I had a Prindle 16 that I sailed solo for a couple of seasons with the main only. I was racing against Nacra's at the Port Kembla sailing club. The Prindle 16 was a seriously scary boat in a breeze. In a moderate breeze was very pleasant but you have to remember they are twin trapeze boats for two adults on the wire, not really a family boat. Equivalent to a Hobie 16 but a better design and build quality. The mast is a very heavy section and difficult to raise even with a stand and beach wheels. Nacras were way out of my league price wise.
I would suggest starting off with a cheap Windrush 14 or a Maricat for well under $1000 and see how the rest of the family handle that.

Sounds a similar place to where I was 18months ago. I bought a Windrush 14. Was light enough I could rig and get on the trailer my self while my young family played on the beach. They all loved sailing it until new years day when I split the old hull..... Good excuse to start looking at trailer sailors.

Anyway. Boat cost me 1000, but then I bought a second set of sails and replaced the tramp. I probably got my monies worth but I overcapitalised and wished I had a boat on a better trailer I could take it further a field.

You wouldn't consider a hobie getaway or nacra 4.5 adventurer? That's probably what I'll look at if I shy away from trailer sailors.

Otherwise I'd also recommend a Windrush but in a bit better condition then mine, probably spending 2,000.

I also enjoyed the "feel" of the Windrush, seemed to communicate what it was doing and where the limit was so to speak. Have had a quick sail of a nacra adventurer back to back with mine and it didn't seem to have any feel. The nacra owner also made the same comment about the Windrush though it was his ex boat also..... (Not sure this has any real credit)

chiromario said..
I am looking to buy my first cat. I have found two reasonable options both in good condition. One is a Nacra 5 from the 1990s at $5200 and the other is a 2006 Prindle 16 for $2500. I am in Australia. I have contacted local sailing clubs to see what classes are sailed in case I look o racing but predominantly I would like to sail solo and with my wife and children. I would love some input about the technology differences between these 2 apparently great cats from the 1990s and 2006. I like the look of the Nacra as it does look ahead of its time (as a non-sailor I can see that) but I like to buy newer if the tech warrants It. Thanks in advance.

If I was looking for an OTB catamaran and living in SA i would not go past a Mosquito for a wide range of reasons.

Competition is strong and they are sailed in several city clubs and in several country ones. They are usually good guys and happy to help you sort the boat for racing. They are Australian designed and built.

They are tho' like a lot of other boats starting to get x'y for a top boat but many good secondhand boats available in what I guess is your price bracket.

They are designed for 1 or 2 person sailing and will tolerate a small extra socially.

I personally, having sailed and raced both of what you are looking at would not touch either ..... but that is my choice.

Talk to the mosquito assoc, they sail out of Adelaide SC, Somerton and I think Henley beach and down south somewhere near Yankalilla

dkd said..

chiromario said..
I am looking to buy my first cat. I have found two reasonable options both in good condition. One is a Nacra 5 from the 1990s at $5200 and the other is a 2006 Prindle 16 for $2500. I am in Australia. I have contacted local sailing clubs to see what classes are sailed in case I look o racing but predominantly I would like to sail solo and with my wife and children. I would love some input about the technology differences between these 2 apparently great cats from the 1990s and 2006. I like the look of the Nacra as it does look ahead of its time (as a non-sailor I can see that) but I like to buy newer if the tech warrants It. Thanks in advance.

If I was looking for an OTB catamaran and living in SA i would not go past a Mosquito for a wide range of reasons.

Competition is strong and they are sailed in several city clubs and in several country ones. They are usually good guys and happy to help you sort the boat for racing. They are Australian designed and built.

They are tho' like a lot of other boats starting to get x'y for a top boat but many good secondhand boats available in what I guess is your price bracket.

They are designed for 1 or 2 person sailing and will tolerate a small extra socially.

I personally, having sailed and raced both of what you are looking at would not touch either ..... but that is my choice.

Talk to the mosquito assoc, they sail out of Adelaide SC, Somerton and I think Henley beach and down south somewhere near Yankalilla

There is a whole pile of cats at Christie's Beach. I think they were mossies.