I'm following up on another R21 lead I saw in the classifieds and am curious to know more about the type. I saw some detailed pictures of the boat that was for sale in Louisiana, but wasn't able to make it down to seal the deal. Now that another one turned up, I am interested in hearing from owners past and present or other informed individuals.

1. What is the setup/breakdown times for a cat like this. I'm assuming at 11.5' it is too wide to just angle like a Tornado.

2. Could this be a good minimalist camper if one is used to a backpacker's economy?

3. Can a person singlehand this boat fairly easily?

4. What is the speed like on this cat? I guess I should check the #s.

Thanks,

Dan [color:"blue"] [/color]

You said you could not follow up on the boat in LA. Was it sold? It is parked in the slip next to my Stiletto where it has been for a while. Of course I haven't talked to him and don't know if he sold it. I've seen it sailed solo pretty easily and its pretty quick. Relative to what, I'm not sure but its faster than a H16 in the right conditions.

I don't know if you want something bigger but I know of a Stiletto 27 for sale, good shape and decent price. Also here in LA.

Clayton
H16, S27

I had been working on buying that boat this summer, but a bunch of traveling kept me from working anything out. The one I'm currently checking out is not in as good of condition, but it is less$. However, it does not have a good trailer and that could easily equalize the deal. I may have to look through my stuff to see if I still have his # and email. either way it's a heck of a drive from Chicago to pick up. I've been contemplating building a woods wizzer, but that is a committment in time as well as $.

Woods Wizzer????

It's a strip built 25' micromultihull class boat. Check out http://www.sailingcatamarans.com/gwahir.htm for more information.

Have you looked into the Seawind 24s? There is a very well equipped one in FL for $10,500. I know that is a lot of money when Reynolds 21s go for $3000-7000, but it is less than the Wizzer and has better accomodations than the Reynolds.

Someone used to a backpackers economy could cruise on a G-Cat (16-21') and pitch a tent right on the trampoline for nightly accomodations.

I feel the Reynolds 21 would be the ideal compromise for someone looking for a performance-biased catamaran with enough room in the hulls to sleep out of the weather and store sailing/camping gear. It should be able to camp-cruise a couple for about a month, provided you can stand the relative discomfort that long.

Hey Dan,
Did you ever get any feed back or info on the R21? Did you get one? If so please share the scoop.

I had dropped out of pursuing the R21 for a while... But after renting a Hobie Getaway over spring break and seeing about 10 dolphins, she changed her tune. I'm going to see if I can pick up the R21, and if it works out I'll let you guys know how it goes.

Dan

drop an email to Randy Reynolds at rr33.com that goes to his webb site and he can give you the skinny on the r21

Dan,
Let us know if you're comming down to pick that boat up, maybe we'll sail (I have one of the 6 Stiletto's at that club). If nothing else maybe give you a hand if needed.

Clayton

I've had my Reynolds for 9 years now, and I still love it. The 1st 3 yrs I trailered it to various waters and weekended with it. With an experienced buddy we could get it in the water in 45 min (w/ a real trick gin pole). Lacing the tramp takes the bulk of the time (9 x 17'!). The boat carries all the gear, food and refreshments you could possibly want with very little performance penalty. The hulls are way to confining to sleep in, and the tramp is slippery and sloped aft, so the best night's sleep is always on shore. Easy to anchor, and back the boat to the beach with rudders and daggerboard up, just step off the sterns to the beach. A 3 hp, 2 stroke pushes it a 5.5 kts in flat water, and won't stay in the water to windward when it's blowing hard. Has lots of rocker, which makes tacking guaranteed, but hobbyhorses badly motoring into waves. Self tacking jib makes this boat a breeze to singlehand, I'll take it out solo in 15 to 20kts, though I wouldn't advise that without a bunch of experience. Never flipped it, but have come close numerous times, have contemplated what it'll take to right it, but never had the opportunity test my theories. I'm very focussed when I know it's overpowered, 'cause I know that one mistake means big consequences. It came with a masthead float and shroud extenders designed to aid righting, but I pulled the float years ago, so it'll turtle immediately now.
In the last 3 years I put a new squaretop Kevlar main and jib (Sabre), added a spin pole to mount a roller furling Hooter, and added a monster symmetrical spin off a 30' keelboat. The boat now has sufficient horsepower to do well in light as well as heavy air. Much needed, since the boat weighs nearly 1000 lbs. The cat really shines in big air because it has the momentum to punch thru 3' chop. Hull flying is measured, not twitchy. Bows are nearly 3' above waterline and very bouyant, I've never come close to stuffing it, even surfing fully powered up. Have seen a believable 19.8 kts boatspeed (GPS) bearing away in 20+ kts wind. Feels like riding a freight train!
Foils are the weak point, very heavily built (and fat), lot of drag, and my rudders will cavitate unexpectedly, throwing the the boat from weather helm to lee helm when she's crankin'. Very disconcerting. Have heard of a 21 with Supercat 20 rudders retrofitted but never spoke with the owner (would like to!).
My trailer weighs about 700 lbs, solidly built, expands on one side only. Have towed it in the mountains with my import pickup (4 cyl) and it was adequate, though the limiting factor was probably braking power. I'd like to have a double axel so that if a tire blew I have a chance.
I'm eying a custom built 24' carbon cat as it's replacement, but I hope I wont' regret letting go of this boat. I use it solo a lot, but it really shines as a social boat, easily handling 4 to 6 passengers. Very comfortable. My friends express dismay when I talk about parting with it.

Dave 509 276 6355 Spokane, WA (boat's on Flathead Lake in NW Montana, big water!)

H16, SC20, R21