Hi all,
I'd like some help in knowing what boat I should be looking for, but I'm not on the high end of the spectrum like some. I just sold a Prindle 18 and want to downsize, and racing is not important to me. With that in mind, does any boat meet the following critia?

1) I'd like it to be less than 16'.
2) I'd like it to have a jib.
3) I'd like it to be reasonably fast.
4) I'd like it to have a trapeze and be able to fly a hull.
5) I'd like it to be easy to rig and sail solo, but also able to take 1 crew (total weight about 350lbs).
6) I'd like it to be non-pitchpoling as a rule.
7) I'd like it to be fairly durable.
8) I'd like it to be reasonably cheap. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Like I said, I'm not planning to race, so I don't mind having a more obscure boat. So, does such a thing exist or not? (Maybe I'm just combining too many "dream" features into one boat?)

I got one of these in Fla. for $3000. A 2002 Nationals boat with all the bells and whistle. Let know if you need help looking for one?

Doug Snell

I'm not familiar with the boats used in the 2002 Nationals--what brand/model of boat is it that you got?

I think it's a Mystere 4.3? About 14'?

Yep - that is a Mystere 4.3. Awesome boat - very durable, fun to sail, easy to rig, great one- or two-up. If the factory were still making them, I'd be on a new one right now. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

John,

They stopped making the M4.3 ?

When did that happen ? A pitty I think.

Wouter

Check out the Nacra 450. It has skegs like the 5.0 and 5.7 and is only about 15 feet long. VERY cool boat.

How long has the Nacra 450 been around? Is it a newer boat (read "expensive")?

Hey Dan!! Nice picture. You clean up pretty good. Ed

The 450 (and its almost-identical predecessor, the 4.5) has been around since at least the early 90's. They come up for sale from time to time, usually under $3000.

I am not sure but it sounds like he is talking about the Hobie 16. I mean it is cheap, easy and fairly fast.
I bet he could get a used on for under 1000 that was ready for the water and in good shape. Plus it is a great boat to learn on, and can carry two, but be set up by one.

Why not a Prindle 16? Meets all the criteria you had outlined, very durable boat, and easier to find then one of the many other excellent recommendations made.

I can help you find a 4.3. If interested. When I got mine at Great Bay Race, all the hot shots with there $20,000 or more boats, waited in line to sail it. As John say it is a sweet boat and has a spin snuffer for around $3000.

Doug

Hobie Cat Europe should import the Hobie Cat Max & the Twixxy (which could use a better name for the US market).

This would cover the 14' and 16' market with a modern cat c/w a spin...

http://www.hobie-cat.net/site_gb/?produits,produits


?

Sounds like your looking for a G-Cat 5.0.

Harder to pitchpole than a H-16. I'm sure you realize anything can be pitched. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Has a front tramp too.

May be hard to find but worth it if you do.

1995 Nacra 4.5 -- $2800. Roller furling jib, boomless main,trailer with boat box and sail tube.Portsmouth rating 76.9. Great Condition. New Mexico. nacra95nm@att.net (NM)(July)

Keep an eye out for a Supercat-15. Not sure how many there are left out there, but there's one associated with our Fleet, and I gotta say it's a sweet little boat. Too bad these aren't built anymore.

That having been said, even though it's over your size limit keep an eye out for a Supercta-17 as well.

As always, it depends on what kind of sailing you want to do and what your local fleet does.

The M4.3 or N4.5 are just too small for your local waters. The short chop of the Gulf of Mexico will make you hobbie-horse and beat you up. Catman had it right with a GCat 5.0. The Supercats 15 or 17 are excellent for your Clearwater Intercoastal and Gulf recreational sailing. If you want to race buoys at Gulfport, board boats are OK. However, if you want to rec sail at Dunedin (island hop, steeplechase-type distance races, beer on board, sunny days with a local beach Betty on the wire) then look at what the locals sail...boardless or swing centerboards. Super 15? We have one! SC17? Several. GCat 5.0? Sure, Hans built them all and will kick your butt on one any day you like. Dart 18? LOTS here and a good boat all around. Your P18 was a GREAT boat but if smaller is needed, a P16 is hard to top. Want to sail with the BigDogs? A Tornado has swing boards, no? And Robbie could fix you right up.

But the BEST boat is my Mystere 5.0XL which just might be available...see your PM. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

sure H16 would fill the requirement of being hard to pitchpole. It's super light on the beach and it has all of the advantages of new tech. Oh, no, that would be another boat entirely.
If you are going this old find a Hydra. This was the Tornado training boat and is very well behaved, has plenty of freeboard and good tech for its price and age. Downside is that is is heavy like the Hobie.

I think an H16 would be a good boat for him. I have a friend who had one that would pitchpole if you looked at it wrong. I brought this up with the local Hobie dealer at a race and he recommended raking the mast back. That was the wonder fix. We now have to push the heck out of the boat to get the hull to dive. It is actually a pretty stable boat. I don't know much about the H16, but his boat is not as pp prone as everyone says it is.

-Rob V.
Panama City
Nacra 5.2