I am planning to go look at a Suncat 17 that doesn't have the cuddy cabin. It's open like a Picnic Cat. If anyone is familiar with this somewhat more rare model, please enlighten me. Is the hull the same, keel depth and centerboard, ect? The sail rig looks the same, other that the overall mast height is lower due to lack of a cabin.
Great boat, if I went with a Sun Cat that or the Sunday Cat would have been my choice. As you say, hard to find.
I'm fairly sure Com-Pac didn't produce and maintain different hull molds for the various Sun Cat models, especially for the Daysailer since they weren't likely to sell that many. Different deck molds of course.
Not sure why you think the mast would be shorter. The Sun Cat masts are all keel stepped, the mast on the cabin version passes through the foredeck in front of the cabin. These links to Tom Ray's Tropical Boating site, showing the cabin version, should work. The mast can be seen in the forward locker.
https://www.tropicalboating.com/wp-content/uploadsboating/2015/09/road-ready.jpg
https://www.tropicalboating.com/wp-content/uploadsboating/2015/09/forward-locker.jpg
Dwyer Mast doesn't differentiate between the Sun Cat models in the shop drawings they provided.
https://cpyoa.com/forum/index.php?topic=11288.msg85117#msg85117
Zephyros is no longer active here, but he had a Daysailer and posted a lot of good content.
Thanks for the info Bruce!
Our sailing club has a Suncat daysailer as the club boat. I have previously owned a Suncat and a Sundaycat. The daysailer is virtually identical to the other boats with exception of the cabins - same hull, rig, cockpit lockers etc. Club members use it quite a bit and report enjoying it.
If you've not yet found a Daysailer, here you go. Central FL, $10K. Looks pretty good - unless it's a scam. A touch odd a fellow owning that boat would misidentify it as a Sunday Cat, and even has a stock photo of a Sunday Cat in his listing with what looks to be legit personal Daysailer pics. Buyer beware!
Not too far from me in FL...somehow have to convince myself I need one in Maine and FL.
https://www.facebook.com/share/17J15whLWJ/