or are they made of all carbon?
If so that would make them illegal as a platform.
-Todd

20 years is a long time in F18 Rolf!

Nope, glass and foam.

So a Hawk with good sails and new rearbeam is a dog? More so than a Tiger? Honestly, I dont know so I am asking.

I've been told the Hawk has a good hullshape(Have not had a look at one for ages mind); I wonder if they did get lazy with the Vx40's and just copy it, or is WAS a good shape.

Would be interesting to see a good Hawk with decent sails to see how well it went.

The Hawk with a new rear beam and rig (ie including mast) will be just as quick as every other F18. I bet anyone who tells you otherwise can't live without their i-phone.

I'd like to be able to race, but my main goal is just to have fun. I still have some friends and now a wife who greatly enjoy going out sailing and and just having fun of the water.

One other concern I'm having with an F18 is the rigging time. With the Getaway and H16 I can be sailing 15-20min after arriving at the water with the boat on a trailer. I can push that to 30min, but after that it will start to impose on my interest to take it out for just an hour or two. Other than that I'd love to have a race boat.

I agree on the Test Drive. One thing I have noticed is that all F18, F16 and one design (A Cat) keeps their value well compared to other non race cats. I understand that this is because they are attractive classes and participation is good. I do feel the boat I'm looking at is priced just bellow the cost of a 2000 Tiger, in similar shape. My thoughts are that if this cat does follow the F18 rules then it's priced well. But it if falls outside of the rule, then it's just "another" cat and maybe not such a great deal... I don't know.

That is the big trade off. Sounds like you have the right boat and you can still race it if you want to.

Put Hiram's Haul on your calendar, you won't regret it!

The Inter 18 is a great boat, mines in my back garden at the minute. They are fully F18 legal. They're well equipped and well built, but it is worth to check the bottom before you buy one as they can get quite messed up on inters. The only weak spot on them is down wind in waves where waves hit the front beam and dolphin striker.

The hawk is alright boat aswell but from what i gather it lacks a bit of bouancy in the bow.

If the boat and sails are in good shape it would be a good boat.

The set up time off a trailer could be done in 30 minutes since you don't have a spinnaker.

Two items that make a huge difference are a good set of boat Wheels, You simply cannot drag this boat on the ground (and keep it in one piece)... Hopefully they are included in the package (big inflatable black wheels are better then small inflateable orange wheels better then hard blue plastic wheels.)

Also a good sail box on the trailer will be important. You will need to store a bit more gear. Unlike your current boat... you will have to pull out and put boards on the boat... Attach the boom to the mast. Pull out and put the rudders and tiller bar and then zipper on the jib. Since you are trailering around you will need to wrap them so they don't chip or put them in bags in your sail box. If the mast is carbon... it should be the same effort to hoist it and then have your partner pin the forestay as your current boat. You could spend a couple three years learning to sail the boat with the existing sails while slowly getting in the racing game. It's a big step up from where you are at. When the racing bug bites...Race the boat in open class... when the spin bug bites... buy a used spin from the F18 fleet and race with those guys... When you are REALLY bitten... upgrade to a more recent race ready model... when the lottery comes in.... go crazy!

Have fun

If you need a sailbox, I know Trey has ONE MORE Lunchbox that he needs to unload. They are the ULTIMATE sailboxes. Made from polished diamondplate aluminum, you'll be the envy of pickup truck drivers everywhere for the size of your diamondplate box

I got one of Trey's very nice aluminum sailboxes last year, so I'm all set there.

Mark..

Do you think I can rig this boat and get it in the water in about 30min? It does come with beach wheels, that will be an improvement over dragging 500lbs across the sand, you can't harm the Getaway though, it is an undestructable tank.

well, one is never enough :P

True, just look at Zanders, he's got 2 I think.

yes, he does, and though I designed those boxes on Zander's setup, they're neither as shiny nor as fancy as Trey's! I work at a place that does $10s of millions a year in fabrication and I couldn't come close to Trey's price on those boxes after materials, doing the fab work myself, and two cases of beer for the welder.

Yes, getting one of Trey's were one of the better investments I've made.

I get aluminum scuff marks on rudders and sail from the Aluminum rubbing. I know a sail bag would take care of that. But what about covering the bottom with that stuff the put on boat trailers, the fabric the actual boat "glides" on?