Supercat 20 Information SC20 :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

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Supercat 20 Information SC20

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JohnES

Rank: Mate

Registered: Sep 01, 2002

Last visit: Apr 08, 2024

Posts: 786
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 03:20 AM

Can anyone school me here on a Supercat 20?

My cousin is looking at one and neither of us know anything about them.

What should we be looking for with one of these boats that could keep it from becoming a money pit

Thanks

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John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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GilleyNM

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Apr 19, 2006

Last visit: Apr 04, 2018

Posts: 23
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 07:33 AM

The SC 20 is one powerful, fast a## catamaran. Due to many factors, expect to spend 1.5 to 2 times more per replacement part (rigging, tramp, sails, etc) than other cats. It takes longer to set up due to size and weight. It was not designed or built as and is Not A Beginners boat. Otherwise it is a hard charging, fast, some-what well behaved large catamaran.
smfinley

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 24, 2005

Last visit: Apr 18, 2023

Posts: 709
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 08:26 AM

Great boat, with good support still from Aquarius Sails. Boat specific parts are likely expensive but mostly available. 12ft beam makes setup slow, but also makes it very stable. They had a standard and tall rig available, can't remember mast length difference. Very powerful, so I agree not a beginner boat. I learned to trapeze on one and it was so easy, like trapezing on a sidewalk compared to a H16 due to the rounded hull shape.

They are a wetter boat than most when the wind picks up. It is a predictable boat as the wind picks up, don't try to pitchpole and lifts a hull fairly smoothly. Would sail with 3-4 people regularly with no problem, but solo in the right conditions it is amazing.

They can be tricky to right, but ours had shroud extenders to help with that and could be done with 2 people just took extra time to get ready to right it. Also had to climb up the tramp to access the extended 12' in the air (rope ladder built into the underside of our tramp)

Hope that helps.

--
Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
‘96/‘01/‘14 Hobie Waves
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MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: Apr 06, 2024

Posts: 7088
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 11:18 AM

fun, fast boat
as mentioned - likes to puke water all over the crew at speed
crazy heavy mast

solid boat but I have seen a few transoms ripped off of super cats - not sure if it's a known issue or just a fluke that it happened to a few of them on our beach (we have a shoal right off the beach that "non-locals" seem to be magnetically attracted to)

not for the newbe or single handed sailor (unless you are real good at sailing, depowering, and yelling "Waaaahoooo")
jalex

Rank: Mate

Registered: May 08, 2013

Last visit: Oct 02, 2023

Posts: 508
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 11:49 AM

Its a great boat, just keep in mind that a 12 foot beam is whole new world. If you have permanent mast up storage or a tilt trailer, no big deal, but assembling and dissembling for trailering is a beast. It takes the fun out real quick.

I have heard that original bow tangs can fail and should be replaced. The boat I sail on already had that done.

Ditto on replacement part costs, things like tramp and daggerboards are a pretty expensive. I have also had zero luck in finding used sails so plan on new if they need replacing. Other costs like standing rigging seem reasonable for a boat that size. I really dislike the cable car traveler, and the one I sail on has zero jib block adjustment which I also do not like, but those are minor issues.
efinley

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Mar 25, 2002

Last visit: Jan 09, 2020

Posts: 40
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 12:15 PM

What don't you like about the traveler? I've found it to be the best operating, freest running traveler of any boat I've sailed.

Also what Scott failed to mention is that while the SC20 can be a bit of a handful in high winds, it is also the boat we learned to sail on. Our 2nd Hobie was a 16 but we didn't get that until 6+ years later. That was his "sail after work" boat that he and MY girlfriend (now wife) would go sailing on 3 days a week while I was still working!

-Eric
H16 (technically Scott's boat, but it is in my yard )
H18
SC20
jalex

Rank: Mate

Registered: May 08, 2013

Last visit: Oct 02, 2023

Posts: 508
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 03:38 PM

The traveler flops around in light wind, especially when beating into ocean swells. Just use to a fixed track I guess. I feel like the only reason they use the cable system is because of the rear telescoping beam. When you buy a fixed beam from Aquarius, they sell it with a track and harken traveler, which I believe would be an advisable upgrade.
chump23

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 05, 2015

Last visit: Jul 17, 2018

Posts: 123
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 05:14 PM

I'll jump over hear since this thread is about SC 20's. If someone where to cut say 1' off the bottom of the dagger boards how much of a performance hit would the boat take? Would it be slightly noticeable, but not a huge deal. Or, would the boat fail to sail upwind at all? Anyone have real life experience with something similar?

--
Hobie Getaway
Prindle 18 - Sold
South Padre Island, TX
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efinley

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Mar 25, 2002

Last visit: Jan 09, 2020

Posts: 40
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 06:01 PM

I've never tried that, but instead I would just drill a hole through the board and tie a rope through it as a stopper. Then you still have full length boards in the future. What is your goal? Are you racing or sailing with the kids? If you're sailing with the kids I suspect you'd never notice the difference.
jalex

Rank: Mate

Registered: May 08, 2013

Last visit: Oct 02, 2023

Posts: 508
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 06:18 PM

I sail one with no boards and it's not the end of the world. Doesn't tack as well and certainly slips to the Lee some, but it's tolerable. I have seen Sc19's with half length boards and I'm sure they were effective enough. I would think twice before cutting them considering there cost, and you don't have to sail with them all the way down
chump23

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 05, 2015

Last visit: Jul 17, 2018

Posts: 123
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 06:22 PM

I like that answer! Just sailing with kids and/or friends. I intend to also use it as transportation to spoil banks and mud flats for some wade fishing.

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Hobie Getaway
Prindle 18 - Sold
South Padre Island, TX
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DamonLinkous

Rank: Administrator

Registered: Jul 19, 2001

Last visit: Apr 01, 2024

Posts: 3428
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 06:35 PM

chump23I'll jump over hear since this thread is about SC 20's. If someone where to cut say 1' off the bottom of the dagger boards how much of a performance hit would the boat take? Would it be slightly noticeable, but not a huge deal. Or, would the boat fail to sail upwind at all? Anyone have real life experience with something similar?

I had been told that the SC19 could be sailed either with or without boards but didn't know if that was true or if it applies to the SC20 so I went to the source and asked Aquarius Sails directly. Got an answer from Tom Haberman.

quoted email

meI've been told in the past that a Supercat 19 could be sailed well with
or without the daggerboards. Is that true? And if so then can a Supercat
20 also?

AquariusThe SC20 can be sailed without the daggerboards but it certainly will not go to weather all that well, but having said that a half board down will work wonders for pointing ability and the tip of dagger will still be above the rudder tip ..The hull shape is very round below the waterline and much wider compared to the SC19 &17. The Sc17&19 have a much higher fineness ratio so they track well without the daggerboard.

Comparing the SC19 to the SC20 in regards to no daggers is not too difficult. The SC19 is basically a SC17 on steroids. The design CLR is very far forward on the hull where as the SC20 CLR it is in the more classical location around the daggerboard. So if you sail the SC19 without daggers and sail it like the SC17 ( bow down to the tapes or deeper) it will go to weather just like an SC17 , (probably a bit higher) . As long as you keep the bows down and windward hull up it is pretty amazing going to weather and off the wind it is significantly faster because the hulls is much cleaner without the daggerboard trunk causing the turbulence and attendant drag.

Sailing either the SC17 or SC19 from the back of the bus is a deal killer, just stay forward and keep the boat on the tapes up wind they will go to weather as good or better than comparable vintage designs.

Hope this helps. Any other questions just give us a shout . 651-462-SAIL

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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chump23

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 05, 2015

Last visit: Jul 17, 2018

Posts: 123
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 06:42 PM

Thanks, Damon. That's interesting. Well, maybe I'll see what I can do about that SC20 in Austin!

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Hobie Getaway
Prindle 18 - Sold
South Padre Island, TX
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lakewateree

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 31, 2010

Last visit: Jan 27, 2022

Posts: 194
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 08:05 PM

I've redone 2 20's amd have had to replace the bow tangs in each of them. It's a pretty good job, but not impossible. Here's a thread on the Aquarius Forum documenting the redo of the first showing the bow tang replacement http://owners.aquarius-sa…/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=600

The latest one I did is for sale, but it's pricey due to all the upgrades I did to it (solid beams, self tacking jib, tramps, sails, top down furling spin, etc...)

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Mac
Midlands South Carolina
AHPC Viper USA 366
A Cat USA 366
Super Cat 17
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smfinley

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 24, 2005

Last visit: Apr 18, 2023

Posts: 709
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 08:34 PM

Great info Damon. Nice to see how responsive Aquarius was.

--
Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
‘96/‘01/‘14 Hobie Waves
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JohnES

Rank: Mate

Registered: Sep 01, 2002

Last visit: Apr 08, 2024

Posts: 786
Posted: Jul 13, 2016 - 08:53 PM

lakewatereeI've redone 2 20's amd have had to replace the bow tangs in each of them. It's a pretty good job, but not impossible. Here's a thread on the Aquarius Forum documenting the redo of the first showing the bow tang replacement http://owners.aquarius-sa…/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=600

The latest one I did is for sale, but it's pricey due to all the upgrades I did to it (solid beams, self tacking jib, tramps, sails, top down furling spin, etc...)

Awesome build report and that was a sharp looking boat when done...

Inspiration!

--
John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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DamonLinkous

Rank: Administrator

Registered: Jul 19, 2001

Last visit: Apr 01, 2024

Posts: 3428
Posted: Jul 14, 2016 - 01:55 PM

A little more info from Aquarius about the status of the Supercat models.

AquariusI would like to correct a misconception about SUPERCAT availability.

The only SUPERCATS not built anymore are the SC15 & SC20. The SC20 was replaced by the ARC22 . The RC27 , RC30 and ARC17 were added to our product line in early 1990's . The SC17 is still available as well as the SC19, SC19X and SC19XL versions.

Many changes in production methods and materials over the years yield a much lighter and stiffer hull thanks to the use of epoxy and much improved core materials as well as a much refined vacuum bag process. . Details make a difference.

Just too many things to list right now. Each boat is built to order and we try very hard to match the boat to the clients needs and sailing venues.

Parts are available for all older SUPERCATS and we try keep prices in line but unfortunately in some cases trying to update and restore older models at 2016 prices sometimes leads to sticker shock.

Sail fast and have fun.
samc99us

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 15, 2005

Last visit: Feb 21, 2024

Posts: 574
Posted: Jul 14, 2016 - 02:12 PM

Aquarius are doing their best, but certain parts are about 2-3x what market value should. Daggerboards are a case in point, I was quoted north of $2500 per ARC22 daggerboard. When the euro was up and Nacra parts weren't as cheap as they are now, an Infusion Mk. 2 longboard set you back $1350 each. It's about the same amount of carbon in each (perhaps a bit more in the ARC22 board), but the Mk. 2 board is fabricated in an Autoclave with pre-preg carbon, the Aquarius board I have is glass (though I suspect the new ones are Carbon). At that price point, it would almost be, or possibly is, more cost effective to drop the Nacra F20 carbon C-boards into the ARC22.
windwardde

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 20, 2011

Last visit: Apr 03, 2023

Posts: 167
Posted: Jul 14, 2016 - 02:34 PM

Just a quick note of support for Aquarius.
I own a Supercat 15 and they have been super with supplying me parts and advice for the 8 years or so I have owned this old, discontinued boat that still rocks. I am constantly amazed by the performance it has compared to a lot of other Hobies and others in its general "class".
They have gotten me sails, running rigging and standing rigging all without a hassle, and in my case, all at rationale prices. I don't expect them to be the cheapest, but they have always been fair for the quality and responsiveness I have received.
We need more suppliers like them.

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Supercat 15
Windrider 17
Several Sunfish and Sunfish clones
Ratboat built from Zuma and Sunfish parts
Shallow water sailor in the Delaware Bay
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klppurdy

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 16, 2011

Last visit: Jun 03, 2022

Posts: 224
Posted: Jul 18, 2016 - 11:07 AM

The designer of the Supercats (Mr Roberts) comes up to Jacksonville every year in an ARC 30 and usually wins line honors in the Mug Race. He is a former aerospace engineer and boat designer and designed the Supercat lineup because he felt the hobie 16's were just too dangerous when they pitch poled. If you notice all of the supercats have fairly large and rounded hulls and in some of the smaller models that sail well without daggerboards, the hull shape is symmetrical but still has a shape on the bottom that allows them to tack and track well.

There is a gentleman who comes up every year for the same race with a Supercat 20 and he sets it up and takes it down solo without too much effort. He does have a custom winch he built with a fulcrum on the mast for raising but that is about it.

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Kenneth Purdy
Hobie 16
Nacra 5.2 (2)
Banshee
First Coast, Florida
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