Catamaran length for beginner

[Albaker]

First post, and excitement is building. My son was bit by the bug, and last July he bought a Bayfield 31c with the intent to sail around the world as soon as enough money is saved up. He’s having a blast.

He’s talked me into R2AK in 2020, but the Bayfield we don’t think will cut it. I found a Nacra Inter 20 for sale, and we have a fantastic lake to sail in locally. I don’t have experience with a cat. I’ve seen them go over, and my concern is that I won’t be able to right it solo. I am 6- 6” and weigh 245 - and no, I’m not big john. I really don’t want to buy a smaller one and a few months out get another one, so this is the boat we intend to take out next year. I need some input as to the smartest way to go. I’m green at this but plan on going out most weekends over the next year.

Thoughts? Thank you!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Albaker.

[boatman61]

Thom is the man for this one..

[maxingout]

My son had a Hobie 18 that he could right when it went over. It all depends on the wind, the skill of the people in the water and the number of people on board. You can use the wind to help you right the cat if you can spin the cat around.

If I was sailing alone most of the time, I would choose a 16 to 18 foot catamaran because It would be easier for me to right when things went wrong.

If you have two people on board, the Larger cat would likely be fine.

[Sailmonkey]

At 6’6” and 245 you should be able to readily right an I20 solo in normal light trim. But load it up for R2Ak and it may be a different story.

You do need to practice capsizing, and figure out what works for you. I personally use the righting line hitched loosely to my trap harness to hang from, but I’m much smaller than you and it takes me longer to right a boat.

[Bean Counter]

When sailing a two man 20ft beach cat solo try it without the jib or jib furled, you might have to adjust mast rake and or rudders but it should be fine to learn on. In terms of righting it, if you can suffer the embarrassment attach a mast float https://www.murrays.com/product/07-30112/

[Sailmonkey]

I should add, on an older boat you need to make sure the mast is still well sealed. If the stick floods while you’re over it’ll be a bear to right.

[Albaker]

Thanks guys! A lot of great info, and I appreciate it.

[Adelie]

Are people really taking racing cats on R2AK?

I would go for a Hobie 21.

[Macblaze]

You don't think the Bayfield will cut the R2AK so you want to go with a racing cat? That makes little to no sense to me? Are you worried about rowing the Bayfield in and out of the harbours? The water is cold cold cold...I wouldn't want to be in any danger of being dumped.

There have been some pretty small boats in the race so I don't think any boat is necessarily an issue. As someone mentioned it I think it more what you can handle and the conditions you have to handle it in. Personally if I was a noob I would hesitate to take something like a Hobie up Johnstone if the weather was in any way acting up. Then again it would be pretty darn exhilarating to make the trip in a 20' cat...

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Adelie

Are people really taking racing cats on R2AK?

I would go for a Hobie 21.

Yes they are.

The Burd brothers did the race on an ARC 22 cat. When the wind pipes up I’ll take an I-20 any day over that over canvassed behemoth!!

[thinwater]

A 16' cat was my solo righting limit, but I was 155 at the time. the Inter 20 has a lot of mast. I could not. But do the math.


He also has to learn to sail it under survival conditions. Add some reefs. That's a lot of boat to singlehand in remote areas in all weather, and the Inter 20 demands the A-game of an experienced cat sailor when the wind is up.

[Albaker]

My understanding is that there is a considerable of rowing or pedaling, and at least for rowing the consensus seems to be "it sucks." I don't intend on being a noob by June of next year, plus I'll have my son with me to help right. Yeah, I figured the water would be cold, but that's what wet suits are for. I've not bought a boat yet, but you folks have given me some good info to consider. Thanks

[Reefmagnet]

A "hawaiian" righting system can be fitted to small cats to assist with righting those up to about 18 foot in length.



for example: https://www.murrays.com/product/01-x293/