Which singlehanded cat for lightwind sailing.

Jan, you have the advantage of windsurfing so you know how wind operates on a sailing vehicle, so really then just depends on whats available in your area. There is another sailor, catmodding who is from your area, if you can contact him its always good to get TOW, time on water. You want to start out with something in the 16ft range and practice righting technique untill its second nature, when you go to the 18ft boats you then require a righting bag to assist righting the boat when sailing solo. And with lake sailing you will be dealing with swirling winds that change direction and velocity constantly, keep us informed.

Welcome
Renovator

Hands downh, the Prindle 16. Pete

Prindle 16, Hobie 16, Nacra 5.0, Hobie 17 (the H-17 is only good for single), They are all great boats.

i found soloing a nacra 5.2 on a smallish lake an easy and safe way to fly

an old A-cat would be even better

the epic I think would be an A cat... lightweight... like smooth water... all about finesse... very simple clean boat... but expensive compared to a 5.2 or Prindle 16... guessing a cheap A cat would still run 4 or 5$K... but so worth it... maybe start w/a P16 or other...?

I found a Nacra 5,5 here but it's to heavy 170 kg I think....

Hi Jan,

I solo a prindle 18-2, but I am a heavy weight 🙂 . Where are you ? When you
are near the markermeer, Warder,The Netherlands. I can show you around our little
club and take you out for a sail in a couple of weeks, its to cold now.
At the club there are several types of catamarans, all privately owned, but you are
welcome to have a look at them and maybe sail some of them.

janb wrote: I found a Nacra 5,5 here but it's to heavy 170 kg I think....

A P 18-2 is less in weight, so I doubt a 5.5 is heavier. Anyway let me know if
you are interested in a tour at our club.
And yes.. a surfing history is definitely a plus...

Grtz André

catmodding wrote: Hi Jan,

I solo a prindle 18-2, but I am a heavy weight 🙂 . Where are you ? When you
are near the markermeer, Warder,The Netherlands. I can show you around our little
club and take you out for a sail in a couple of weeks, its to cold now.
At the club there are several types of catamarans, all privately owned, but you are
welcome to have a look at them and maybe sail some of them.

[quote=janb]I found a Nacra 5,5 here but it's to heavy 170 kg I think....

A P 18-2 is less in weight, so I doubt a 5.5 is heavier. Anyway let me know if
you are interested in a tour at our club.
And yes.. a surfing history is definitely a plus...

Grtz André

Thank you André
I'am 84 kg, and I'am Danish and living in Poland on the border to Germany, 60 km from a big lake called Berzdorfer See and 40 km from the polish lake Mietkow where I windsurf. I think the two best cat for my use on a lake not open see is the Prindle 16 and the Nacra 5,5. What do you think of those two?.

Edited by janb on Apr 14, 2014 - 04:13 PM.

robpatt wrote: the epic I think would be an A cat... lightweight... like smooth water... all about finesse... very simple clean boat... but expensive compared to a 5.2 or Prindle 16... guessing a cheap A cat would still run 4 or 5$K... but so worth it... maybe start w/a P16 or other...?

I think the Prindle 16 would be a nice and cheap cat to start learning Cat sailling on the local lake in lightwind, then next year i could buy me a used A-Cat.

Jan,

If you sail solo all the time, the P16 seems the way to go. Simple,
no daggerboards, fun.
A beach-cat in the true sense.
Remember with 84 Kg there's not much margin to take friends for a sail.

The N 5.5 is more of an older racer type catamaran, more speed,
daggerboards, more tuning possibilities and a little harder to handle solo.
But more thrill !!
Given the fact you did windsurfing for 20 years and you are sailing in moderate
wind-conditions I reccomend the 5.5 as the boat for you.
When its really blowing strong, you always have the opportunity to take a friend
out on the wire 🙂

Edit:
Just make sure you can right the 5.5 solo, if not, buy a righting-bag, and
sail with the appropriate safety-gear. Cellphone, flares, gps, pdf, etc etc

Shame we live 850 Km apart... ( sorry Renovator ) would have liked to show you around
the small cat club here.

Grtz, André

Edited by catmodding on Apr 14, 2014 - 05:36 PM.

The 5.5 Uni drives like a dump truck with two on the boat and no jib, especially in heavy air and waves.

Buy the 5.5 sloop vs the 5.5 uni if you ever want to sail with crew.

nacra55 wrote: The 5.5 Uni drives like a dump truck with two on the boat and no jib, especially in heavy air and waves.

Buy the 5.5 sloop vs the 5.5 uni if you ever want to sail with crew.

We are talking about the N 5.5 sloop, never have seen a N 5.5 uni for sale
in Europe, lots of 18sqm though.. No offense btw

André

Here are the polish page with pictures of the Nacra 5.5 can you see what it is, a slope or uni?
http://www.dobrewiatry.pl/na-zaglach/katamaran-nacra-55-genaker-przczepa/

Jan,

That's a slope,it has a fok (jib) and with a little help from a translation-site, I understand it has
a spinakker setup as well , and a very good price. Just make shure you get the beach-wheels
with it. Apart from the road-trailer.
Pictures are looking good.

Grtz, André

Here are the polish page with pictures of the Nacra 5.5 can you see what it is, a slope or uni?
http://www.dobrewiatry.pl/na-zaglach/katamaran-nacra-55-genaker-przczepa/

That's a 5.8 original in the picture, not a 5.5 sloop. See the 5.8 on the sail. Having a jib makes it a sloop vs just the main (uni). Also, if it was a 5.5 SL or 5.8 NA it would have a bridle foil.

Edited by nacra55 on Apr 14, 2014 - 12:21 PM.

nacra55 wrote:

Here are the polish page with pictures of the Nacra 5.5 can you see what it is, a slope or uni?
http://www.dobrewiatry.pl/na-zaglach/katamaran-nacra-55-genaker-przczepa/

That's a 5.8 original in the picture, not a 5.5 sloop. See the 5.8 on the sail. Having a jib makes it a sloop vs just the main (uni). Also, if it was a 5.5 SL or 5.8 NA it would have a bridle foil.Edited by nacra55 on Apr 14, 2014 - 12:21 PM.

Ok
If we can belive the pictures and the number on the sail, it's a Nacra 5.8 and not a 5.5 but is the 5.8 a cat to sail alone or do I then need crew. I wanted a cat to sail alone and in ligth wind on a lake, I don't sail on the ocean because it's 500 km away from where I liveand the roads are shit here in Poland, and I don't want sail with a crew I will have the freedom to sail here and now if I wan't to.

In my opinion, the Nacra 5.8 is not a solo boat and not for you. Look at the P16.

Jan,

Buy the 5.8, learn how to right it and have fun.

Grtz, André

Darts are plentiful in Europe. Up to 4 months ago I would have ageed with prior response Prindle16 "hands down" But this February brought 1 iof my dart 18s to Florida and sailed it on a 685 acre lake and I came to appreciate lake sailing and the sudden gusts and shifts one has little or no time "to read". Dart 18s are very light less than 200lbs! They are designed for high wind but turned out to be superior to a hobie16 that already was on the lake I sailed. In truth the dart 18 does not come into its own until winds exceed 18 knots. But my dart outperformed all other admit tingly smaller cats on the lake. I follow dart 18 prices in Europe and believe that price wise coupeled with future probable use in larger venues (dart disassembles with ease)by an experienced board sailor expecting hi performance leaves little issue as to best choice, ps I still have my 5.7 nacre.ahobie 16 and Prindle16. Lost my 5.2 to "sandy" and love them all but dart18best choice in Northern Europe

nacra55 wrote: In my opinion, the Nacra 5.8 is not a solo boat and not for you. Look at the P16.

If I would try to sail the Nacra 5.8 single handed in 8 to 15 knot winds, is that impossible with my 84 kg ?

Edited by janb on Apr 14, 2014 - 09:39 PM.

I have been sitting now for 30 minuts and looking on the picture of the Nacra 5,8 on the beach that are for saile in Poland and then looking on the picture of the hulls only I don't think the hulls belongs to the Nacra 5.8 on the beach picture.....Or should I go to bed now and sleep 🙂

Where on the hull can I see if it's a 5.5 or a 5.8

http://www.dobrewiatry.pl/na-zaglach/katamaran-nacra-55-genaker-przczepa/

Edited by janb on Apr 14, 2014 - 10:00 PM.

Hi Jan, jak leci,

janb wrote: If I would try to sail the Nacra 5.8 single handed in 8 to 15 knot winds, is that impossible with my 84 kg ?

There is a couple issues with single handling a bigger cat, such as N5.8,

1. Ability to right the boat. It is not impossible with an aid of a righting pole or a bag (or both), but you will also need this skill, which you still need to acquire. As a beginner, you will not be able to right an N5.8, IMHO.

2. You may be Ok in a wind close to 8 knots (at 84 kg = 185lb), but close to 15 kts you will get overpowered. There are people at this forum who have been sailing cats for 10-20 years, and would tell you otherwise. Don't listen to those (awesome) sailors. They just can't remember how it is to be a beginner 😉

Here is my list for you
1. Hobie 16 or P16. Both are rugged, simple to rig and sail, and should be available. Here in N. America H16 is by far the most popular cat.
2. Hobie 17 if you can find one. More complex than H16, but designed as single sailor cat.
3. N5.0 or N500 if you can afford it. I consider N500 an ideal recreations/performance cat
5. A-cat would be ideal as a performance single handler, but I would not recommend as a first cat. Just to expensive and delicate.
6. Lastly there are plastic Hobies, the Wave and Tatoo (or T2). The Wave is among the slowest of the cats, but it is very simple, quick to rig, and virtually indestructible. Great boat to learn cat sailing and then sell it and move on to "real" cats.

Good luck and keep us posted 😀

Oh yeah, we like pictures...

Edited by jackb on Apr 14, 2014 - 09:29 PM.

jackb wrote: Hi Jan, jak leci,

[quote=janb]If I would try to sail the Nacra 5.8 single handed in 8 to 15 knot winds, is that impossible with my 84 kg ?

There is a couple issues with single handling a bigger cat, such as N5.8,

1. Ability to right the boat. It is not impossible with an aid of a righting pole or a bag (or both), but you will also need this skill, which you still need to acquire. As a beginner, you will not be able to right an N5.8, IMHO.

2. You may be Ok in a wind close to 8 knots (at 84 kg = 185lb), but close to 15 kts you will get overpowered. There are people at this forum who have been sailing cats for 10-20 years, and would tell you otherwise. Don't listen to those (awesome) sailors. They just can't remember how it is to be a beginner 😉

Here is my list for you
1. Hobie 16 for P16. Both are rugged, simple to rig and sail, and should be available. Here in N. America H16 is by far the most popular cat.
2. Hobie 17 if you can find one. More complex than H16, but designed as single sailor cat.
3. N5.0 or N500 if you can afford it. I consider N500 an ideal recreations/performance cat
5. A-cat would be ideal as a performance single handler, but I would not recommend as a first cat. Just to expensive and delicate.
6. Lastly there are plastic Hobies, the Wave and Tatoo (or T2). The Wave is among the slowest of the cats, but it is very simple, quick to rig, and virtually indestructible. Great boat to learn cat sailing and then sell it and move on to "real" cats.

Good luck and keep us posted 😀

Oh yeah, we like pictures...

Hello Jack
I'am aware of the problem about the ability to right the cat alone, but as you write a righting pole and bags are the solution for this problem. The problem with getting overpowered is also a consern that I have because it's 23 m2 and only me if the wind pick up.
About the Hobie cat I have read that they have very low-volume hulls means they are sinky and prone to nose diving, have you had the same experience?
Nacra cat and Prindle 16 is in my book as nice sailing cats for my lightwind lake, I have to find some infos on the Dart 18 maybe that's nice sailing cat too. But the A-cat is to expensive to start with and the plastic cat is not my thing, I think after one month it would bore me.

Ps. Jack you speak polish ?

Jan

Edited by janb on Apr 15, 2014 - 06:07 AM.

back by the right rear beam strap

there should be a hull number molded into the side of the hull

if it's an early 80's 5.8 it will start with TRRA.......

late 80's 5.8 will start with NACD........

if it's an early 80's 5.5 the hull number will start with TRR? (i don't know)

late 80's 5.8 the hull number will start with NACH........

the full cheap and dirty nacra number list below

Santa Ann, California factory - solid glass hulls with visible seam along top of hulls and stringers visible through inspection ports, hull number on rear of right hull

1975 TRRA02130675 alphacat 18' sail#213 

1982 TRRA0123M82J 5.8
1983 TRRA021M83E
1983 TRRA0230M83D 5.8

TRRB - maybe 1 of the smaller alphacats or R36?

1976 TRRC00900276 5.2
1976 TRRC02870676 5.2
1980 TRRC1430M80C 5.2
1980 TRRC1549M806 5.2 matching sail number
1981 TRRC1906M81H 5.2 Florida $700
1982 TTRC2094M82A 5.2
1982 TRRC2158M82B 5.2 Japan
1982 TRRC2195M82C 5.2 
1982 TRRC2307M82E 5.2
1982 TRRC2321M82F 5.2 
1984 TRRC2370M84B 5.2
1984 TRRC2435M84A 5.2

TRRD?

1979 TRRE0034M79l 18sq 17'
1980 TRRE0073V80G 18sq 17' forestay chainplates outside of hull
1982 TRRE0174M82G 18sq

TRRF?
TRRG?
TRRH?

1983 TRRJ0071M83E 5.0

1985 TRRK0001M85A 18sq? 18'

1984 TRRL0195M84G 5.7
1984 TRRL0227M84H 5.7

Move to Woodland hill, California factory - thicker foam sandwich hulls, no seams on outside or internal stringers visible through inspection ports - hull number under right rear beam?

1987 NACA2030A787 5.0
1988 NACA2180G788 5.0

1987 NACB3026I687 5.2 
1986 NACR3002J586 5.2 maybe that R should be B?
1990 NACB3080E090 5.2 Japan
1991 NACB3091K091 5.2 Japan

1986 NACC0351J586 5.7

1986 NACD0869K586 5.8
1987 NACD0979 A787 5.8
1989 NACD1186C989 5.8
1992 NACD1322F192 5.8

2008 NACE00051708 SL16

NACF

1988 NACG0032F888 6.0
1994 NACG0235E394 6.0

1992 NACH0323F192 5.5sl
1993 NACH0424B393 5.5uni
1999 NACH0608C999 5.5uni

2004 NACI03026304 500

2003 NACM039711032 Inter 18

2000 NACR0034E900 I-17
2001 NACR0041E900 I-17 carbon mast
2001 NACR009F001 F17 carbon mast
2002 NACR0131D02 F17 carbon mast
2002 NACR0132D202 F17 Inter 17 R
2007 NACR0143A204 F17 carbon mast
2005 NACR0152G405 Inter 17R

2001 NACT0292J001 Inter 20
2004 NACT0400C204 Inter20
2004 NACT0412I304 20
2005 NACT0392J105 20

2006 NACY0056F606 F18 Infusion
2007 NACY0077G607 F18 Infusion
2007 NACY0080G607 F18 Infusion

if it IS a 5.5 it SHOULD be as easy to solo as the 5.2 as the 5.5 was SUPPOSED to be the replacement for the 5.2 and the factory claimed it was lighter and slightly wider

some solo 5.2 videos

uni rigged

http://vimeo.com/5075989

but it can be a handful

http://vimeo.com/46683503

with jib

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j55lMDEBmP8

I wrote the seller of the Nacra here in Poland yesterday and he wrote back today that the Nacra on the picture with 5.8 sail, is a Nacra 6.0 cat with a 5.8 sail. So it's NOT the origanal sail on the Nacra 6.0, but he has a Nacra 5.5 cat for sale I just don't know jet what he want for that.

Edited by janb on Apr 15, 2014 - 11:20 AM.

Does the Nacra 5.5 have any weaknesses, that I should be aware of ?

A Nacra 5.0 or 500 is perfect for on up sailing

Regards, Mack

if you're in Europe you've got all kinds of awesome choices... but for lakes, and towing/fuel economy, and awesome boat design, style, speed, lightweight, modern-ness and simple design perfection... again, check out the A cat. 🙂 If you're a bit big for that boat... get a modren 16 footer that you can drive hard even in big wind... nothing is more disappointing than having to depower when you really want to go faster. Get something you can max out!

nofearofflying wrote: Darts are plentiful in Europe. Up to 4 months ago I would have ageed with prior response Prindle16 "hands down" But this February brought 1 iof my dart 18s to Florida and sailed it on a 685 acre lake and I came to appreciate lake sailing and the sudden gusts and shifts one has little or no time "to read". Dart 18s are very light less than 200lbs! They are designed for high wind but turned out to be superior to a hobie16 that already was on the lake I sailed. In truth the dart 18 does not come into its own until winds exceed 18 knots. But my dart outperformed all other admit tingly smaller cats on the lake. I follow dart 18 prices in Europe and believe that price wise coupeled with future probable use in larger venues (dart disassembles with ease)by an experienced board sailor expecting hi performance leaves little issue as to best choice, ps I still have my 5.7 nacre.ahobie 16 and Prindle16. Lost my 5.2 to "sandy" and love them all but dart18best choice in Northern Europe

You're so right about the Dart 18, I completely forgot them when we were
comparing catamarans mostly available in North America.

Jan, if you can get a Dart 18, go for it ! Largely available in the UK,
Holland and Germany, Poland ?? don't know.

Its a perfect single-hander in moderate conditions, with a roller-jib
you can sail it in more harsh conditions.
No daggerboards, brilliant rudder set-up and very lightweight!
Easy assembly and transportation. Good ones sell for € 1500 - € 2500
Seems the way to go.

Grtz, André