http://aquarius-sail.com/default/broker/182406/index.htm


Supercat 15 fur sail

Rob:

Obviously you have never sailed a Hobie 16 HARD!!!! They are VERY pitch pole prone!! I raced one for years and did it MANY times. I also won a lot of races on it. Still think a Mystere 4.3 would be the best boat for him. Most bang for buck.

Doug Snell


Doug Snell

Okay, I have already said that the 16 would be the boat that I can see him on. I sailed a 14 solo, if you think the 16 is bad try the 14. It was really bad until I raked the mast all the way back, after that you had to really drive it into a wave to cause a pp. I am sure the 16 is the same, plus it is such an easy boat to find. I have four sitting within 2 blocks of my house, two are active and the other two are scrap boats. That brings up another factor, parts, you can find 16 parts anywhere, but these other boats... well you might be ordering new from the factory or fabricating.

Thanks for the input, everyone. Re: the Hobie 16, I'm definitely not going there for several reasons. Still lookin'...

Do not base it on taking anyone else out on it. If you want a boat to sail with two borrow one or rent one. Sounds like you will be sailing mostly by yourself.

Get a used A-Cat. Probably find one for $6,000 to $8,000 in fair shape. This is the epitomy of solo sailing. Weights in at about 160 or so. Easy to get on and off trailer. Rolls easily in the sand. Step the mast solo. Fast, Fast, Fast!!!

We did a Junior clinic out here on the weekend. Some of the kids were lucky enough to sail Pete M's A-Cat. They loved it!

If you need to take someone out for a nice ride it is capable though not as nice as single-handing it.

Later,
Dan

Doug Snell was right in the first place. The Mystere 4.3 is EXACTLY what you are looking for, based upon your criteria.

I'd agree with Mary. I think the Mystere 4.3 is a great place to start with it's modern design, spin, and ability to sail solo or two up. There should also be a few around the Tampa area as there were several brought here by a dealer when they debuted. Dunedin Causeway is the epicenter for all things Mystere outside of Canada. David is correct about the smaller boats in the chop though - even the F16s suffer when the chop gets bigger.

The previously suggested Nacra 450 is similar to the Mystere 4.3 but:

(a) has a slightly lower DPN than the Mystere 4.3
(b) achieves the lower DPN without having to mess with a spinnaker
(c) is made by a US company that is still in business and has a dealer network

Mary:

All the hot shots at Great Bay Race loved this little boat. I have put a post on the yahoo user group for some boats and Patrick from Fla wants one too. If Papayamn2 still want me to I can probably find one through the group. I still have not gotten my Catsailor. Will you see if you sent me one as my photos are in the 2 page article on Texas Catamaran Championship and I want to put it in scrap book.

Doug Snell