Beachcats for big people, a solicitation for advice

I think his short list looks pretty good, except for the Trac 18. The Tiger, F18 and the Taipan are likely going to be tough to find for under $10,000 but they are all boats I wouldn't mind owning and meet most of the criteria if not all of it.

I messed up on the Tiger weight it is 397, sorry. I'm pretty sure that is the only error.

I did leave some of the cats in there that are probably to expensive... especially after yesterday. When it comes to buying you never know. I did cull some of the super expensive boats from the list.

If you read the thread from the beginning I think you will find it has been full of good advice and discussion. That is what this forum is for, right?!

I'm not sorry it hasn't been up to your standards Scott. 🙄

Dodged many bullets tonight tornadoes spotted to the north, south, east and west. Bloomington was sparred.

You need a Tornado in your back yard. Pete

pbegle wrote: You need a Tornado in your back yard. Pete

If you're talking about the International Tornado class cat, I completely agree... it is at the top of my list.

If you're talking about any other Tornado, GTFO! 😉

Well it would be kind of ironic, sailing a Tornado after the Tornado. I think it would be a great boat for ya!

OK Lon, here's your boat

http://www.thebeachcats.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=10547

No excuses, this boat is close to you.

Seriously, this is what I've got and I've sailed anywhere from solo at 230-300 and with crew 500+ lbs., I've taken my 70+ year old parents out through the surf and sailed in all type conditions and waters since 1992 on the Hobie 18 with wings.

Then there is this...
"Chicks dig the wings"

With Hobie 18's (and most boats) the year of manufacture is important.

1978-1983 heavy but bullet proof
1984-1986 light but failure prone
1987-1988 has the upgraded rudder system (plastic cams)
1989+ best Hobie 18's available

Unfortunately after 1990 there were not very many 18's sold, so availability isn't good.

Thanks Damon!

After my fence episode it will be a few pay periods before I can afford a boat. I have to admit I'm looking towards a lighter cat than the H18. But it is a good fit, thanks again.

PS- How does one know chickens like the H18 wings? Do they cluck more? 😀

lonbordin wrote: PS- How does one know chickens like the H18 wings? Do they cluck more? 😀

Oh yes, wings increase clucking by 43% during the day and 90% at night.

there is no or none that i know 18+ cats under 400lbs (except a-cats)
if you want a strong boat that can carry big loads.. your gonna have a heavy boat.

edited by: andrewscott, Jun 19, 2010 - 09:10 AM

andrewscott wrote: there is no or none that i know 18+ cats under 400lbs (except a-cats)
if you want a strong boat that can carry big loads.. your gonna have a heavy boat.
edited by: andrewscott, Jun 19, 2010 - 09:10 AM

As posted before, in this very thread, a short list of boats that weigh less than 400 lbs.

Note: Yes the A-cats and other boats that typically go for 10k+ are not in this list. Yes there are other cats that fit as well but are more exotic and not likely to be seen (Dart18, etc.) by me living in Indiana.

CLASS D-PN Weight
Taipan 5.7 60.7 270
Nacra 18 64.6 330
Tornado 63.9 340
Hobie FXOne 68.5 340
Nacra 5.5 69.7 340
Trac 18 67.5 349
Nacra 570 70.5 360
Nacra 5.7 72.6 360
Prindle 18-2 69.1 365
Prindle 19 66.4 375
18m2 67.2 375
SuperCat 19 69 375

Just a quick update on the hunt.
I bid on that Supercat 20 and didn't get it, thank goodness...drinking and biding is a bad idea. There was a Prindle 19 that I called on and was just sold 30 minutes prior. I had a line on a Tornado in the Chicago area the gentlemen wouldn't hold it until the weekend, wouldn't take paypal and someone scooped that up Friday as I was set to head up Friday afternoon. He was nice enough to call to let me know before I left, whew.

I'm most bummed about the Tornado... it was vintage but sweet and the price was right! Ah well.

Still watching and sailing the Bucc.

lonbordin wrote: Still watching and sailing the Bucc.

Keep at it, eventually you will find the right boat and be glad you passed or missed on all the rest.

Well I bought a cat. I'll let you guess which one of my list it is. 😀

One hint, it has dagger-boards.

Its been a long day and then I scrubbed two years of setting in the woods off the boat, whew. So I'll check back later with more hints if necessary. But I know that won't be necessary with this group. 😎

Really no guesses... no one wants to play... 🙁 sniff, sniff

Hint # 2: Sailboat data says only 100 built (I don't believe it, though).

Trac 18, looks like its in great shape 😎

Biggie wrote: Trac 18, looks like its in great shape 😎

YES!

edited by: lonbordin, Jul 11, 2010 - 10:42 PM

100 built may be correct, I've never seen one so they must be really rare. 😎

Just like the other manufacturers, they probably made a lot more 16's, but still a tiny number compared to Hobie's and Prindles.

Congrats on finding your boat, good luck and please document and photograph the boat when you get it fully rigged. We can make an album in the Beachcats Identification album with rigging details that will help the next Trac 18 Owner.

I will be taking photos and documenting the process of bringing this one back from the edge.

Fellow Beachcat member Holmeswake's Trac 18 is a lot prettier than mine but hey it was only three hundred bucks so it's not so bad.

It fit my requirements:
Cheap, Lighter than average 349lbs, Pretty quick 67.5 Portsmouth and plenty of hull volume to deal with the big people. Bonus was it's boomless design and all Harken tackle.

The short list to be completed before the first sail:
-Restitch the trampoline seams
-New lines for the entire boat
-Jib is torn and may not be repairable
-Main sheet needs to visit Sailcare for a cleaning
-Get a set of Cat Tracks
-and a little glass work.

I wish The Trac Cat Website was still online, sigh.
This Trac Cat 16 pdf is a great resource though.

I'll be happy to contribute photo's Damon. Let me know where to put them.

THANK YOU to all that posted I appreciate it!

PS- Been a little busy today but still made some progress.

edited by: lonbordin, Jul 11, 2010 - 10:46 PM

lonbordin wrote:
-Restitch the trampoline seams Any recommendations here?

Check in your area for a tent and awning maker, they have the heavy duty machines needed for that, they wouldn't need to know anything about tramps other than you need them to use UV-stable thread.

lonbordin wrote: I'll be happy to contribute photo's Damon. Let me know where to put them.

I've created a new top album in Beachcats Identification called "Trac 18 - AMF Alcort" and placed an album title "Trac 18 - lonbordin" inside, you are the owner of the lonbordin album so once you are in their just click on "Add Items" in the left menu to upload pics.
http://www.thebeachcats.com/index.php?module=pictures&g2_itemId=74651

damonAdmin wrote: [quote=lonbordin]
-Restitch the trampoline seams Any recommendations here?

Check in your area for a tent and awning maker, they have the heavy duty machines needed for that, they wouldn't need to know anything about tramps other than you need them to use UV-stable thread.

I edited out the recommendations part (too slow it seems) because I found a local place with experience willing to do it. (I almost passed out! What luck!)

I'll upload my pics to that album from now on out, thanks.

Glad to hear you found yourself a cat. Hopefully you will be on the water soon with it.