I've seen several showing up at the Sarasota regattas, I don't know much about them but it looks like there are (at least) two models, the 16 for solo (mainsail only) and the 17 for two up (with jib, and can you add a screecher?).

I've seen a few used ones online for anywhere from $1,100 for the 16 to $6,000 for the 17.

http://www.sailboatlistings.com/cgi...iew_records=1&sb=date&so=descend

My question is, what is the "Racing" class? The 16 or the 17? Do they race one design or are there just a bunch of different configurations/models all racing on handicap?

I'm looking for something I can leave on my beach, jump into with the dogs and go. Not looking to win a regatta, but I might show up for the beer.

I was looking at the Hobie Tandem Adventure Islanders but they are more expensive than the Windriders and have less room for dogs! Oh, and no racing fleets.

Sailed both and like the 17 better. Faster w/jib and drier. Looks like they had a class,just doesn't say what model, https://sarasotasailingsquadron.org/activities/sailing/racingevents/invitational-regattas/buzzelli/

If you look for one check the keel/skeg for wear. The local guy that rents them epoxys stainless strips to that area so they don't wear thru.

Sounds like a good idea, the stainless strip protection thing. So there's a guy renting them in Dunedin, or where? I'd like to take a test drive (with the dog) before I blow some dough.

Thanks!

Go Pete Go has one

Glen is the owner/operator at SailHoneymoon (the rental shack on the dunedin causeway)

he sells them too

they are a hoot in a blow but they are very different than cat sailing

I thought he had a Weta tri?

Did he switch to a Windrider, or does he have both?

I met the designer of the windrider a few years ago at the Ceder Key Small Boat Fest.

He was incredibly nice older man. He was nearly blind, and walking around "feeling up the boats" and taking pictures of all the boats he was interested in. His (very adult) son explained when he got home he would blow them up HUGE on his Giant TV and explore every weld, bolt, line, block, etc.. this way..

the festival was FULL of guys who spent years hand crafting the slowest moving boats you could imagine. every flavor. from wooder shunting rafts, to toothpick rowboats.

They kept yelling at us too pull out our "whompers"
and "FLY a Pontoon" at us (it was blowing about 6 in 14" of water). It was a nice weekend in "old school touristy florida"

the waters were incredibly beautiful ... natural.. ."skinny water"

they later wrote us up as the f-18's (I had a used f-18 sail that weekend on my mystere 5.5. my friend had a customized mystere 6.0)

Timbo. you should have come over to the Charlotte Harbor Regatta, there was a fleet here.

But just to give you a hard time, there was also a small fleet of F16's.

I was at Sail Honeymoon this afternoon and asked, he does have a 17 for sale. $2000 no trailer.727-734-0392 Glen.

Hey Jack, I wanted to come over for that but I was working.

Catman, thanks for the heads up!

I am wondering why these classes don't come to the Tradewinds. The Weta class has started attending.., not in big numbers, but it is a start.
Rick

What is it like when you dump one of these boats?

Can you pitchpole them?

are those boats beach-wheel launched?

I haven't see one flip in the 15 years i have sailed in Dunedin (where they rent them)

no
pushed in via trailer or just dragged down the beach
http://www.windrider.com/catalog/category/view/s/windrider-17/id/1482/

That may be why they don't show up at T-winds... Not being beach launched can prove difficult in terms of finding ramps, etc.

Sad, as it is such a nice event, but certainly understandable that they wish to remain beach-cat only type event.

They can be beach launched,

but I had never seen wheels or dolly used
I did a search online and couldn't find any *(UNTIL THIS MORNING)

http://www.castlecraft.com/windrider_dolly.htm

Oh, this is why i have never seen them used
"Windrider Dolly is 1195.00 + FREE Shipping (48 USA)"

hey, so free shipping, right?

But that would be worth it's weight in gold for the Everglades Challenge...

it seems it almost costs it's weight in gold