That's out of my realm. If you are going to be sailing your boat off beaches and out through surf, I don't know how the F-16's handle that. Maybe others have had experience.
Give me a shout at tbshannon[at]charter.net. I've been talking to some others from Chattanooga about the F16. Sent you a PM, as well. Might be a good time to arrange a trip to Birmingham for a sail.
Uh, no - not without shroud extenders, a righting pole, or a water bag. I've only righted a 20 once - and we had maybe 370 lbs on the boat.
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There is an active Hobie 20 fleet in our area?
I was thinking further west - Little Rock, Memphis, Tulsa, Dallas - but it's a lot further from Chattanooga than I thought.
Trey's going to try to sell you on an I-20 - which is probably a good call, given your location. (But you won't be able to right that one solo, either.)
Is it just my imagination or is Nacra a dirty word in here? Just wondering. Anyway, I cannot tell you guys how much I appreciate your help here. I think the H16 might be what I should start with. The price sure is better. However, I am thinking about hitting the tradewinds regatta just to look around and ask questions.
Nacra is far from a dirty word. They make great boats, there just aren't as many of them out there as the Hobie 16's, 18's, etc. I have owned and raced several Nacras. For an entry-level race boat from Nacra, I'd get a Nacra 5.2, or maybe a 5.5 depending on budget. The 5.5 is going to be much more expensive, and more fragile than the 5.2, or a Hobie 16 for that matter...
Is it just my imagination or is Nacra a dirty word in here? Just wondering. Anyway, I cannot tell you guys how much I appreciate your help here. I think the H16 might be what I should start with. The price sure is better. However, I am thinking about hitting the tradewinds regatta just to look around and ask questions.
Go here: http://www.1design.net./ and ask about "Frankenboat" <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Yeah, stay away from the Frankenboat...I'm sorry to admit that I started that whole mess! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
I lived in Chattanooga for quite a while and know a sailor or two up your way (also - my parents still live in Ooltewah so I am in town from time to time). I now live in Greenville, SC but we still share much of the same sailing ground. This area is in a bit of a transitional stage for single handed boats. The Hobie 17 was very strong until the last three years. Before, we would typically see at least 5 Hobie 17s at most regattas, now we are seeing one or two occasionally. One talented Hobie 17 sailor (Ooolie) lives in Chattanooga but he is sailing the one last Hobie 20 in the area now (he sails it double handed but they are light and have difficulty righting the boat).
We haven't seen but a couple F16s show up at our local regattas in the South East (not including Florida) but I wouldn't discourage you away from the boat because you are interested in both single handing and sailing two-up. There are always two or more Hobie 16s - usually more like four to seven - that attend our local regattas though. Does anyone know if the H16 class rules allow single handing?
I would look forward to meeting you at Tradewinds - we'll be there and be looking for you!
Take a look at the regatta results for the past year or two. This will tell you three things. How many people go racing. What boats they race, and What they consider a class and how do they start the classes and run the races.
For some organizations... three boats equals a class... So, If you were going to a Hobie regatta then this is your race. This might be OK.. (but only if the three sailors are closely matched in skill and experience). Otherwise... If you are starting out... you will be stunned at how far back of the other two you could be. The fun factor is severely challenged. If at the next regatta, you are the only racer... you win! but the fun factor is zero.
Other organizations, run all boats in one combined start and run everyone in an open class and collect your elapsed time plus your boats handicap is then used to sort out 1 through N .. They also score out the one design (or formula classes). So... if you are the only H17 for instance, you will still be racing the Hobie 16's and 18's and and the Nacras in open class. A big advantage is that while you might own a fast boat... in reality, on the race course, you will be hard pressed to keep up with a slower boat with an experiecned sailor. So, your race will be trying to keep up with or stay ahead of the slower boats until you gain enough experience and skill to start challenging the boats in your class and then the overall fleet of sailors.
Another factor to consider, If the majority of the racers in the events you would go to are racing spin boats... Its not going to be a lot of fun racing a slow non spin boat against them (even if you sail it extremely well and win!!!).
Lots of people are looking for crew... you might want to get wired into the fleet and start crewing on several boats for a season. Now you have just invested in your personal gear and you will experience first hand, the racing, the classes and members... When you start your own program... you will really be well up the learning curve.
If you don't want to race, then you should be looking for the boat in the best condition, that suits your price, weight and desire to single hand. This will buy you the most amount of fun on the water with the least amount of headaches. If racing is in the cards down the road... great! Start out crewing... By the end of this game, You will have a lot more skill... know what you want and can handle and probably have a crystal clear idea of the racing fleet that suits you in your region.
Bottom line, Racing is more of a social contract then you might recognize at the begining. See what your options are and then fit the boat choice into that framework. Back in the day... it was simple... ID the fleet in your area... buy one of those and go racing! Now, its a bit like reading tea leaves as to which classes are growing, holding or dying in your area AND do the organizations recognize the changes and make accomodations to match the ever changing cat racing scene.
Have fun. Mark (CRAC and A class) The region to your north! Check out the one design page for the Florida racing schedule to EMSA's south.
Finally, be really cautious about the term FRAGILE... All of the newer high tech boats are not fragile on the water and will take more abuse then your body could on the water.
None of the high tech boats will take ANY abuse on the beach... So, If you want a boat that could sit in the surf line and thrash around a bit, or survive getting blown over on the beach ... you want an old school design. For these owners... your high tech boat is fragile cause it won't do this and survive very long.
Now, the high tech boat owners, don't use the term fragile... they use the term PIG, to refer to those boats that weigh a ton but will take the beating on the beach. Obviously, nothing is really learned or communicated by the use of either term.
So, To each his own... just make sure you understand where everyone is coming from when they rep their personal favorite class.
Seriously, can't go wrong with Hobie 16 as entry level cat. They're everywhere and easy to sail.
I think the F16 might be a little too much for you right now. They are very weight sensitive and have a spinnaker, as you know. If you are getting into it and singlehand a boat with a spinnaker as tippy as the F16 is, you might have problems. Also, since you weigh 220, you'd have to find a very light crew if doublehanding. Don't get me wrong, the Blade and Taipan are awesome boats!, but I think you should sail something a little less sensitive to start out, and maybe move into the F16 or F18 later. Don't take on too much and be turned off because you're sidways a lot.
Nacras rock! Don't let anybody tell you different.
I'd say Hobie 16 or Nacra 5.5 are probably your best options. Hobie 17s are cool with the racks and everything, but if you wanna sail with an extra person they get really low in the water and slow. Sorry if I'm forgetting something. Good luck! I live on the east coast, so I'm sure I'll cu around.
Hey there from Chattanooga!! Nice to know some one else is in the area. My slipper has a H17 and a H20 for sale right now. (see classifieds) Yes, we are too light to right the H20--265lbs together, and can be a handful for a light weight team, but it is a fun boat esp w/ the spin flying. Honestly we are looking at the F16 because we can right it and would not have to carry extra weight. Also my skipper can sail it single-handed when I can't crew. Also the advantage of owning one boat. The draw back is that there are very few used on out there. So depending new/used and money factor that may make a difference for you. Good luck and drop and line if you want to talk multihulls with a local. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Tom-wish we could of come this wkend- beautiful weather but no wind <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Plus family was in-we'll get down......
Yeah I noticed immediately your area codes in the classifieds. Lets stay in touch. Tshan has some interesting thoughts. I guess I need to start bumming some rides on catamarans to narrow it down. Thanks for the input.
I am at your weight and some of the guys in may area are close. Attached photo of Drew Riddle, he KICKS butt in Open and class racing here in Div. 6. I have had my Hobie 17 for 6 years and love it. It is a HOOT in 15 and up. I have also added a few things that make it fun.
Does anyone know if the H16 class rules allow single handing?
The Hobie class states a maximum of 50 lbs. may be carried to make minimum crew weight and minimum crew weight for the H16 is 285 lbs. In other words, a quantity for the minimum crew is not specified, in fact, the rules state if with two crew persons more than 50 lbs. need to be added an additional crew shall be carried (i.e. one adult and TWO ten year olds). Side note; Tony Probst (CA) raced single-handed in the H20 Nat'ls (and scored a bullet).
All that said, why not take the under weight portsmouth hit and race singlehanded in the open class. For that matter why not on a Hobie 18? I've always felt more comfortable singlehanding the 18 over the 16 (and I weigh 160).
Bill, If you wan't to start out cheaply with a H16 or TheMightyHobie18, check in with the pulse of the closest Hobie Fleets. They very well may know of the used Hobies for sale. TENNESSEE 134 Gerry Wilder Memphis 901-755-5464 15 249 Jon Sheridon Nashville 615-383-7266 15 GEORGIA 12 Tammy Duran Atlanta 770-531-0397 9 NORTH CAROLINA 92 Jeff Price Charlotte 704-892-1936 9 97 Sam Evans Raleigh 919-544-4521 9 100 Kyle Harrison New Bern 919-304-6167 9 170 Ron Walters Lake Waccamaw 910-642-0625 9 191 Tom Sutton Greensboro 336-282-3106 9 SOUTH CAROLINA 53 Steve Shapiro Charleston 843-795-3026 9 164 Dave Strickland Simpsonville 864-801-1625 9 174 Ted Watts Myrtle Beach 843-651-6931 9 520 Buzz Moore Hartsville 803-332-6103 9
