I just saw the new G-Cat F16 over at the Tradewinds venue, and it looks absolutely beautiful. Sorry I didn't have my camera with me, but I will try to get some pictures tomorrow.

I think this is the first G-Cat that designer Hans Geissler has not built in his own company. Recently he made a deal with Vector Works Marine to start producing G-Cats again. Vector Works used Hans' original molds for the boat, and Hans said he is very happy with how it came out. He will be crewing on his boat this weekend with Bret Moss on the helm.

Of course, the original G-Cat 5.0 did not use a spinnaker, so it will be interesting to see how this reincarnation handles it. Hans and Bret practiced with the boat on Wednesday and were happy with the performance, but the winds were much less than what is expected tomorrow -- 20-25 mph.

In fact, it will be interesting to see how ALL the boats handle it -- those that are brave enough (or foolish enough) to go out.

Definitely sounds like it is going to be a Hobie Wave day. Sunday will be less wind, 10-15, but colder.

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Wouter

spinnaker on a g-cat 5.0? That sounds like fun.:-) Anybody ever try putting one on a H16 or N5.0? What's the weight of the G-cat 5.0 anyway?

well, I even put a spi on a prindle 15 and it sailed gorgeus

Mary, how much wind and waves can you take on your Hobie Wave without feeling like you're getting into survival mode (ie, it's still fun)? Do you reef the main? What other boats around you are heading in when you're still out there having fun?

Jerry

rbj,
You're asking me? I'm a wimp. If I want to have fun, why would I want to sail when the temperature is less than 80 degrees and the wind is more than 15 mph?

I deleted the rest of what I wrote, because the Wave obviously has nothing to do with this post and this forum. If you want to post the question on the Wave forum, I will answer it again.

Y'all,
Please remember that this 5.0m G-Cat is not the same hull shape as the original. The beams are in different places and the mast is a night and day improvement. Also, the front of the hulls have more flotation in the shape. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Bob

Anybody know weight of the new G-cat?

OKAY HERE IS THE INFO ON THE NEW G CAT F-16 COMPLIANT BOAT
We put the boat together on the lay day of the A cat races and got to sail it for about one hour before we raced in the Tradewinds. Matt did a great job just getting the boat completed for Hans and there are some things that still need to be completed to give this boat its full potential. The most important thing is the rudders, we were not able to get the rudders done in time and had to use some thing. The rudders that were used were not under the boat far enough even after some redrilling and shimming. The boat had helm issues at times that would almost require a two hand grip. At about five minutes before the starting sequence the tiller extension broke not allowing us to double trap in the first race. After finishing third to two blades we went to the beach to get a replacement tiller and move the rig foward to help the severe helm issues. We raced back to the start area and caught the gun for the F18 start and set our watch. In this race we were first to the A mark and on the domnwind leg broke the tiller crossbar at the adjustable connector. Take it from me that sailing with a spin up in double trap conditions with both rudders not connected it not very fast or fun. Was able to get the cross bar back together and rudders were toed in about 1" we finished second in this race . All the bad things that happened were forgotten about when we saw the look on Matt and Gina's face as we were the first to the A mark. OH yea no boards and first to the A mark!! Down wind speed was off due to the sheeting angles on the spin not correct as of yet, causing the leach to curl and flap while the luff flowed properly. In the third race the rudder situation had gotten so bad that we retired , pleased with what we were able to see in the boats potential. Once these itiems are corrected it will be interesting to see the true potential of this radicaly different and simple design. Some work on the bow entry to have a fairer entry and front beams are going to be trimmed to a 60 degree angle will reduce the amount of water being pushed and speed will increase. Han's may have some thing with these improvements that will allow easy family type sailing with out boards and still compete with the Blade benchmark for the F16 class. Stay tuned as Hans is on the back to Vector works with a refinement list.

Bret Moss

Any pics??

I took several pics of the boat on land. I don't know whether Rick got any on the water. We haven't had time to post anything yet -- too busy ferrying sailboats back to our home beach and powerboats back to where they belong, etc.

Okay, I'm back. Here (and in following post) are attached a picture of the G-Cat from the front and from the back, on the beach after the races on Sunday.

Rear view.

Thank you Mary.

GARY

Thanks for that report Bret.

GARY

May I make a wild statement ? You were driving Brett, right ? I think you were able to get that rig trimmed properly and that caused your results. I have no idea on how good an A-cat sailor you are, but in my experience the A-cat sailors take to the F16 superwing masts much better then sailors coming of other boats. The A sailors understand the rig and they are sailing with a very comparable mast setup on their A's.

I found on my own boat that the right rig trim is everything. The difference between a good trim and a mediocre trim can be quite big when looking at the achieved speed. I feel that such a thing can easily overcome problems like you had with your rudders or even by being boardless.

Congratulations with this first shake-down of the G-cat F16 to you and Hans. Indeed, this craft allowing "easy family type sailing without boards and still compete with the Blade benchmark for the F16 class" can be a very attractive design.

Regards,

Wouter

I took a kaboodle of the G-Cat, all the fittings and rigging, will start with them later tonight.

How do they get the boardless to perform so well?
I didn't realize that is was possible..

It's magic.

The G-cat hulls are very fine. Hans believes the more the hulls disturb the water the slower you go. His boat leaves a very small wake as compared to any other boat. Even though the hull is symmetrical the inside curve provides plenty of lift.

Can't wait for Hans to get it back here so I can go for a sail. Hans has been sailing the prototype which is a uni with a hooter, er well, last weekend he had it out and it had a jib but it wasn't the F-16 version.

Something to think about, If this works out.....perhaps the F-18 class is next.

[rear view]

sorry to say but the M20 in the REAR looks much more attractive to me!

[...and I really thought (and hoped) the time of banana shaped hulls are over...]