Dear all,

I'm a newbie considering to buy a catamaran but am a bit dazzled by the different brands/types. I plan to sail on Texel (thus North Sea and beach landings) as my folks live there. I plan to sail mostly with a crew of 2 (130-140 kg no equip), but it would be nice to be able to sail it alone.
Currently, this is what i am considering (based on asking around):
1) Hobie 16. Affordable. Robust. Sails well with moderate winds and up. Con: as the hull gets older, the ship gets less stiff. Also needs 2 people to right the boat.
2) Prindle 16. Slower (less exciting) boat, but more durable because the trapeze is enbedded. Same liking for stronger winds. Pro: lighter, thus better suited to right up alone.
3) Nacro (5?) or other boat with swords. Can sail better against the wind and performs better also with lesser winds. Con: if you forget the swords on a beach landing, you're in for a big repair. Also somewhat more expensive then a Hobie or Prindle.
4) Dart (18?). Saw the name in some adds but don't know to well how to compare.

I would greatly appreciate any comments on this (or referrals to good discussions about this).

Bas.

All of those boats will work. Also consider the Hobie Dragoon, Mystere 4.3 , NACRA 5.0 and Mystere 5.0.
The are a few simple suggestions for a first boat.


1) Start simple and small. A Hobie Dragoon, Wave, or Mystere 4.3 may not be the best long term boat, but you can learn the basics without scaring yourself or crew to the point you will not get on a boat. The smaller the boat, the more likley you can get out of trouble by yourself

2 )MAKE SURE YOU CAN RIGHT THE BOAT UNDER THE WORST CONDITIONS BECAUSE YOU JUST MIGHT CREATE THE WORST CONDITIONS YOUR FIRST YEAR.

3) You are going to damage your boat a lot the first year. Buy something you can afford to fix

4) Sail as much as you can, then sail some more. The key to learning to sail is time at the helm

5) Take lessons if you can. I look at the Laser Sailors that have been through the sailing school system and they are so good (They are also 18 years old with 12 years racing experience)

6) If during your novice year there are a bunch of boats with the skippers looking at the sky and you are the only boat getting ready to go out, stop and ask the other skippers why.

Good luck and ask questions

Hi Bas,

You could also take a look at the Nacra 5.7 or 570.
This is a good ship without swords which makes landing on the beach more easy.
You can sail it alone and wit a crew, and has more distance between the water and the trampoline than the Dart 18.

You can also vist Jan de Boer Catamarans for a honest advise, ask for Bas.

you can find them @ www.jandeboer.com

Or vistit the next big cat event at Hellecat (hellevoetsluis) www.hellecat.nl

I am sure people there will give you all the advise you need.

Good luck

[color:"blue"] [/color] Though I have not experienced it, I have heard much about the tendency of a Hobie 16 to pitchpole. Based on firsthand knowledge, the Prindle 16 sails like a dream, practically steers itself, hugs the water and is very stable, though it's not the easiest cat to tack, nor is it very easy to sail alone, because each rudder has to be lowered individually. Used models are inexpensive in the US. A Hobie Wave is an even better starter cat, though not as fast as a Prindle 16, but is very stable, and easy to handle, the crossbar will lower both rudders, and there is no boom to duck. It seems to plow through the water a little instead of squatting into it and slicing through it like the Prinde does, but one person can operate it easily. Used models would be more expensive than the Prindle. Good luck with your search.