I guess I am backwards

[bc100700]

I guess I should have done this first (before jumping in and posting questions). I am relatively new to sailing. I have a dingy that I sail on an inland lake. I am surrounded by water though as I live in Michigan. I really like the space that a cat brings so I was naturally drawn to a cat from the get go. Reading more and more the idea of not heeling and a shallow draft (to get into some of the rivers around here) really makes sense. I am currently working on sailing skills starting out small. Looking to learn as much as I can, would eventually like to sail the big lakes that surround my state in the summers and maybe someday get to the Atlantic. I am really not all that interested in mono's but I figure, I will be taking a few lessons and the economics of learning basics on mono's seem to be better in the great lakes. I have 3 young kids so the room of a cat is what really kept me looking until I found this site. I really enjoy the info here, thanks for providing it.

Brad

[Talbot]

Welcome.

You say that you want to start small - but small for some people is 40ft, and for others 12ft. Do you mean beach cat size or something that can be used for day cruising.

Again this is a matter for personal decision, because there was a small hobie that sailed across the atlantic (16ft if I remember correctly). Personally I am more of a "dont spill the drink" style sailor needing at least 30ft and preferably a bit more.

[searenitysail]

Welcome.

You say that you want to start small - but small for some people is 40ft, and for others 12ft. Do you mean beach cat size or something that can be used for day cruising.

Again this is a matter for personal decision, because there was a small hobie that sailed across the atlantic (16ft if I remember correctly).

Good memory Talbot. Actually, it was done twice. First on a Hobie 18 Magnum in October 1986 by Tony Laurent & Daniel Pradel and on a Nacra 19 in January 1999 by Hans Bouscholte and Gerard Navarin.

Interesting read:
http://www.sail.ie/misc/cats_atlantic.htm

As for Brad, I don't know the particulars but I read on Yahoo Lagoon Owners group someone was buying a new Lagoon 380. taking delivery in New Jersey (I believe) and taking it up the Hudson River and Erie Canal to the Great Lakes last year. His plans were to charter it up there to help pay for it.

You might want to do an internet search and get in contact with him to discuss your goals and dreams.

Marshall

[bc100700]

Talbot - I guess I am more in the 12ft camp. I do not have any intentions of going across the Atlantic in a Hobie 18. I would like something in the 40' + range in the future (but that is years from now) I have 3 kids that are all under 9 yrs old so I have a lot of other things that I am always pulled into. Maybe I will be able to convince them to help me build a boat. That would be a good way to spend time with them as teenagers I guess.

Marshall - Thanks for the heads up on the Great lakes cat guy. I do not yet have any confidence in my sailing ability to charter. I am hoping to do some ASA classes this summer yet to get better. I would like to charter somewhere in the Caribbean in the closer future while my kids are still young.

Brad

[2hulls]

Welcome, Brad - IMHO, if you learn to sail on a small mono, you'll be a better cat sailor. Learning on a tippy mono will teach you better fundamantals - you'll get a better feel and your mistakes will be more apparent. Nothing like learning to gybe the right way..... But get on any and all boats you can.

Perhaps consider buying the family a Sunfish so the kids can learn with you. For a few hundred $$ you'll make a terrific investment on your future happiness. If you and the kids master that Sunfish after many capsizes, you'll be WAY ahead of anyone starting out learning on any bigger boat - cat or mono.

2 Hulls Dave

[jkd]

Hello Brad,

Please don't fee bad about being slightly backwards. Without naming names there are several others here already.:) (some of the less desirable elements might even point the finger my way):rolleyes:
I agree with 2hulls on this, get a small positive buoyancy knock around and get the kids involved early. I was dragged around by an older brother at an early age as ballast and have loved it since. This will help when you do your charters etc later as they will feel part of the action and know what's going on rather than just being passengers dragged away from friends and games. And any time on the water sailing will increase your knowledge base whether it is sail trim or looking for wind changes on the water.

Good luck and welcome aboard.

John

[bc100700]

Thanks Dave and John
I actually have an O'day Javelin. It is 14' has a main and a jib. Upside it is self bailing and has a centerboard that I can set. I can pull it up on the beach and I got her for a few hundred. Downside - it is currently 180 miles away at the cottage so I don't get to go out much in June. I will be up there for a couple weeks soon so I plan to practice more.

Thanks for all the advice.

Brad

[ireaney]

;)!! em tahw sdrawkcaB

Hello Brad,

Please don't fee bad about being slightly backwards. Without naming names there are several others here already.:) (some of the less desirable elements might even point the finger my way):rolleyes:
I agree with 2hulls on this, get a small positive buoyancy knock around and get the kids involved early. I was dragged around by an older brother at an early age as ballast and have loved it since. This will help when you do your charters etc later as they will feel part of the action and know what's going on rather than just being passengers dragged away from friends and games. And any time on the water sailing will increase your knowledge base whether it is sail trim or looking for wind changes on the water.

Good luck and welcome aboard.

John

[xsboats]

I have 3 kids that are all under 9 yrs old so I have a lot of other things that I am always pulled into. Maybe I will be able to convince them to help me build a boat. That would be a good way to spend time with them as teenagers I guess.


Brad[/quote]
Brad, Have you looked at Jim Brown's new Seaclipper 20 . It is a trailerable swing-wing trimaran . I can attest to it's popularity with mom's and kids alike. Check out Jim's video of it on Youtube Scott

[ka8uet]

A small cat is great for kids. They will be the coolest kids around sailing their Hobie cat or small dink. There are a lot of small cats that are good for day sails and are dryer and less tippy than a hobie-type beach cat. Your kids will love it! Get them and their mom involved now, before they are teenagers with their own ideas of what they want to do.

[Southern Star]

Welcome to the forum from another Brad who started his sailing life on the Great Lakes in a small dinghy. For what it is worth, I agree totally with the advice that you have already received: a small centerboard daysailor, such as what you have chosen, is the best way to learn. Enjoy!

Brad

[ka8uet]

Brad, speaking as a mom, getting the kids and their mom involved early and often is the key to realizing your dreams. It will be the best investment you ever made! Good luck, and enjoy!

[Yoga O]

FWIW, I am NOT in the learn on a small monohull camp!

Learn on a small multi instead! There has to be a huge number of Hobies and Nacras out there sitting in someone's garage, backyard, or whatever that could use some TLC and introduce awesomely FUN sailing to you and your kids.

FWIW (0, actually) I learned on a Hobie16 when I was 30 and I can assure you that had my GF showed up with a sunfish or other small mono, I wouldn't be married to her today and living on a catamaran.

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum -- enjoy!

Fair Winds,
Mike