Recommend a surf cat?

[dantnz]

The duo looks like an awesome design, just bookmarked that just in case!

If you want a cat that will operate in actual surf, rather than just get out through it, the windrush 14 and 12 are both excellent. The 12 particularly is pretty indestructible. Could consider using the windrush style spade rudder on the duo, really practical in surf, just surf straight in up the beach and no rudders to drop in going out.

I've tried H16s and 14s in good sized surf, not so good, prone to reverse pitching, the high tramps are good though. Quite fragile if you tip them over in the surf.

 

[Zootalaws]

I'm sorted - I found a derelict Wharram Hitia 17 that needs some TLC...

Bought her for less than the cost of a set of sails.

I think 40 or so hours and a couple of hundred dollars and she should be back to seaworthy condition. A lot less than building from scratch.

I would like to implement her boomless wingsail rig so I am trying a few different sailmakers to see what it will cost. But all in all, it seems like it is going to be the right boat - car-toppable, built for beaches, easy for two people to set up.

Thanks for the tips - even those that continued on with Hobie and Windrush recommendations in the face of geographic, financial and design obstacles.

 

[dantnz]

Thanks for the tips - even those that continued on with Hobie and Windrush recommendations in the face of geographic, financial and design obstacles.

Harsh but fair! Can't be that much of a boat desert though if old wharrams are lying around!

 

[Zootalaws]

Lol, not so harsh, at least I said thanks

The Hitia was a project from one of the foreign teachers that worked here - my wife works for the same company and the word kind of got round that I was looking/building and someone came out with 'I've got a boat down the side of my house'. It looks about 5-6 years old, made with non-marine ply but with a skin of (thin) glass.

It is a mess, but will take less time than building.

The big expense will be sails - there's nothing with the boat. I've been quoted £500 for a main, plus shipping... but I'm sure there will be a cheaper option in somewhere like Thailand. Second hand seems scarce.

The same guy has a Tiki 21 from the same builder which he sails - but that is also a 'bitsa' - doesn't have the original rig, but seems sound.

I guess they were school projects.

 

[dantnz]

Any windsurfers around? Might be able to copy that aspect of Kohler's design with a bit of reinforcing of the masts to stiffen them up a bit. What about a lateen rig, don't they knock those up around your way?

 

[Zootalaws]

Not going Kohler - at least, not in the near future. And I don't have plans for (or know enough about) Wharram's rig.

There aren't any sailmakers on Borneo, that I have managed to find. There are a couple on Peninsular Malaysia, but they haven't replied to my attempts to contact them (not unusual in Asia - crap at web/email), the same for two sailmakers in Thailand (one of which advertises as being 'licenced' by Wharram).

So my choices seem to be EU or US and wear £200 for shipping... or more.