New to cats. Prindle 16 or Mystere 5.0?

there is a dude on this site who loves Mystere boats. you will know when he posts. i love my prindle 16,bang for buck can't be beat. i'm 240ish and my crew is 260ish and it's no problem. naturaly its a choice of the best boat for price at this level

At your size, a Prindle 18 (not the 18-2) would be a little better. More hull volumn, but only 30 pounds heavier. Would be much better if you also want to include a few passengers.

Prindle 16 would be the better choice over the Mystere. Prindles, if well-kept, are rugged as hell, which is perfect for a new cat sailor. Prindle 18 may be a good choice, gives you more room to grow with one boat --- faster and more powerful. Nowhere near as cheap, but possibly the best boat for a new cat sailor would be the Hobie Getaway. Stable, rugged, and sort of fast. 🙂

Just be prepared to become addicted to the speed 😀

I agree. My first choice is the Getaway but used ones are very rare and expensive around here. I'd like to test the waters with a less expensive option first before I go that route. I'm a recreational sailor, not a racer, so simplicity and easy of set-up and operation would get the nod over performance. The boomless main on the Getaway is a nice feature and I was thinking that the Mystere might be boomless as well but haven't been able to verify that yet.

Definitely sounds like the Prindle 16/18 is the best option then. The Hobie 18 might be an option too, as they are more prevalent and cheap, but that cat is a little more complicated and rides the line as a relaxed boat/racer.

In the end, all these boats have massive performance relative to most sailboats, and therefore not necessarily simple to sail and operate as a new cat sailor. There is a learning curve, but it is a blast experiencing that curve.

All these older cats do have some problems you will want to look into when in the market for one. Delamination/softening of the fiberglass is a big problem. These cats can get soft or "spongy", which is very dangerous to sail with, and a PITA to fix. In general, steer clear of these boats.

Looks like I can get a good deal on a Mystere 5.0 in great shape. Wish I knew more about how it compares to the Prindle 16 in handling and payload. It does have the boomless main so that is a positive to me in terms of simplicity. I'm going to go inspecet it in a day or so then I will know better. Anybody know the market price for this boat and trailer, both in very good shape?

My two cents. I have a Prindle 18 and sail quite often with over 600 lbs in crew weight and never with less than about 400 lbs. The boats Handles it well. At 240 with a chance at more crew you can't go wrong with the P16 and you might consider a P18. I have yet to set it up solo but I rarely sail alone with the right setup to support and step the mast it can be done.

in texas you'd want to look try for a nacra 5.2 at the TCDYC

http://www.tcdyc.com/?q=node/387

There are 2 types of Mystere 5.0. I'm assuming you will be looking at a 5.0XL that has a skeg shaped hull and no centreboards (the boomless main indicated that that is probably the design). If it is the older version (with centreboards) than you are likely better off with the Prindle 16.

The Mystere 5.0xl, however is a REALLY nice boat and really fast. Nice modern wave piercing hull profile, high volume with boardless, skeg shaped rear and no boom (similar in shape and performance to a Nacra 5.0). If it is in good condition you really can't go wrong with one. Price really depends on how old it is. An early 90's model should go for under $2000. Later models and really good condition may go for more. They are still manufactured, but not very common.

If it is in good shape there is no reason not to go for it! The fact that is it boardless and boomless are huge pluses for a starting boat! Two less things to worry about!

Andrew Scott, where are you!? You've owned a Mystere forever and sailed the heck out of it. You must have some good advice!

hmmm, found a Mystere 5.0 on the TCDYC, a 1991 to be precise, and it looks good..

http://www.tcdyc.com/?q=node/485

If that's the one you are looking at, that is smokin'!!!! Definitely worth serious consideration!

I agree with Wolfman, if thats the Mystere, grab that boat as fast as possible. It looks great, has a galvanized trailer, mylar mainsail...perfect starter boat

that is one sweet 1300 dollar boat.

Starter boat nothing. I would take that as my main boat!

That is the one. I'm going to look at it as soon as the owner is available. I'm not familiar with the mylar sails. What are the pros and cons? He says it has a little delamination on the bottom edge of the sail but has lots of life left. Haven't seen it yet but is this a serious issue?

My other concern about this boat is whether there are parts availble for it. If anyone has insite on this let me know.

you can get the sail repaired professionaly probably local for a few bucks. look up the company on line and give them a call or e-mail and check out parts availability. thats a great looking 1300 dollar boat, definitely worth a second look. when you inspect it, poke and squeeze all around the hulls for soft spots, check out all standing rigging esp. where they connect(popped strands and rust at fittings). take some good pics of sail damage to show sail maker for repairs estimate. rig the boat fully while inspecting and bring grease gun for trailor wheels in case you drive it home. i love my p 16 and recommend them highly but i would definitely look hard at this boat!

For $1300...make sure it will sail, make sure there are no soft spots. I wouldn't worry about anything else.

Agreed, Mylar sails are great but not as durable as dacron they are lighter and don't stretch like dacron, those are cut radially also which is very nice. They are certainly worth more than dacron sails.

There aren't too many custom parts on a mystere except the hulls themselves and rudders. Try calling them, but be warned that they are located in quebec so you are likely to start with who speaks french and only a little english.

For $1300 it may be even be worth it if there is a little delam on top of the hulls and getting them repaired. Thats a really nice hull profile that is rare to find at that price.

D.

Mystere parts are available, however they will be expensive...like any other builder. 🙁
My suggestion is since you will be sailing your first cat, you won't be racing much and don't have to worry about class approved parts. Best thing you can do as a sailer is learn how to repair your boat yourself. Make your own new standing rigging, fiberglass repairs, ect. This makes sailing MUCH cheaper (so you can blow that money on $1000 mainsails 😀 )
Mylar sails are nice, just have to take care of them because mylar is famous for delaminating if stored wet, or left in the sun for a long time. The huge bonus to mylar is that the sail shape is much better, and stays that way. Doesnt stretch like dacron)

There are a lot of good technical forum posts on beachcats about do-it-yourself repairs.

Thanks for all the comments and advice. I'm feeling a lot more comfortable about it now. The owner has been out the past couple days so haven't been able to see it yet. Did verify via phone and pictures that is is boomless and does have the keel-shaped hulls (no boards). I was hoping Andrew Scott would comment before I went to see it as I understand that he has a lot of Mystere experience. Will try to see it tomorrow.

Ok, i am here.. sorry i missed this thread... been kinda busy here...

Mystere's are a good balance of more modern design, without the 15K price tag of a new boat. The hull volume lets your drive so hard... you can bury the bows underwater... to the beam and still not pitchpole... they have large powerful sails... and like to go fast bur also allow nice mellow sailing when you have the girlfriend out.

they are very well balanced and i can fly a hull for miles in 10-12knots of wind...

5.0 xls are wider than the non xL's and have a taller mast (i think).

Prindles are robust and easy cats. Parts are more available than mysteres.. but i wouldn't trade my mystere for all the Tea in China.

Mylar sails will delaminate.. but you can repair and get a season out of them if they aren't shot. All of us here use used Tornado sails on our Mysteres (5.5's and 6.0s) and i am on my 2nd in 2 years. But i get over 100 sails out of each one.

Mystere parts are available from canada, but most can be replaced or refitted... as mentioned the rudder castings are the most likely serious parts to break. I broke my first set and had to get them welded. I purchased a complete spare set for $200 (rudders, castings, misc spare parts).

Feel free to PM with any specific questions

edited by: andrewscott, Feb 16, 2010 - 11:40 AM

Andrew,

Glad to hear from you before I meet the owner. I may take you up on the PM offer for more specifics once I see and inspect the boat. I think this boat has many features that fit my need so unless I find something with the condition that makes me nervous I'll probably give it go. Thanks for the info.

haha,.., you already have the mystere in your signature... 🙂

fun2themax wrote: Andrew,
Glad to hear from you ...
--
F-Max
Mystere 5.0
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edited by: andrewscott, Feb 16, 2010 - 11:28 PM

Yes, I finally got to see the boat this evening and I liked what I saw so now I am the proud owner of my first cat, a Mystere 5.0. Thanks to all of you for your input and advice. Andrew, I'm hoping to tap you for some Mystere specific info in the near future. Now to find some time to get everything checked out, tuned up, and cleaned up and to get myself up to speed on how to sail this baby. Guess I should start another post for all those questions! Thanks again.

Congrats!

man that looks like a sweet deal! you could not have done any better for the buck! now you find someone to repair those sails(few bucks) and rig that puppy in the front yard a few times to get to know it! welcome to the speed addiction support group!

Andrew, I'm hoping to tap you

DONT EVER WRITE THAT PHRASE AGAIN! haha

congrats... feel free to ask away.

I'll be more careful with my wording next time :-), but I'm counting on you being a Mystere expert. I'll PM you with some rigging/set-up question once I get organized.