Leaving aside plastic boats like the Wave what production performance cats are favored by single hand sailers these days?
I owned and sailed a Nacra 5.2 in the 1990s off the beach in Santa Cruz, usually crewed. Back then the Hobie 17 was probably the top selling single-hand designed boat. There were still some Hobie 14s in use, and Nacra had the 5.5 Uni and then later I believe the Inter17.
All of these boats were optimized for single handing by having fewer controls, all uni rigged initially, and lighter/smaller for one person.
The Nacra 5.2, after returning it to it's factory style rigging was quite complex, including daggerboards, two sails, lots of adjustments and rudders that didn't quite "kick up". Especially for sailing off of (and back onto) a beach, it was a handful for one person. It was also heavy for one person to right (something I never needed to do single handed) at 350 lbs. When I moved from the area I thought if I got another beach-cat someday I would look into a more dedicated singlehanded.
Jump forward to now and it seems that all the performance boats are optimized for two person crews. Most have three sails now, meaning sailing them as intended by one person is going to be even more challenging. Nacra builds the Nacra 15, Nacra F16, Nacra 17, and Nacra F18 - but all are designed for two-person crews. Hobie only has the F18 boat and the antiquated H-16 in fiberglass.
Back in the 1990s there were the Hobie Singlehanded Championships every year which had divisions for both Hobie 14's and Hobie 17's. Has single-handed cat racing died off? (I know about the A-cat, but those seem too expensive and exotic).
I'm a bit over 6' and 220lbs. Looking at all the current Nacra's for instance, I come closest to the min. crew weight on the smallest - the Nacra 15 (but it's designed for two juniors). Anyone single hand those? On the other hand the 15', 16' and 17' are all pretty close in weight, and if I were going to sail one with only the main maybe the 17 would be the best choice - the bigger main.
My thinking is that F18 and larger boats are best sailed by crews of two, even though, of course some people successfully sail them singlehanded.
Beach launching won't be an "every time" event, but something beach able still seems like a plus.
Best Current Production Performance Single hand Beach Cat
-
- Rank: Lubber
- Registered: May 14, 2016
- Last visit: Jan 01, 2018
- Posts: 8
Posted: May 14, 2016 - 10:55 PM
-
- Rank: Lubber
- Registered: Sep 13, 2015
- Last visit: Apr 22, 2017
- Posts: 44
Posted: May 15, 2016 - 02:03 AM
Sound alike you want an A-Class. Fast, designed for one person, uni rig, light, simple controls.... Did I mention fast? -
- Rank: Lubber
- Registered: May 14, 2016
- Last visit: Jan 01, 2018
- Posts: 8
Posted: May 15, 2016 - 01:02 PM
The A Cats are certainly an option. They seem pretty esoteric, though. i went to the A Class cat site a few weeks ago and fully 1/3 the manufacturers listed are dead links. And none of them are companies I've ever heard of. Most all are European, and nothing against the Eruos, they are the ones keeping beach catting alive now, but it's a concern to have a boat from a small builder in Poland or something. I am pretty handy, did lots of work on the Nacra I owned, but also remember them sending me some parts.
I also worry about their strength. Being an all out development class aren't a lot of them built as light as possible?
Maybe some A sailors can tell me more. -
- Rank: Lubber
- Registered: Sep 13, 2015
- Last visit: Apr 22, 2017
- Posts: 44
Posted: May 15, 2016 - 02:56 PM
There are two major builders right now, DNA and Exploder, both are doing full production runs of boats. I don't know how many they are building, but both are pretty solid companies. DNA also does a lot of big boat production (the Gunboat G4 was designed and built by them for instance). There are also a lot of small builders that basically build custom boats if you want something else. But no, there isn't a builder with the market presence of Hobie, or NACRA in the mix. The margins are too low for a major builder to mess with it because the molds are modified every year, and there is a constant engineering cost to the modifications.
The boats are light, but not fragile. The minimum weight acts to control building too flimsy. This combined with full carbon prepeg construction and nomex cores means the boats are very light, but also reasonably strong. They certainly can't be abused like a rotomolded boat, but they also don't have a lot of construction issues like Hobie 16's do. Once you have accepted expensive materials, spending a touch more on high quality labor isn't difficult.
As for parts... There really aren't many. The boats have been refined down to be as simple as possible, so there just aren't that many parts to break. Other than foils I am not sure that there is anything on the boats that isn't a stock off the shelf part available from either West Marine, the Exploder dealer in the US, or worst case Hall Spar (Ben Hall races A-Cats and keeps parts for the boats I think as a vanity project). The tiller extension Hall makes for instance is 8.5' prepeg carbon uni tube that is autoclaved for about $20 more than the Ronstan wound extension.
I bought into the class having zero beach cat experience, and almost no dinghy experience in the last 15 years, and the boat has been a blast. The only real breakage I have had happened when I dropped the boat off of the trailer onto the bows... It took a few minutes to epoxy the crack closed well enough to race it for a few months until I could send it to be fixed at a yard. -
- Rank: Lubber
- Registered: May 14, 2016
- Last visit: Jan 01, 2018
- Posts: 8
Posted: May 15, 2016 - 04:36 PM
Thank you very much for taking time to explain this to me. It's very helpful information and I will be checking out both the designs that you mention, as well as A cats in general in more detail. -
- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Apr 24, 2005
- Last visit: Apr 18, 2023
- Posts: 709
Posted: May 15, 2016 - 04:46 PM
It seems like a few year old a class boat would be available at a decent price since once not race competitive the value would drop significantly. Just a guess. However at 220lbs that might be heavy for those boats.
--
Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
‘96/‘01/‘14 Hobie Waves
-- -
- Rank: Lubber
- Registered: Sep 13, 2015
- Last visit: Apr 22, 2017
- Posts: 44
Posted: May 15, 2016 - 05:34 PM
I absolutely would not buy a new A-Cat if it's your first one. Get a good condition C-Board boat and spend some time learning how to sail it. All the new boats are full foiling designs and require serious skills to handle let alone learn on.
Of the ones for sale on usaca.com I would snatch Mike Krantz Geltec up in a heartbeat. It is in mint condition, and I would be willing to bet he would cut you a deal on all the Zhik gear you can stomach as an incintive (he is the Zhik distributor for the US).
If you want some more suggestions I can ask around the class and see if anyone has some recomendations. I don't know the other C board boats personally however.
As for weight... At 220 you will be on the heavy end of the class, but not excessively so. I was 225 when I started sailing it and am down to 210 now. Something about knowing every pound helps performance is a pretty big motivator to loose some of that extra gut. The trick is that since the boats are a development class there is no limitation on the cut of the sails. So you buy a slightly deeper draft sail than someone who is 150lbs. Looking around the boat park the average is probably 185-195 so you aren't that far out of the range.
Worst case you fly a hull at 11kn of breeze instead of 10kn. -
- Rank: Chief
- Registered: Jun 24, 2009
- Last visit: Jun 15, 2023
- Posts: 1555
Posted: May 15, 2016 - 07:52 PM
There are actually no currently produced single handers out there. The F17 class is nearly dead. The closest you could get is a Hobie FXone or Nacra F17. A class is really the biggest single hand class still out there, but it can be pricey and the boats are very fragile. Being the 220+ club myself I wouldn't be in a hurry to go to a A cat.
All that being said being in the clydesdale club also means there are lots of cats you can effectively singlehand. Hobie 16, Nacra 5.0, Nacra 5.2, Prindle 16, etc etc. I single hand my Nacra 5.7 all the time.
--
Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
-- -
- Rank: Lubber
- Registered: Feb 26, 2014
- Last visit: Oct 03, 2023
- Posts: 84
Posted: May 15, 2016 - 09:36 PM
I like spins because I don't like to wallow downwind in light air and chop so if money were no option I would look at the F16's of which you can add a jib for sailing 2-up.
James
H17
F25C -
- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Jun 17, 2011
- Last visit: Sep 24, 2023
- Posts: 783
Posted: May 16, 2016 - 08:10 AM
I race the A-class at 230lbs. I don't feel at too much a disadvantage in anything up marginal trapeze conditions. The A is a fantastic RACE boat, most of them are not much for cruising.
The F16 class allows one or two up, though my friends don't seem to like the boat much without a jib.
The Taipan 4.9 is another option, its lightweight and has several rig options.
--
Greenville SC
Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
-- -
- Rank: Master Chief
- Registered: Jun 20, 2006
- Last visit: Apr 06, 2024
- Posts: 7088
Posted: May 16, 2016 - 08:56 AM
+1 for f16
I wouldn't personally buy one (not into the dagger boards) but that is an option for sure.
If I was buyin a new cat, I would probably buy a new mystere 5.5 or 6.0
-
- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Apr 15, 2005
- Last visit: Feb 21, 2024
- Posts: 574
Posted: May 16, 2016 - 12:03 PM
If the O.P wants to race singlehanded, the A-cat is hands down his best bet. We have a singlehanded F16 guy, Falcon, seriously looking at going to an A-cat with spinnaker. Ease of handling on the beach is a major factor, as the A weighs half that of the F16. Other factors are the A cat fleet is large and growing, while the F16 class tends to be less organized, and probably a bigger factor, they sail 2 up at most all events.
If not interested in racing, and just going fast, a $5K A-cat is still very hard to beat. Being all carbon, they don't get soft like other boats, at least not for a very good long time (30 years or more), they are easy to handle on the beach, only one sail to rig (30 minutes to dress and rig and get on the water, vs. pretty much double that for any spin boat) and fast. -
- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Apr 15, 2005
- Last visit: Feb 21, 2024
- Posts: 574
Posted: May 16, 2016 - 12:08 PM
MN,
Not sure how the O.P is supposed to haul a 407lb Mystere 5.5 up the beach solo?
The Taipan is good option, being very light (~220lbs) and grandfathered in to the F16 class. Our local distance race was won Saturday by a Taipan 4.9 w/ kite and square head F16 main, on corrected time. The boat lacks volume downwind and a planning hull shape, but is still a very good option, not many used however, and if going new, Falcon F16 from Matt McDonald in Florida wins the "new boat rigged with spinnaker" game. -
- Rank: Chief
- Registered: Jun 24, 2009
- Last visit: Jun 15, 2023
- Posts: 1555
Posted: May 16, 2016 - 09:24 PM
Florida sailcraft Cat trax! I haul my Nacra 5.7 around by myself all the time it isn't a big issue. Most boats are well over 300 lbs rigged (I think mind is around 350). Unless you are going with a full carbon ror very fragile rig it's going to be the same difference.
--
Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
-- -
- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Apr 15, 2005
- Last visit: Feb 21, 2024
- Posts: 574
Posted: May 17, 2016 - 09:39 AM
Dave,
I'm well aware of what Cat Trax are, have owned several pairs (and the lesser alternatives). At least where I sail, we can barely get our 400lb F18 out of the water and up the ramp with two people. Depending on the beach, you can do it singlehanded, but it isn't easy. From the looks of your avatar, you are fortunate to sail out of a marina with a proper launch, in which case you can do this. Try an A-cat on once though, and you'll soon realize the ease a 165lb boat is to handle on land. And by handle, I mean other things like flip sideways to sort out rigging and other things.
-Sam -
- Rank: Master Chief
- Registered: Jun 20, 2006
- Last visit: Apr 06, 2024
- Posts: 7088
Posted: May 17, 2016 - 01:27 PM
I don't have ANY issues pulling my mystere 5.5 up the beach after a long day ofdrinking rumI mean sailing. I pull backwards from the hiking straps and walk it at an slight angle
same with all the mystere 5.5 sailors here. we can all do it solo (but will take help when available)
(I'm 5'6" 170 lbs - O.P. claims to be "6' and 220lbs" - at that size he could eat me and my mystere 5.5 for a snack and still pull his 400lb+ boat around the block)
the trick is to have the wheels exactly over the CE - then it's really not "heavy"
Our beach isn't terribly steep but can have 50' of area to pull up at low tide
PS my mystere weighs more like 525lbs when loaded with cooler, 2 righting bags, spinnaker, anchor with chain, small tool kit, dry bag full of gear in case of capsize, etc)
Edited by MN3 on May 17, 2016 - 01:33 PM. -
- Rank: Mate
- Registered: Jun 17, 2011
- Last visit: Sep 24, 2023
- Posts: 783
Posted: May 19, 2016 - 07:30 AM
Your conditions work well for you.
I'm a big guy at 230, I consider myself pretty strong. I have single handed an F-18,I-20 and Hobie 18 on several occasions. There is no way I could recommend such heavy boats for full time solo work.
--
Greenville SC
Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans
-- -
- Rank: Master Chief
- Registered: Jun 20, 2006
- Last visit: Apr 06, 2024
- Posts: 7088
Posted: May 19, 2016 - 09:28 AM
funny, I am (the smallest) 1 of 3 guys who regularly sail a mystere 5.5 solo (the 3rd guy has wings on his 5.5 and 6.0)
we also have at least 2 guys who solo regularly on their mystere 6.0, and a few others who do it 1/2 the time solo
and we have a g-cat guy who sails solo several days a week on his g-cat 5.7
none of us have ANY issues handling our boats, spinnakers or getting our boats up our beach without any help
I will say that my 6.0 (with custom wings) is a bit too much for me to roll up the beach solo, and I prefer crew in heavy air but I have sailed it solo several times in heavy air...
YMMV -
- Rank: Master Chief
- Registered: Jun 20, 2006
- Last visit: Apr 06, 2024
- Posts: 7088
Posted: May 19, 2016 - 09:29 AM
funny, I am (the smallest) 1 of 3 guys who regularly sail a mystere 5.5 solo (the 3rd guy has wings on his 5.5 and 6.0)
we also have at least 2 guys who solo regularly on their mystere 6.0, and a few others who do it 1/2 the time solo
and we have a g-cat guy who sails solo several days a week on his g-cat 5.7
none of us have ANY issues handling our boats, spinnakers or getting our boats up our beach without any help
I will say that my 6.0 (with custom wings) is a bit too much for me to roll up the beach solo, and I prefer crew in heavy air but I have sailed it solo several times in heavy air...
YMMV -
- Rank: Master Chief
- Registered: Jun 20, 2006
- Last visit: Apr 06, 2024
- Posts: 7088
Posted: May 19, 2016 - 09:30 AM
Video of me solo on the 5.5
https://youtu.be/ZxibaLnqDEM
Video from 2 weeks ago, my buddy flying the hull with crew on the wing
https://youtu.be/ffP-DFVYtqU
Edited by MN3 on May 19, 2016 - 09:36 AM.
