Great sailing footage of the Sun Cat! Thank you! I just purchased one, and am unable to sail for at least a month, so I’ve been searching for everything I can find/see online-thanks again-your different points of sail really start to show the motion of the boat!
That "pointy thing" is an extended horizontal bracket that places a Windex (apparent wind indicator) well out in front of the boat in "clear" air. Evidently, this is a speedy go-fast Sun Cat! ;-)
I can't win! When I DON'T post what the winds were in a video like this, somebody always asks me: "what were the winds?" When I DO post what the winds were, somebody who wasn't there to experience the conditions argues "it was a stretch". So, here ya go: At what wind speed do you start see white caps when looking downwind??? (Hint: It's a different speed than what you'll see when looking upwind.) Then, look at the 36-44 second section of the video, and tell me what you think. ;-)
Mr. Scott, just taking a chance you might see this on an old post. 😎Would you have any reservations taking this boat out to Catalina Island from say Marina Del Rey, Ca. It's about 26 miles off the Southern California Coast. I am aware of a group of West Wight Potter 19's that do it on occasion. Thanks so much. Dusty.
Dustin, for a trip like that in a small boat, the key factor is not the boat. It is the skipper. I sailed a Precision 18 to the Dry Tortugas - not a trip that boat was intended for, but one I was confident I could accomplish. So, if you feel YOU are up for the trip to Catalina, the Suncat will safely take you there. Not very quickly in all likelihood, but it will get you there. Good luck!
It depends. Once everything is up, there is only one line (the mainsheet) to deal with on a cat. So, that is easier. And tacking is just turning the rudder - so that is easier. On the other hand, the single sail is far larger than any one sail on a typical sloop. And the gaff and peak halyard demand a little extra attention when hoisting and lowering. The larger sail can require more effort to secure. (...however, on a boat the size of a Sun Cat, this is not a big deal.) If you were looking at a 24" cat boat, it could be!). Cat's are less easy to balance and can have much heavier helm loads in a breeze (generally), but again, for a boat the size of the Sun Cat, this is not a factor. Bottom Line: If you want easy to sail, and easy to rig, launch, and retrieve, it is difficult to beat a Sun Cat! Larger and more traditional cats can bring additional challenges due to scale. What works or doesn't work for you is something only you can decide.
Great sailing footage of the Sun Cat! Thank you! I just purchased one, and am unable to sail for at least a month, so I’ve been searching for everything I can find/see online-thanks again-your different points of sail really start to show the motion of the boat!
Good Morning Mr. Scott. Thank you for the quick response. I truly appreciate your feedback. Take care. Dustin.
Thanks for posting. I've been looking for good video of a sun cat going upwind in moderate breeze.
That "pointy thing" is an extended horizontal bracket that places a Windex (apparent wind indicator) well out in front of the boat in "clear" air. Evidently, this is a speedy go-fast Sun Cat! ;-)
I can't win! When I DON'T post what the winds were in a video like this, somebody always asks me: "what were the winds?" When I DO post what the winds were, somebody who wasn't there to experience the conditions argues "it was a stretch". So, here ya go: At what wind speed do you start see white caps when looking downwind??? (Hint: It's a different speed than what you'll see when looking upwind.) Then, look at the 36-44 second section of the video, and tell me what you think. ;-)
Mr. Scott, just taking a chance you might see this on an old post. 😎Would you have any reservations taking this boat out to Catalina Island from say Marina Del Rey, Ca. It's about 26 miles off the Southern California Coast. I am aware of a group of West Wight Potter 19's that do it on occasion. Thanks so much. Dusty.
Dustin, for a trip like that in a small boat, the key factor is not the boat. It is the skipper. I sailed a Precision 18 to the Dry Tortugas - not a trip that boat was intended for, but one I was confident I could accomplish. So, if you feel YOU are up for the trip to Catalina, the Suncat will safely take you there. Not very quickly in all likelihood, but it will get you there. Good luck!
La música de la serie AVENTURAS EN EL PARAÍSO!,,
Es la musica de la serie Route 66, que se vio en la televisión en los EE.UU. 1960 a 1964. Yo era niño, y la vi entonces.
Boat looks pretty dry for the conditions.
I’m considering getting a Cat, do you feel it sails easier with a large main sail instead of a smaller main and a jib, like other sailboats?
It depends. Once everything is up, there is only one line (the mainsheet) to deal with on a cat. So, that is easier.
And tacking is just turning the rudder - so that is easier.
On the other hand, the single sail is far larger than any one sail on a typical sloop. And the gaff and peak halyard demand a little extra attention when hoisting and lowering. The larger sail can require more effort to secure. (...however, on a boat the size of a Sun Cat, this is not a big deal.) If you were looking at a 24" cat boat, it could be!). Cat's are less easy to balance and can have much heavier helm loads in a breeze (generally), but again, for a boat the size of the Sun Cat, this is not a factor. Bottom Line: If you want easy to sail, and easy to rig, launch, and retrieve, it is difficult to beat a Sun Cat!
Larger and more traditional cats can bring additional challenges due to scale.
What works or doesn't work for you is something only you can decide.
Got the bit in its teeth.
How fast were you going? Looks great!
This was many years ago, so I do not recall exactly. But since we are talking about a Suncat, most likely 3 to 4 knots.
Funky music.
Rt.66!!
Whitecaps start forming around 12knots - 18knots would be a bit of a stretch they are however great looking boats! Enjoy!