[quote=Texas-Tri]Hi Bill,
I Just bought a 1977 Solcat 18 for $500. I haven't sailed it yet so I can't speak with any authority about how it sails but I have pulled it apart and am sprucing it up and putting it back together.
They are very rare and can be purchased really cheap. For me it seems crazy that an 18-foot cat in good condition can be had for so little. Mine came with a nice trailer and sails that are still crispy. For a guy like me who just wants to get out on the water and go fast it was a no brainer to buy it. Many of the parts are not made any more but I have found that used parts can be purchased reasonably or parts from other cats can sometimes work on them. New sails and tramps are available if you need them. I have been impressed with the quality of the hulls. I'm pretty sure that the hulls are solid vacuum bagged fiberglass so there is no wood to delaminate like on the Hobies. The gelcoat on mine buffed out very nicely with rubbing compound. It was chalky and faded when I got it but is now the original bright banana yellow, pretty good for a 30 year old boat. Mine had quite a few non-stainless fasteners that were getting rusty and needed replacing.
There are a couple of guys on this site who are very knowledgeable about Solcats. I hope it works out for you one way or the other. Let us know if you buy it.
Tom
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