Andreew:

Start the thread. I'll join in. Are you going to Deep South? Still owe you far glasses.

Doug

theres already a thread for spins on A cats.

Some crazy dude in Europe took on board video of it.

Andrew:

I think I-20 uses wires. Start the new thread, I 'll join in.
Are you going to Deep South? Still owe you for glasses.

Doug

To recap previous comments:
1. H-17 is a true one design, no changes since it was introduced 20 years ago.
2. Low cost, less than one half of the A, for new, and even more savings for a used one.
3. Very rugged, and easy to repair.
4. Will handle high winds, and comes alive over 20.
5. Easy to set up, and launch.

Do not understand the comments about problems single handling. I step my mast while on the trailer, and launch, reload, by myself all the time. Pulley at front of trailer, with line to trap line to assist mast up and down. Small hand winch on trailer, at cross bar stop to pull boat out, back on trailer. Piece of cake, even in the dark.

Caleb Tarleton

Caleb;

My biggest problem was rolling the boat around in very soft beach sand. Because set-up areas are often far removed from launching areas, this can be very burdensome. The problem is political. In Florida, politicians just don't like beach cats! I have no idea why!! I loved my 17, absent these problems I'd still be sailing it.

Sorry Jake, but ol Wouter is telling a true story on this thread. I hereby corroborate that Wouter and I and a couple of others tried to figure out how get a load of nearly new A-cats together in the Netherlands. Wouter was willing to help, to be shipped here to Florida- 5 years ago. It looked like it might work for some Bimares and oddments, then the euro went up.

Maybe over there, They love us over here.

Mike;

Don't rub it in! I practically have to rent a motel room to get to the beach, which is why I made that remark to Wouter about "...it's the people."

The name of the game here is renting motel rooms and you need a relatively large group to make it worthwhile.

Btw, I haven't been up your way in years, are you guys still active, any room for A cats? How 'bout my Tiki!?

Pete:

If you have trouble with soft sand, build you some of these. They will cost you less than $100 without cradles. $200 with. Just don;t drill the other extra holes in them. Use butter tops for washers and put some silicone around connectors and washer. You could also use some old carpet are water pipe insulation with wire ties.

Doug

http://www.geocities.com/mec_coleman/tip13.htm

Pete,

We have a group of people that are there almost every weekend. The fleet has a race every month. We are very forunate to have the causeway. I haven't seen a Tiki 21, any Pic's

This boat was designed in 1985(?) by James Wharram, ply/epoxy construction, top speed 12 knots in 20+ wind. Great boat for those of us who feel that life is good at 6 knots!
http://www.wharram.com/tiki_photos/show_photo.php?id=5&start=1&images=12

Doug


Dont be such a sissy, take out the dremel tool, and start cutting. I clearly remember Tradeinds 2004, listening to Ben Hall discussing how he cut the bows off his Waterrat and attached some other bows. I thought he was completely nuts. But now, I think that its perfectly normal. Its very liberating once you figure out how to mix the goo and fabric and have it be whole again.

The real question is on the A2, DK17 type bows, where to you attach the spin wires or poles? It doesnt have a obvious point to attach to.

Bill

Unless they come up with some kind of mounting system, I will probably just use my 17 when I want more power or to go racing handicap. I have a 190 sq ft Pentex reacher for it to go with the Pentex squaretop main.

Doug

Doug:

Is an A cat gonna have enough "zip" for you! I had a reacher on my 17 and it was a rocket!

Pete:

Have you ever seen an A fly!!! Think about it. 165 lbs? 30 foot mast? 150 sq ft sail? It has got to fly. We are just trying to figure out a way to add spin to A2 without having to put holes in hulls like Haken did. I WILL nit do that to that beautiful boat. Yea the 17 with reacher is a HOOT!!! Makes Open racing fun!!!

Doug

Doug:

Nope, looking forward to it, if I can just find a boat!!

What's the basic technique? On the 17, I would start out with the mast rotation aimed at the shroud and adjust accordingly. Always kept my weight as far forward as possible even in pretty heavy air. Kept the rig kind of loosey-goosey. Helm was pretty close to neutral.

Pete:

I don't have a clue about the A. Luckily for me there is a great group at HYC here. I will just have to let them help me tweak the boat, take some GOOD notes and just get LOTS of time on the boat. Uni just takes lots of practice, no jib to help you tack. Although at 165 lbs, it should be easier.

Doug

Pete,
I have seen that type boat before. Just didn't know what the heck it was.

Mike, Is there a public ramp near the Causeway, like 5 miles?

Pete,
Semiole boat ramp is about 4-5 miles south of the Dunedin Causeway. Just north of 60 which is Clearwater Memorial causeway. I use it to launch my powerboat. Very nice ramp. Handles 8 boats at a time. The cost last year was 7 bucs a day for non-resident.