Just wondering if anyone has some advice on a good make/size of cat for a beginner. Im thinking around 14' hobie?, maricat? Something that I can grow into would be good and not looking to spend a fortune...under 5k??
Any help and advice would be great!

Depending on where and depending on conditions. Try to buy something that is being sailed in your local area, that way you have access to a knowledge base regarding your particular class of boat.
I would avoid the Hobie 14 as it is a class that is no longer being produced and has no active class racing. Plus it is not a very buoyant boat, severely limiting extra weight you can carry.
Windrush 14 is a good choice, still being made and a good class association and actively raced all over the country. In that vein, the Maricat 4.3 is exactly the same, good boat still being made and actively raced all over the country.
Lastly, check out www.catsailor.net/ lots of nice people over there that sail beach cats and nothing but.

Forget Hobie 16, not a beginners boat. Yes they go fast, yes they look great, yes they are relatively easy to sail. Now that you know that also know this, they are incredibly difficult boats to sail WELL.

cisco said..

LooseChange said..

Forget Hobie 16, not a beginners boat. Yes they go fast, yes they look great, yes they are relatively easy to sail. Now that you know that also know this, they are incredibly difficult boats to sail WELL.

And they are a bitch to right when they go wrong.

Hum............ not really, just need to apply the right technic!

^^One of your typically dry responses there Ramona.

Of course easy righting applies only if your mast is sealed. If it fills with water you are boned.

cisco said..

LooseChange said..

Hobie 16 is actually not that difficult to get back up. Swim the mast tip so the pointy bit of the boat is into the wind, have the righting rope come over the top hull and lean back. The wind under the sail will do most of the work, easy peasy, done it many times.

Recently???

Does in the last twelve months count as recent? I don't do it as often as I used to these days, I now have a distinct lack of athleticism for that kind of thing.

Hobie masts are sealed and float.

felixdcat said..

cisco said..

LooseChange said..



Forget Hobie 16, not a beginners boat. Yes they go fast, yes they look great, yes they are relatively easy to sail. Now that you know that also know this, they are incredibly difficult boats to sail WELL.

And they are a bitch to right when they go wrong.

Hum............ not really, just need to apply the right technic!

I agree, it's not hard to right a 16.