Clueless Noob w/ Prindle 16 In Panama City Fl.

Welcome aboard, you are in a great area and have a great boat. I'm 2 hours east of you but ply the PC area every so often, I am happy to help if I can. Specifically what are your rigging hang ups? Get some sail repair tape on the tears while you are still learning(West Marine on 23rd has it)If you decide its for you CB sails is in PC to get you fixed up. Not sure where you have been launching but lake Powell would be great for learning, nothing really to go wrong other than drift to shore and walk back to the car. The bays are great as well. If you want to come over to the big bend area I'd be happy to show you what I know on my Hobie 16. Happy to help in PC as well but not over there as often. You're in prime beachcat territory so I am sure there is help near by.

Edited by jalex on Apr 24, 2016 - 09:46 PM.

Thanks jalex. Good tip on CB Sails, they fixed my jib zipper already, and recommended a patch (that I forgot when I picked up the jib). If I don't not find some help soon I may head your way. What do you know about Prindles?

They are great boats, you made a good choice.

P16 is a good boat, there's a Prindle FB group that might be worthwhile joining for you and maybe a few cat sailing lessons or maybe a primer on a dinghy sailing would bring you up to speed a bit faster. Rick White published a DVD and a few books on cat sailing that you can pick up on Amazon or at his online store for a few bucks.

dredman wrote: now think it is 98% there, but not sure. ..

What is the 2% you aren't sure of?

Don't know if it's any better than the one you have but there is a Prindle assembly manual here, just click on "Download Document" to get the pdf.
http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures?g2_itemId=118891&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

There are also a tremendous amount of Prindle 16 pictures and tips in the "Beachcat Technical" section of the Photo Albums.
http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures?g2_itemId=10570

Or you can go to the main photo albums page http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures , click on "Search All Albums" type Prindle 16 into the search box and only check Titles for searching.

Ask specific questions, there are a lot of Prindle 16 sailors and former Prindle 16 sailors here.

One common issue is how to rig the trapeze, here is a diagram.

Dredman I have a Prindle 18 which is a very similar boat. What are you having trouble with? Would be glad to help online but I am in Annapolis and unfortunately no planning any trips to Florida.

marekli wrote: P16 is a good boat, there's a Prindle FB group that might be worthwhile joining for you and maybe a few cat sailing lessons or maybe a primer on a dinghy sailing would bring you up to speed a bit faster. Rick White published a DVD and a few books on cat sailing that you can pick up on Amazon or at his online store for a few bucks.

Thanks, I am not really afraid of sailing, I think I can master that fairly quickly. What I am clueless about is the rigging. I think I may be the only guy that has ever bought a sailboat, having never sailed?

DamonLinkous wrote: [quote=dredman] now think it is 98% there, but not sure. ..

What is the 2% you aren't sure of?

Don't know if it's any better than the one you have but there is a Prindle assembly manual here, just click on "Download Document" to get the pdf.
http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures?g2_itemId=118891&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

Thanks Damon, I do have the Prindle manual, I think I got it here? It may be helpful for someone who has sailed before, but the info I have seen here is MUCH better than the manual, and I am clueless.

Rigged the trampoline weeks ago, thanks to a wonderful video made by the guys who made the tramp

I will make the list of problem areas in the morning, just wanted to reply quickly.

Mostly ropes, shackles, etc. I don't really know what I don't know, but I will make the list in the morning when I can see - thanks again!!

dredman wrote:

Mostly ropes, shackles, etc. I don't really know what I don't know, but I will make the list in the morning when I can see - thanks again!!

Don't feel bad, you really aren't the first to buy a sailboat without ever having seen one rigged. It's more common that you would think, and it makes the learning curve extremely steep. 😎

If you could get one hour with an experienced beachcat sailor it would save you tons of time and make you feel better about the whole thing.

Helping people get into the sport is a big part of the purpose of TheBeachcats.com, so ask your questions.

If you could get one hour with an experienced beachcat sailor it would save you tons of time and make you feel better about the whole thing.

Actually, if I could spend 10 MINUTES looking at a setup boat, I could probably be on the water this week? Spending some time with an actual sailor would be a huge bonus.

OK, let's start with the Jib

The Jib
Looks like I have some of the rigging, rope(jib halyard) looks too short to reach up the mast and back down.
- How long should the jib halyard be?
- Does the rope feed thru the pigtail, or a pulley attached, or something else?
- Where is the cleat on Jib Tack?

Enough questions to start? More cluelessness to come, I promise!

Something that has worked for me is to go to youtube and search your boat. Many times you can stop the action and grab some useful info in hi def.

dredman wrote: The Jib
Looks like I have some of the rigging, rope(jib halyard) looks too short to reach up the mast and back down.
1 How long should the jib halyard be?
2 Does the rope feed thru the pigtail, or a pulley attached, or something else?
3 Where is the cleat on Jib Tack?

Answers
1 You will need about 34' of 1/8 or 3/16 line with sister clips, S hook and halyard shackle. (Pete Begle)
2 The jib halyard starts at the top of the jib, follows the forestay from the bridles up through the welded ring in the cable thimble up to the second thimble in the cable, then turns back down to the top of the jib where it is zipped into the luff as you hoist the sail.
3 There should be a plastic cleat for the jib downhaul riveted to the jib near the foot.

Edited by klozhald on Apr 26, 2016 - 09:50 PM.

Have a new Prindle jib halyard with sister clips ready to ship. $25 plus $8 shipping. If you don't have the plastic cleat on jib tack, just tie it to bridle. Pete 909-800-5237

mhirte wrote:
go to youtube and search your boat

How do you think I got the trampoline on? 🙂

klozhald wrote:
1 You will need about 34' of 1/8 or 3/16 line with sister clips, S hook and halyard shackle. (Pete Begle)

Looks like about 10' - I figured it was no where near enough
S hook - CHECK!
halyard shackle - CHECK!
sister clips - Nope - calling Pete tomorrow 🙂

klozhald wrote:
2 The jib halyard starts at the top of the jib, follows the forestay from the bridles up through the welded ring in the cable thimble up to the second thimble in the cable, then turns back down to the top of the jib where it is zipped into the luff as you hoist the sail.

So does the halyard simply run thru the 2nd thimble? No pulleys or shackles?

klozhald wrote:
3 There should be a plastic cleat for the jib downhaul riveted to the jib near the foot.Edited by klozhald on Apr 26, 2016 - 09:50 PM.

plastic cleat for the jib - CHECK !!

I feel like I am making great progress.

Edited by dredman on Apr 27, 2016 - 01:47 AM.

Hey Don, I sent you a PM with my number. I live in Panama City as well and would be happy to help

awesome

Clueless Noob

Thanks, I am not really afraid of sailing, I think I can master that fairly quickly.

If you could get one hour with an experienced beachcat sailor it would save you tons of time and make you feel better about the whole thing.

Actually, if I could spend 10 MINUTES looking at a setup boat,

hmmmm - this is screaming of headlines:
"Capsized Catamaran found upside down, skipper found clinging to cooler"

I would recommend a lesson with a pro, will save you 100's of hours in the long run
I can recommend a few if you want

MN3 wrote:
hmmmm - this is screaming of headlines:
"Capsized Catamaran found upside down, skipper found clinging to cooler"

Been joking about being in the news for a few weeks. Luckily I am a decent swimmer 🙂

MN3 wrote:
I would recommend a lesson with a pro, will save you 100's of hours in the long run
I can recommend a few if you want

I am prepared to go the pro-route if I do not catch on quickly

I have only taken 1 catamaran lesson myself 16 years ago when i bought my first cat, a h16 (and the guy was terrible)
I could use a lesson myself...

Even pro sailors and Olympians get training- and if the coach is good, it is always worth it, at any skill level.

there is nothing like having someone (who knows what they are talking about) behind you on a powerboat telling you on the fly adjustments and then post sail reviews and critiques.

that being said, go have fun!
just don't be hazardous to yourself and consider who will have to save you if (when) you are capsized and can't right your cat

dredman wrote: [quote=MN3]
hmmmm - this is screaming of headlines:
"Capsized Catamaran found upside down, skipper found clinging to cooler"

Been joking about being in the news for a few weeks. Luckily I am a decent swimmer 🙂

MN3 wrote:
I would recommend a lesson with a pro, will save you 100's of hours in the long run
I can recommend a few if you want

I am prepared to go the pro-route if I do not catch on quickly

Well the pro showed up on my doorstep tonight. Weirdest thing ever, he knew exactly where I lived as his did is my closest neighbor (100 yards away). He not only setup my boat, he told me exactly what I was missing, where to get it, how to set up and takedown. He also probably saved my life, as my stays were loose enough to kill me by dropping the mast on my head - but how was I to know?

He also hinted about about sailing this weekend, which would be about as awesome as it gets.

Thanks to Kyle(lostnmymind ) for his time, getting me almost straight(I was very upside down), and giving me enough confidence to get out on the water (after I gather the missing components) - this was a HUGE day !!

MN3 wrote: "Capsized Catamaran found upside down, skipper found clinging to cooler"

Many of us have found that clinging to the cooler is easier if the cooler seals well. Duct tape is fair, but 3M Weatherstrip Adhesive works best. I have seen a stadium seat bolted to the cooler lid, but that seems a luxury few of us can afford from an acrobatic standpoint. Seems like there should also be handles and a seatbelt. A telescoping trident is nice to fend off sharks, especially if you are cooling their favorite beer below your seat. While Bull Sharks prefer Pacifico, Corona seems to repel them all. Some folks worry about carrying radios and heavy signal devices, but I prefer to spend the weight on sunscreen, a sun hat and the aforementioned beers. Those last three items can get you clear through a day of drifting toward shore with a minimum of effort.
For the record, I speak in jest, but sharks do turn up their noses at Corona. 🙂

dredman wrote:
Thanks to Kyle(lostnmymind ) for his time, getting me almost straight(I was very upside down), and giving me enough confidence to get out on the water (after I gather the missing components) - this was a HUGE day !!

That's great! Way to go Kyle, that's how you grow the sport.

Don, be sure and report back after sailing a bit.

So I took the boat out Saturday. Of course it took me 2 hours to rig it up, as it was the first time I rigged it completely, AND put the boat in the water. I also had forgotten many of the things Kyle taught me days before(he showed me quite a bit, and my memory sux). After rigging it up, I sat n the beach, reading the manual, trying to muster the courage to get on the boat, with having only a small clue about sailing.

Like rigging the boat, I really needed find out WHAT I DID NOT KNOW before I could really start learning. That is how I learn.

So I sucked it up, and jumped on.

Man, I really don't know anything!

Now at least, I know what I don't know.

Here is a short record.
(NSW - please excuse the profanity - I cuss a lot when I am excited.)

https://vimeo.com/164949920

Edited by dredman on May 02, 2016 - 08:46 AM.

I loved the video. It gets faster to rig over time, but finding somewhere to store the boat with the mast up will save you a load of time.

With practice setup can be well under an hour, approaching half an hour if you have regular crew to help. Glad you got it out, the first few times are always a challenge.

Don, Glad to see you got out and looked like you had a good time. Would highly recommend getting some experience in righting the catamaran before it happens by accident. First, when the mast is down inspect it for any holes and seal them with marine sealent or waterproof silicone caulk. Also seal any rivets. You do not want to get water in the mast as this will make it difficult or impossible to right the cat. I would get someone else to go out with you (preferably someone with experience in righting a catamaran) and in shallow water intentionally flip the cat and practice righting it. You should have a righting line preferably with knots in it to increase your grip. When you right the cat make sure that you right it with the hulls into the wind and make sure you uncleat the main and jib. Make sure that you hang onto something as the cat can get away from you when its back upright or even when tipped over. Once you feel comfortable doing this in shallow water near shore, while you still have someone with you, try righting it in deep water. You should be able to right the P-16 by yourself as you appear to have enough weight to do this. No matter how careful you are, there will be a time when the cat flips and having experience with righting it in a controlled situation will be invaluable. Have fun but be safe.

Good job.
I thought you were going to jump in without a PFD, but later footage looks like you have one on. DON'T EVER GO WITHOUT ONE! AND WEAR IT!
When new, it is very easy to flip that boat & get cracked on the noggin, & you would not be the first to perish.
At 2:55 the jib was flogging, but i see later you tightened the sheet.
I couldn't tell if your sandals were strapped to the boat. If left loose on the tramp, they WILL disappear. Guaranteed! So will anything else left loose.
Pickup a copy of Bermans Catamaran Sailing start to Finish. Or get out wiht some other Cat people in your area. You will learn in 2 days what it will take 2 years of trial & error plus $$$ to figure out.

All great tips, thanks guys. I am still looking for folks to sail with. Made a connection with a Cat-guy in the bay as we were both leaving, but he was full of advice like "When overturned, right your boat with the sail to the wind, to help you right the boat" I asked, "are you sure it is not bow to the wind?" He responded "nope - sail to the wind, else, how would you right the boat?"

Finally I asked, "How long have you been sailing?" and "Have you ever used that procedure?" "Not long, and no" were his answers. He seemed like a nice guy tho 🙂

Don in my experience sail to the wind righting can be problematic. The wind can get under the sail and help lift the sail but it also can cause it to overturn the boat to the opposite side. Also more chance of cat catching some wind and possibly getting away without you on it. I prefer to right with bows into the wind.