Phoenix Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Ok, I used to sail my old man's maricat 4.3 a bit when I was younger and a recent trip to Fiji where the resort had some calypso resort 4 boats reignited the spark in me to sail. However the maricat was always a big heavy thing to move and rig, and fairly wide in his narrow drive. So I thought I would see what was about the place in the way of a smaller boat. The calypso that I sailed in Fiji was nice and simple, and reasonably narrow, yet had plenty of floatation, and it appears that they are a fairly inexpensive boat to buy ($6,800), but no rocketship. But then I want to have fun sailing with my family, not race. So as the 2nd hand market in tassie is all but dead, I had a look at new boats. I love the look of the Nacra playcat ($6500), it's not a bad price (I still have to get my head around plastic hulls). However only being available in WA or QLD means at least another $1000 in transport, which brings it up to the same price as the Hobie Wave ($7500) which I can get in Victoria. There is a local hobie dealer, but they only do the kayaks. I love the look of the Nacra 4.5 sports and Sirocco, but they are a few dollars more at $9k to $13k plus a trailer. I know 2nd hand would be cheaper, but as I said, not a lot appears down here, and most are big boats, A Class, Nacra 5.8, Tornado etc. So what are every body elses opinions on these boats? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darcy1945 Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 You mentioned width and weight as factors, on the NSW Coast, good 2nd hand 4.3 Mari/windy start at about $1k up to $5k (for lightweight foam sandwich race only), good 4m maris can be bought for $400 to $1000. I would stick with production cats that have been built in large numbers, simply for parts availability and 2nd hand parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix Posted September 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2011 The Hobie Wave has been in production for some time, and built in very large numbers as far as I can tell. I thought the maricats were out of production? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darcy1945 Posted September 27, 2011 Report Share Posted September 27, 2011 Maricats are produced in Bribane, Central coast agent is Mike Coalcliffe at Lemon Tree Passage Marina. They are currently the strongest Production 4.3 class in Australia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix Posted September 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2011 Mmmm, maybe fixing up the old man's somewhat decrepit 4.3 would be a good option in all of this.... and the dead trailer. Thanks for the heads up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TornadoSport260 Posted September 27, 2011 Report Share Posted September 27, 2011 I wouldn't say the Maricat is the strongest production 4.3 in Australia... There are alot more Windrush registered in WA than there are registered Mari's in Aust. And to top both there are even more Paper Tigers in registered in Aus than both and they are being produced by a VIC builder or home builds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darcy1945 Posted September 27, 2011 Report Share Posted September 27, 2011 I think going with your old Mari is a smart move. Check this site for parts, new tramps $250, mainsails from $100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix Posted September 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2011 The old mari is probably beyond economical repair, so looking at other options. Maybe I'll look at 2nd hand until I can get some money for a new one. depends on the minister for finance I guess! The old man's sad story. [ATTACH=CONFIG]373[/ATTACH] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knobblyoldjimbo Posted September 27, 2011 Report Share Posted September 27, 2011 strewth - get the Gurney out. couple of welds and she'll be fine. Keep the trailer, you may need it sometime. Look around for a club that races small cats, see what they sail then make a decision. There really is nothing like racing to fully understand how these boats work. The paper tiger is interesting - they had a Nationals in Tas a while ago I think. Maybe there are some around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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