Wow,
That sounds great. So far the 4.3 sounds most interesting to me. Everyone is so helpful. This is too short of notice for me to hop down there though. I have my sons this weekend.
Last weekend was pretty chilly in Pensacola. The weather sounds like it will be perfect. Sunny and warm. Something else I learned at a regatta is that my name is confusing. My name is Wendy. Sunny is a nickname my family calls me. You would be amazed how many times somebody said 'Sunny' or 'Windy'. I about snapped my head off thinking people were speaking to me.

The 4.3 is a nice boat. That would be a good alternative to the Wave. I'm still concerned about your ability to right the 4.3. If you do buy one I would recommend a Hobie Bob masthead float be attached because you plan to single hand the boat. This will keep the boat from Turtling and also help you be able to right the boat easier.

I would totally recommend the H16 except for the fact that you plan to single hand the boat. If you planned on taking someone with you the H16 would be a great choice.

If you want a 4.3 I know of a couple of them locally that are for sale. PM me if you want contact info.

Mike Hill
www.stlouiscats.com

Is Spring Fever too short notice? There should be some Mystere 4.3s there (and Hobie 16s, and maybe a H14 Turbo or a Wave). I bet you could even hitch a ride to/from the event.

If Spring Fever were not Easter weekend it would be no problem at all. I am having Easter dinner at my house this year for my family. So I will have to pass this year. (It is killing me. I really want to go)
I have never seen a Mystere 4.3 other than a picture.

Just got a PM request to look at this thread since I owned a 4.3 for a while.

I loved the boat - very durable and fun to sail. I've raced it one and two-up with no trouble. I weigh about 135 and could right the boat alone easily unless the breeze was really light. I carried a righting bag (Glad yard trash bag) folded up in the tramp pocket just in case. I have some pics and a description on my website (click here).

The first Nationals last year was really fun and low intensity - everyone is very helpful. I sold my boat with the intention of buying a new one, but during that time, Mystere International went through some major changes, and it seems my boat was never completed. As a result, I have moved on to another class.

Still miss my little boat, though - I think it is well used and appreciated by the new owner in Mississippi. I sailed a lot on that thing and never had a spot of trouble but once when I lost a shroud in Clearwater. I went to the next diameter up and never had another issue.

Great boat for any level sailor, really. Fun single-hand spin, spray-flyin' boat or lazy cruiser while talking with the wife.

John,
Thanks for the sight. I love how versatile the boat seems to be. Since you are about the same weight what do you think about an H16?

Wendy:

The current trend in cat is going to the spinnaker boats. I just don't think you would be happy with a 16. Don't get me wrong it is a good boat, but get newer technology. I think you should seriously look at the 4.3, especially since John was very close to your weight and had no problem. I would add a righting pole from Rick White.

Doug Snell
Hobie 17
www.tcdyc.com

Doug, I tend to agree. I like that the Mystere has all three sails. I could start out with just the main to learn the basics and then add the jib and finally the spinnaker.

I just thought I would get his perspective on the H16. I have gotten more information than I ever hoped for with this post. I appreciate it so much!

Hi Sunny -

I'll likely get jumped for this, but I think the only reason to own a 16 is if you're into single-manufacturer one design racing... or if you get one for free. I have raced the 16 and I've had a lot of fun fiddling around with them, but I'm unlikely to ever go back to a boat that doesn't have a spinnaker. No disrespect intended to the 16 crowd (and it is a big crowd... a big, drunk, happy crowd ).

A 16 is definitely a two-person boat and one that I have found is more likely to flip.

Someone else made the suggestion that you look around your area and see what others are sailing - that's good advice, even if you're not racing. If it is a total mish mash (like it was for me), you won't likely regret getting a 4.3 even if nobody else has one. I was the only 4.3 for a couple of hundred miles around, but I still had a lot of fun at open events.

Whatever you decide, keep us up to date and take pictures. Good luck.

John:

You are getting my interest. Do you know of any used 4.3 in Texas?

Doug Snell
Hobie 17
dsnell4 at houston dot rr dot com

Have you guys realized this is Dave pretending to be a lady? Have you not watched any PI tv lately? The internet is full of phonies!!!!

Wendy/Guys:

Well I found me a boat.
http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules...;clid=2623&item=2002%20Mystere%204.3
Going to Slip tp Ship races Memorail weekend to get it. Good luck in your search Wendy. Let me know what you find.

Doug Snell
Hobie 17
Soon to be Mystere 4.3
www.tcdyc.com

My recommendations:

Hobie-17 - cheap, robust, may still be good pockets of one-design, singlehanding but can take crew. Maybe a little heavy but as stated before technique helps.

Mystere 4.3 - you've heard all about that. Sounds like some good deals and people around your area.

Taipan 4.9 - lots of same reasons as the 4.3, but fewer around for one-design.

Wave - great fun starter boat, may get boring.

Hobie 14 - cheap, robust, great fun boat, good skill enforcer, light, can have in uni or sloop. Some pockets of one-design. Even when you move on to another you might keep it for fun.

For your money the 4.9 may be harder to find. I really like the 4.9 as a boat for all seasons and reasons, but their numbers are small in the U.S. so far. Hobie 17 would be a good choice starting out.

Thanks Keith,
I went out on an H16 this past weekend with Cary Palmer. It was really light air so I didn't get the full picture. I helped him step the mast and I was able hold the mast over my head while he jumped up on the tramp to take it from me. I am not sure if I could have walked it all the way up or not but I think I could have with some effort. (really not sure) I would have to try it to be certain. We pulled it up on a carpeted dock easily but I didn't do it alone. It really didn't seem unmanageble to me. I need some more experience with it. I will let the lake warm up a bit before I ask someone to knock their boat over for me. That is what I am really curious about.
How is the H17 different?

Wendy:

17 just has a different setup for pin and mast goes up sideways. I am 210 and have never really tried it alone. I have just made it a deal to NEVER sail alone. It is VERY dangerous, so there is always someone to help you raise the mast. 17 is a fun boat. WHATEVER one you get I would get a righting pole setup up from Rick White. Where are you located? I am going boat at Ocean Springs May 28-29 if you want to see a 4.3,

Doug Snell
www.tcdyc.com

Where is Ocean Springs?

Wendy:

This was last years.

http://www.osyc.com/NORs/STS2005.htm

It is Memorial Weekend.

Doug

The 17 is designed to be a single-hander. The original rig has only a main (uni rig). The hull shape is different from the 16, and it has centerboards and hiking wings. There is a sport version that adds a jib, but the uni version is what is raced.

As for raising and lower a mast - you'll find that most boats that is most safely done with two people. However, there are setups that allow the use of the trailer winch to raise the mast on your own.

Actually, another trick on the 4.3 that Jamie Diamond showed me a few years ago at Spring Fever - you can step the 4.3 mast very easily by yourself using the spin halyard. Cool trick on a single-hand boat.

Photos? Details?

Doug