Getting back on the water soon!

If you don't mind keeping up an older cat, there are Nacra, Hobie and Prindle beachcats in the 18 foot range that are ocean worthy and relatively inexpensive. Make sure you can right the cat with your crew- there is little help available in the ocean as compared to the lake.
The cost of a new cat is easily ten times that of an older beachcat, though if you can afford a used F16 (don't be put off by the smaller size, they are rockets!) it will provide all the adrenaline you can muster. Set your price range and start shopping.

(you don't have to know much to sail on a lake)

sorry, but i simply have to disagree......... :teacher:

How much are you looking to spend?
Will you be solo or crewed? Any racing in your future?
Had I been rich and famous I would have looked at a new Nacra 570. I'm poor so I went old.
Good luck in your search!

now I'm looking at ocean sailing

just not sure the Hobie AI would fit the bill

IMHO AI/TA is not really an ocean boat. They are not made to survive a heavy surf. It's a great multihull starter boat for a lake with variable/light winds. The fins are very efficient and handy if the wind dies.

Have you considered Hobie 16 or 18?

arch wrote:

(you don't have to know much to sail on a lake)

sorry, but i simply have to disagree......... :teacher:

Agreed. As a lake sailor, I love a chance to sail near the coast where the wind is usually much less variable than on a lake. All the lake sailors here have had with to deal with 180 degree wind shifts in addition to wind speed changes like screaming across the lake one minute followed by rowing to the ramp the next. Sailing a lake takes practice to figure out where you are trying to go while accounting for 90 degree or greater wind shifts and significant wind speed changes. Additionally, lakes are so low right now, sailing with any speed can be scary with uncharted underwater obstacles now much closer to the surface, waiting to rip out an unsuspecting sailor's transom. Been months since I have sailed because of lake levels here. Hopefully the lakes will get filled up again this winter. Overall, I find lake sailing much more challenging, and less fun than coastal.

I didnt mean to insult anyone - the lakes I sailed on in California had steady wind direction so they weren't challenging. The only lake I ever found challenging was Lake Mojave in AZ and that because the wind did change up a lot when near shores.

I anticipate sailing with a crew most of the time so I'm looking towards an 18' and would like to stay in the $8000 range if possible. From research I've been doing, it seems getting a cat with a dagger board would be a wise decision.

I do plan on taking a couple of lessons before putting the cat I get on the ocean. I definitely don't want to get in trouble out there and don't consider soloing my 18' Solcat on the lakes I was on adequate preparation for ocean sailing. I'd like to be able to go solo, but getting the mast up alone is a problem.

So far, I'm liking what I read about Hobie Wild Cats and the Nacra family - but not sure what Nacra. And, I have to take into consideration that I may be asked to go out with 3 adults and one child on occasion (but don't tell me to get a Getaway - that is NOT the boat I want)! I never cared for the Hobie 16 hull shape so that one is out as well.

Hobie 18 is cheap, durable, and buoyant. I doubt a wildcat fits your needs, although it is certainly a sexy boat (i've not sailed one.) A supercat 20 might be a better fit?

At 500 lbs with a 2-3 hour set-up, I just don't see it.

Are there any comparison charts out there for set-up times on the various makes of beach cats? That is something I'll have to consider as I won't be able to leave the cat docked anywhere.

Are there any comparison charts out there for set-up times on the various makes of beach cats?

Janet,

To my best knowledge, there are no such tables.

This is what I've compiled based on mine and others experience. These are trailer to water time (very approximate) estimates assuming good rigging proficiently, but without an exceptional rush.

1. Hobie Bravo, AI -- 15 min
2. Hobie Wave, TI-- 25 min
3. Hobie 17 SE, Hobie 14 -- 40 min
4. Gateway-- 45 min
5. Hobie 16 and Hobie 17 sport-- 55 min
6. Hobie 18 -- 1h
7. Hobie 20, 21, etc -- 1.5 h

Again, there are very rough estimates -- just to give you idea.

Are you going solo or with a crew?