Catamaran or not?

Kinda an apples and oranges comparison. I will say that your now going to have any fun on a laser with more than one adult on it.

neither will accommodate 4 people (comfortably)

Agreed, a Laser is really a solo boat, and you'd need a 20' cat (Supercat 20?)to reasonably accommodate four adults, an then that'd be just cruising, even twenty footers are two man boats.

Edited by davefarmer on Jan 27, 2014 - 08:26 AM.

As a prior laser sailor I can speak from my own experience that your laser is not going to hold anyone but yourself. On mine I took my (then) 3 year old son a few times and it was not fun! Then I got my Nacra 5.0 and was able to take him and 3 of his buddies on board without a problem and pull a tube behind the boat, etc (lots of fun). Now my kids are 8 and 10 and I gladly take both of them on board at the same time but that's my limit. We tried 4 but constantly reminding people to stay off the lines is getting a bit annoying, also it really kills the speed of the boat!

Hobie Getaway 🙂
Tim

There are too many important factors to give an answer, but the crew of 4 would determine the options by itself, you should probably review how important it is or specify if you are talking about 4 adults or a combination of children and adults.

The Hobie Getaway is the only beachcat that I think would accomodate four adults. It is a family or recreational boat, with lots of buoyancy and a big trampoline without daggerboards or lots of lines on it. But because of that it is very slow in comparison to other cats. Many people (including myself) will find it boring. Even if you think it would be fine for you, after a couple of years you may end up with the same conclusion. It only depends of what you are looking for. If it's more about lazy sailing with your family, it might work. If you are looking for performance and speed, then you start sacrificing tramp room, simplicity, speed of rigging, etc.

If you were talking about a family of two adults and two children or teenagers, then depending on the total weight, a Nacra 5.7 would work on moderate conditions. Certainly not ideal but probably a good compromise if you like a more sporty boat and most of the time you will have 2 on board, and sometimes 1 or 3.

With cats it's not about room but mostly about weight versus buoyancy. If the boat is overloaded it will spray a lot more and you will be more prone to pitchpoling, (that's why I say under moredate conditions only for the N5.7). It's also about all the control lines on the tramp that the crew (particularly inexperienced) will be sitting on, making it very difficult to tack.. A boomless is probably good idea too for safety if you have a tramp full of people.

If you really are thinking to have 4 on board very often, maybe a bigger monohull would probably be a good option if you don't like the idea of the Hobie Getaway. Monohulls and cats are just different things, both are fun and it's very unlikely that you find an impartial advice on that choice on a cat forum..

Edited by Andinista on Jan 27, 2014 - 12:10 PM.

mmcquade wrote: I will be sailing it in the ocean and bays, with a crew from 1-4 people

If you are intending to sail in different places every time, for a day or two, then launching and rigging become very important factors. It's not easy and not fast to rig a cat solo (totally possible but not trivial). If you are married and your wife is not the kind that will help you out, she will most likely criticize you for taking so long.. 🙄 ). For launching you need a good ramp or at least to be able to put the boat on the beach and continue with beachwheels.

On the other hand, you can rig and move a Laser much easier, even without trailer and dolly. (but for four you might actually need two lasers ....)

Edited by Andinista on Jan 27, 2014 - 12:11 PM.

mmcquade wrote: I am trying to decide on a sail boat to buy. I'm thinking either a beach cat or a laser. I will be sailing it in the ocean and bays, with a crew from 1-4 people. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks

Glad you found us and are considering a beachcat to get into sailing! We may be a little biased towards catamarans here though. 😀

Seriously, the Laser really is meant to be a solo sailor and since it is much more narrow than a catamaran and also a technical dinghy with lots of lines and cleats there is not much room for even small crew.

You mention 1-4 crew but not how big these crew would be, weight and size of the crew are very important considerations on which beachcat to choose.

Where are your Oceans and Bays located? There might be some local folks that could take you out for a test sail to get a feel for what you would like best.

I would be sailing in Massachusetts and of the coast of Maine. Would have probably two or three kids and an adult, which is why I was leaning towards a cat. I just am not sure which one would be best. Sometimes I might take it out single handed which would be important for weight distribution.

I also want something fast and just a lot of fun to be on!!!

I grew up on a Laser and a Hobie 16. For the H16, if you are talking about adults, I agree that one crew is the target, two crew is acceptable and not uncomfortable. For kids, it is about the same equation, just because you have to keep up with everyone. However, my family (father, mother, sister, and I) used to sail from James Island, out of Charleston harbor to the beaches on a Hobie 16. We had a great time. I recall my mother or father taking another adult and me for a sail, and that was off shore.

When I skippered, I usually had only one friend with me. However, we had enough beer and wine-coolers on board to equal another adult. We compensated by leaving behind all non-required-by-law safety gear. That was OK back then because I knew everything and the wind blew on-shore 😉 .

On the laser, I usually sailed by myself. I probably first went with a parent, but my memory does not reach back that far. I never hauled any gear with my Laser, but I have some co-workers with Lasers, and they go camping with theirs.

The above posts are correct. A Laser is a great boat, and easier to rig, but is limited in how much crew and gear can be stowed. I believe the cats can haul more crew than indicated in the previous posts, and I recognize you will go much faster with the target crew.

So definitely a cat but which one should I get?

mmcquade wrote: So definitely a cat but which one should I get?

What's the top of your budget?

Usually depends a lot on what you can find in your area. The easiest to find used catamaran is the Hobie 16 and it makes a fine first boat, with the added advantage that once you have some experience you can resell it for close (or more) than you paid for it.

mmcquade,

I am in Mass as well. I had the same dilemma. We sailed hobie16s for years, had kids, stopped sailing and now are back. My girls are now 15 and 18. Oh, and I have a 70lb dog. The 16 just doesn't do it for piling people, so I wanted more buoyancy. I looked at the Getaway, and although it is a great boat, I knew I would miss the performance of our old hobie. So I went looking for hobie18s, Prindle18s, and nacra 5.7s. I wanted something simple, fast and the ability to pile people. All fit the bill. I found a Prindle 18 last fall and had the chance to sail it a few times before it got too cold. Freakin' awesome boat! It can move. I had my dad and one of my kids on it and we practically had the boat vertical; it never skipped a beat, even with 550lbs on it. I was lucky though, they are hard to come by in New England. Where are you located in Mass? Pete

peterk123 wrote: mmcquade,

I am in Mass as well. I had the same dilemma. We sailed hobie16s for years, had kids, stopped sailing and now are back. My girls are now 15 and 18. Oh, and I have a 70lb dog. The 16 just doesn't do it for piling people, so I wanted more buoyancy. I looked at the Getaway, and although it is a great boat, I knew I would miss the performance of our old hobie. So I went looking for hobie18s, Prindle18s, and nacra 5.7s. I wanted something simple, fast and the ability to pile people. All fit the bill. I found a Prindle 18 last fall and had the chance to sail it a few times before it got too cold. Freakin' awesome boat! It can move. I had my dad and one of my kids on it and we practically had the boat vertical; it never skipped a beat, even with 550lbs on it. I was lucky though, they are hard to come by in New England. Where are you located in Mass? Pete

Were located north of Boston, and thats exactly what I want Ill have to take a look at those!!

The Hobie 21 Sport. Not the fastest catamaran but would work well for what you want to do. Don't confuse it with the Hobie 21 SE. I had a friend with the 21 Sport and it not only has the regular trampoline, it also has a tramp that goes from the front crossbar to the tips of the bows. There is a lot of room on this cat. It can be sailed with 2 and for those days you want to have 3-4 it will work. The extra weight will hurt your speed but it's all about getting out on the water and having a great day. We've taken his 21 Sport out with 3 crew when the winds hit 20-25, setting on the wings it's a fast, fun, and fairly dry ride. The 21 Sport is not a racing catamaran, it's built for families and fun while still giving a thrill. I suspect they might be hard to come-by. Not sure how many were made. No matter which catamaran you buy, you will have a blast!

There are a few Hobie 21 Sport videos on YouTube: Here is a link to one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIqAhV_ZEHA

mmcquade wrote: Would have probably two or three kids and an adult

I agree with others -- Getaway is your best bet. H21 SC would be way too much to handle for 1 adult + kids.

There is also a new boar from Hobie -- T2. It is quite like Getaway, but slicker and newer design cat. It lacks forward tramp and wings however.

But seriously -- you need 2 boats: a Laser for yourself and a Getaway for your family:-D

How do I transport the mast of any hobie cat? When I just looked at the 26' length I'm starting to wonder how that is possible

Easy, over the top of boat and car.

Edited by fxloop on Jan 28, 2014 - 11:11 AM.

mmcquade wrote: [quote=peterk123]mmcquade,

Were located north of Boston, and thats exactly what I want Ill have to take a look at those!!

We are in Central Mass. Check out Fleet 448. They are located in Rhode Island but it is a very active fleet and they welcome all cats. Awesome folks. You should bum a ride from some cat owners so you can feel the difference between a Getaway and the other beachcats. I think the Getaway is either a love or hate relationship. I was leaning towards one originally, until I sailed it. I'm not saying they are slow. They will smoke a monohull, but not nearly as nimble or stiff as the other cats out there. Pete

I was in the same position! I went with the getaway with wings. Why? 1: It did the trick to get everyone hooked on sailing! 2: It holds up to 6 (yes in low wind it does) 3: with 2 ppl. It flies a hull and traps (1 trap on getaway only but its still fun). 4:Out preforms almost any mono hull. 5:Very comfortable! We sailed over 40 miles (GPS) in Narragansett Bay last year and it was a comfortable trip sitting in the wing seats and also leaning against them as a back rest while sitting in the tramp. That distance on a hobie 16 would not be as easy on a bad back. 6: Forward tramp is great for kids to get wet. 7: I pulled my Wife in a Big Yak Ocean Kayak on a full plane at 15+mph (GPS)passing a fleet of racing Optis who cheered as we passed. 8: Style Everyone comments how great the getaway looks! If you still want performance racing, then you can always pick up a Laser or hohie 16 cheap next year!

I am also north of Boston in Dracut. If you have not decided yet, you can take a ride with me on my getaway (after ice out) and see for yourself how much fun a getaway can be. Once you get a cat you will not want to sail anything else but maybe a faster cat. lol When you get a boat I can show you a few great places to sail in our area. There are too many great places to sail within 2 hrs of Boston to list.... Enjoy, Paul

Thanks guys Im thinking of going with maybe a topaz 16 or the nacra 500 sport, or the nacra 16. Are these good boats to buy? Im looking for something that can do beach landings and take offs, two trapeze, and something that I can put a spinnaker if I grow into it.
Thanks for all the help.

Good luck which ever way you go...any day on the water on any craft is a good day

Cats are a ton of fun. I just got into them the last few years and it now consumes every weekend all summer long. Once you try it you're hooked!
Tim

Edited by fxloop on Jan 30, 2014 - 03:48 PM.

"Once you get a cat you will not want to sail anything else but maybe a faster cat. "
I looked into buying a mono-hull for a few years but am glad I eventually decided to go for a Prindle 19. I agree you definitely will get hooked. Even my teenage sons that got bored on mono-hulls want to sail on the P19....I say with a cat you definitely go for the most speed you can get for your budget..so for me a hybrid would not cut it...but that's just my bias...and I have yet to sail really fast on my P19...

"Once you get a cat you will not want to sail anything else but maybe a faster cat. "

I sailed my Hobie 16 for 3 years solo and with 1 or 2 on board while learning, Being 200# and having maxed out the 16 in 20+ MPH winds, I bought a Hobie Miracle 20 a few months ago….supposedly very powerful, looking forward to it!

EDIT... I picked up a righting bucket and full trap harness! I've seen vids of these 1up in 10 mph wind, 2up in 13! i'm not scared 👿

Edited by fxloop on Jan 31, 2014 - 06:17 PM.

marekli wrote: "Once you get a cat you will not want to sail anything else but maybe a faster cat. "
I looked into buying a mono-hull for a few years but am glad I eventually decided to go for a Prindle 19. I agree you definitely will get hooked. Even my teenage sons that got bored on mono-hulls want to sail on the P19....I say with a cat you definitely go for the most speed you can get for your budget..so for me a hybrid would not cut it...but that's just my bias...and I have yet to sail really fast on my P19...

There's a range of choices within monohulls and cats too, I would prefer by far a Laser II or 470 over a Getaway, for instance. Monohulls can be very fun, trapeze is much harder, planning is FUN and exiting, the feel of waves is different, etc.. They have a very different mystic, you can't compare them so lightly. Like you can't compare a motor boat with a cat. Speed is hardly the most important.

Edited by Andinista on Jan 31, 2014 - 09:08 AM.

huge upgrade! - enjoy

supposedly very powerful, looking forward to it!