Best catamaran in bay with tight 1-3 foot waves

I currently own a P-18 classic and I love to solo it. When I sail with crew, I tend to take light people. I sailed a Nacra 5.8NA for years and consider it a great boat when the waves get big. Gotta make sure to put some deck-skid of some kind on it to hang on, but it will bounce right through/over those waves. The 6.0 is a nice boat too, but you better know what you are doing in heavy air.
I plan to sail on the Chesapeake for the 1st time this summer. Taking a summer vacation with the family to Annapolis. I think I have secured a ride with a friend of mine with a Stiletto 27. Hope to see you on the bay.

I love sailing my P19 in rough conditions. It weights only 10 more pounds than the P18 and its hulls are much better at wave piercing.
Choppy conditions- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeEN77NJdfE
With a Spin at 3:10 mark- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VvOGbetU5I

Supercat 20 with spin added is nice if you can leave it assembled(12' beam). Big, buoyant bows that resist burying. 6.0 with spin, or I20 would do well, and maybe easier to find. H20 could be findable/affordable. The I20 was designed as a spin boat, but my experience with the others with spins added has been good all around.
Tornado is another great boat, later models came with chutes. A 20' boat is what you want for chop, you'll be pleased with any of them.

Thanks for your comments. Would love to find a Supercat 20 but not seeing much out there. My P-18 is at a marina with mast up so setting up not an issue. New boats are out of my price range. Considering the Inter 20 or NACRA 6.0 as they seem to be more available. Would also consider a Hobie or Tornado if others recommend this. Peyton if your in the Annapolis area e-mail me an I will try to get out and meet you guys when you go out. Thanks for your help.

There are currently 2 SC17s and 2 SC20s in the classifieds on this site. Search tempest will show a few more.
Here's a classic rescue cat not to far from home.

https://richmond.craigslist.org/boa/5540440253.html

I'd buy it myself but another boat project in the yard would be grounds for divorce.
I sail a SC15 in the mouth of the Potomac. The short hull length makes her a little bumpy in a chop but she weathers it just fine. Some of my sailing buddies have longer SCs which handle the chop with ease. SCs have huge, buoyant hulls that roll off on the top so they don't dig in. There built like tanks but sail really fast.
Good luck, see ya on the water, GH

Mystere 5.5 or 6.0
Big buoyant bows for driving
lots of room on deck
can be family fun or race winner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH6I6187L18

That video was heavy on the graphics and light on footage of actual sailing.

tru - here is a longer one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0IaQm_yEv4

gahamby wrote: That video was heavy on the graphics and light on footage of actual sailing.

I liked the 2nd video in the set with the two cats. Liked the drink holder for the trap man. What kind of harness is that?

I liked the 2nd video in the set with the two cats. Liked the drink holder for the trap man. What kind of harness is that?

If you have mast up storage check out the Supercat 20, great boat, big platform, very stable. Also check out the Hobie 21SE, also hard to find but handles waves great, big platform, with wings. Neither are modern high tech boats, but great recreational boats that handle large crews and waves well. Both accept spin's well if you want to go there. Both are also heavy so need 2-3 people to handle on beachwheels.

murray's

gahamby wrote: I liked the 2nd video in the set with the two cats. Liked the drink holder for the trap man. What kind of harness is that?

I also raced P-19's for years as well. It's a great boat, with the fwd bulkhead upgrades, but when the wind goes over 15mph, the Nacra points higher because of more daggerboard in the water and better buoyancy up front. I have punched the bows all the way to the front crossbar and still floated/powered up and out. The Prindle 19 I was racing against, snapped the port bow off at the forestay.

MN3 was that the Mystere 5.5 or 6.0 in the video? What is the beam on each of those boats?
Appears like the Mystere 6.0 are well priced. Any problems getting parts? Any problems in general with those cats?

Inter 20.....

Bacho thanks I'm definitely leaning that way. Anyone have any comments on the Hobie Miracle 20?

The Mystere 6 can be had in both widths, 8 & 10' beams, (or maybe it is 8'6"). I had a 6.0XL, it came with both sets of beams, but I never changed it from 10'.
That boat was a blast in the water types you are talking. I sailed it solo for the most part, with a bag launched spin. You had to be organized!
If I had crew most of the time, it would still be my Go-To boat, but solo I prefer my Nacra 5.7, or even the 5.0.
The older Mysteres had some problems with rudder castings.
They changed the mast ball in either 2000, or 2001. My boat was a 2001, & had the delrin mast post, they are easy to replace. Previous years come with an aluminum ball/post, (looks like a tornado setup), & they are hard to find.
The boat had huge flotation in the bows, but i found it difficult to right, extremely difficult when solo.
Here are a few photos of the 10' beam, (13.5' with wings). You can see the newer mast ball in one of the pics.
http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures?g2_itemId=106278

Thanks Ed. Appreciate the help. Makes my decision more difficult as a Mystere 6.0 with wings would be very appealing. Thanks for the pictures and advice. Almost always sail with crew and could use my Prindle 18 as backup if sailing solo as I am very comfortable with this boat solo in moderate to light winds.

Ed,

Did you sell your Mystere? Are you figuring on the H18 as a replacement? I was envious of that trailer you got with the 6.0.

Pete

Edchris177 wrote: The Mystere 6 can be had in both widths, 8 & 10' beams, (or maybe it is 8'6"). I had a 6.0XL, it came with both sets of beams, but I never changed it from 10'.
That boat was a blast in the water types you are talking. I sailed it solo for the most part, with a bag launched spin. You had to be organized!
If I had crew most of the time, it would still be my Go-To boat, but solo I prefer my Nacra 5.7, or even the 5.0.
The older Mysteres had some problems with rudder castings.
They changed the mast ball in either 2000, or 2001. My boat was a 2001, & had the delrin mast post, they are easy to replace. Previous years come with an aluminum ball/post, (looks like a tornado setup), & they are hard to find.
The boat had huge flotation in the bows, but i found it difficult to right, extremely difficult when solo.
Here are a few photos of the 10' beam, (13.5' with wings). You can see the newer mast ball in one of the pics.
http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures?g2_itemId=106278

Both 5.5's and 6.0's in the videos
the standard beam is 8'6" - as ed mentioned the XL's have a 10'beam option
parts are plentiful around here, could be a challenge in other locations
Mystere is building boats again and is selling parts

I've never heard of mystere having rudder casting issues (besides them breaking with extreme use and abuse)
I solo my 5.5 with spin all the time, it does require a righting bag to solo right (but what big boat doesn't)

No "General problems" - these are strong, fast boat with centerboards that work well for shallow areas and are a great fun or race boat.

So nice I bought 3 of them

spoulton wrote: MN3 was that the Mystere 5.5 or 6.0 in the video? What is the beam on each of those boats?
Appears like the Mystere 6.0 are well priced. Any problems getting parts? Any problems in general with those cats?

spoulton wrote: Bacho thanks I'm definitely leaning that way. Anyone have any comments on the Hobie Miracle 20?

The Miracle is making comeback as some fleets are popping up...

I would second the Inter/Nacra 20. They can be had cheap, and were built with having a spinnaker from the start... Good to have on those dead August days with ships heading up to Baltimore.

Edited by JohnES on May 04, 2016 - 06:47 PM.

I would add the caveat that n20's are race boats and not really cruisers (take a long time to rig, and have dagger boards) and not a forgiving boat - but they are fast and strong

JohnES wrote:
I would second the Inter/Nacra 20. They can be had cheap, and were built with having a spinnaker from the start... Good to have on those dead August days with ships heading up to Baltimore.Edited by JohnES on May 04, 2016 - 06:47 PM.

I love my Hobie 20 in all conditions.. I furl the jib when the wind gets crazy but it handles chop, surf and large swells with ease. I installed Hobie 18 magnum wings on mine when i feel like relaxing and taking a couple people out for a cruise. Can set it up from trailer to water in 30 minutes. It will fly a Hull in 10 kts nice and smooth. Like all other 20' cats it is a beast in anything approaching 20 mph or more. I've done a few mods to mine to make my noob crew have a comfy seat and not have to deal with a tramp full of lines and sheets everywhere 😉 Don't want her to get boat bite lol.

double post issues here too......... OS X and safari

Edited by fxloop on May 05, 2016 - 01:27 AM.

MN3 wrote: I would add the caveat that n20's are race boats and not really cruisers (take a long time to rig, and have dagger boards) and not a forgiving boat - but they are fast and strong

[quote=JohnES]
I would second the Inter/Nacra 20. They can be had cheap, and were built with having a spinnaker from the start... Good to have on those dead August days with ships heading up to Baltimore.Edited by JohnES on May 04, 2016 - 06:47 PM.

e yer sailed on ou ev

MN3 have you ever sailed and/or owned a NACRA/Inter 20? If you have, I don't think you would be making those statements...

Having both owned a Nacra 20 and sailed the Chesapeake Bay I say this is a great choice along with the Hobie 20.. The problem with the Hobie is there is a resurgence; at least on the West Coast, in the class and the boats are not that cheap anymore.

Those that know me, know that have I pitched polled, flipped, and cartwheeled with just about every boat I have had and in ever race I have been in. I really had to push and I mean push the Nacra hard to get it to pitch over, and as for flipping, it is not a hair trigger experience similar to the Myster 6.0, Nacra 6.0, or Hobie 20's I have sailed on.. Heels up, head up travel out and it settles right back down. very smooth, guess that is why the call the N20 "the boat with the Cadillac ride."

The Hobie 20 has dagger board and was/is a race boat too? Huh!!!!!

Nacra 20 is not a good cursing boat????? With self taking jib set up it has a very clean deck, no lines for the passengers (non sailors are passengers, not crew) to get caught up in... Can't say how many times I have 3 or 4 on the boat for and afternoon sail... The carbon fiber mast does not take a Chinook helicopter to lift it, hell it is lighter than my Prindle 18 mast. Set up can be done single handed.... I have done this a few time..

MN3 wrote: I would add the caveat that n20's are race boats and not really cruisers (take a long time to rig, and have dagger boards) and not a forgiving boat - but they are fast and strong

[quote=JohnES]
I would second the Inter/Nacra 20. They can be had cheap, and were built with having a spinnaker from the start... Good to have on those dead August days with ships heading up to Baltimore.Edited by JohnES on May 04, 2016 - 06:47 PM.

MN3 have you ever sailed and/or owned a NACRA/Inter 20? If you have, I don't think you would be making those statements...

Having both owned a Nacra 20 and sailed the Chesapeake Bay I say this is a great choice along with the Hobie 20.. The problem with the Hobie is there is a resurgence; at least on the West Coast, in the class and the boats are not that cheap anymore.

Those that know me, know that have I pitched polled, flipped, and cartwheeled with just about every boat I have had and in ever race I have been in. I really had to push and I mean push the Nacra hard to get it to pitch over, and as for flipping, it is not a hair trigger experience similar to the Myster 6.0, Nacra 6.0, or Hobie 20's I have sailed on.. Heels up, head up travel out and it settles right back down. very smooth, guess that is why the call the N20 "the boat with the Cadillac ride."

The Hobie 20 has dagger board and was/is a race boat too? Huh!!!!!

Nacra 20 is not a good cursing boat????? With self taking jib set up it has a very clean deck, no lines for the passengers (non sailors are passengers, not crew) to get caught up in... Can't say how many times I have 3 or 4 on the boat for and afternoon sail... The carbon fiber mast does not take a Chinook helicopter to lift it, hell it is lighter than my Prindle 18 mast. Set up can be done single handed.... I have done this a few time..

Edited by JohnES on May 05, 2016 - 05:17 PM.

I agree that the I20 does the "race boat" and "cruiser" exceptionally well. Its the only race boat for 400lbs+ crew weight. The boards are long, but its not really a bigger issue than any other boat provided your not sailing in very shallow bodies of water.

Did you sell your Mystere? Are you figuring on the H18 as a replacement? I was envious of that trailer you got with the 6.0.

Reluctantly, I did. It was a kick ass boat! My tramp launched spin wasn't ideal, but it sure was fun. I soloed that combination quite a bit, had to be totally organized, & of course slow/methodical was better when solo.
I found even when I had crew, we usually ended up taking 2 boats out, it was more fun with both Nacras vs a single 20 footer. Still I would have kept it, but righting it was VERY tough when solo. The wings weighed around 20lb each,(they were customized H21 wings), & that extra weight once over centre made quite a difference. Generally there is no coast gourd around, in fact many times I sailed without being in visual of any boats, fine when the water is warm, but one had to take so many precautions early/late in season that it took much of the fun out.
The 6XL was fine in up to 12ish or so wind, but you had to be very careful. With only myself, it could easily be flipped in 10mph, if you got caught daydreaming with main cleated.
My wife liked the wings so much she was always hounding me to get a boat with wings. The H18 came along, so I bought it, despite not really needing it. I honestly don't think it will be faster, or "better" than my 5.7. For recreational sailing you just can't beat the simplicity/performance of a boomless/boardless boat like the 5.7.
Anyway, I overhauled the H18, total standing rig package, compounded the hulls, new shroud pins, sails gone over, bought spare jib, new lines, hatches. I'll sail it hard this summer, & see how I like it vs the 2 Nacra.
My neighbor is already bugging me to sell him the 5.7, & ditch his old H16.

MN3 have you ever sailed and/or owned a NACRA/Inter 20? If you have, I don't think you would be making those statements...

owned, no
sailed, yes
raced against, many times.
we have a n20 on our beach that races in almost every local race and I am friendly with the team that races it.

Any good sailor can take out a deck full of people on their boat regardless of it's classification.

I will stand by my statement and say this is a race boat, not really a cruiser -
that doesn't mean it can't work .. it means this boat was built as a racer and not built for "comfortable recreation time on the water with friends and family"

Nacra 20 is not a good cursing boat?????

I hear plenty of swear words coming from the N20 teams

it is not a hair trigger experience similar to the Myster 6.0,

not sure what your talking about. I have owned mysteres for a decade, we have dozens in our area. I have NEVER seen one pitchpole. we can drive the bows underwater up to the beam and the boat will "popup" like a cork.