Sailing a Cat

[rbh1515]

I'm new here and am seriously thinking about buying a Horizon Day Cat.  I've seen Com Pac Horizon Cats before but never considered one because the cockpits are rather small and I'm not interested in wheel steering.  The
HDC has a huge cockpit.  Here 's my question:  I've always been a sloop sailor.  My current boat is a Catalina 28.  What is it like sailing a cat?  Is it going to be fun to sail compared to a sloop.  I like the idea of one sail and not having to crank in a 150 jenny.  I sail on Lake Michigan.  Is is dry sailing in waves.  Are they safe?  Has anyone ever capsized?  I did look at the Wyliecat 30 a few years ago and sailed it on SF Bay, and it sailed great but it is ridiculously expensive.  The HDC is much more affordable and looks very interesting.
Rob

[Subsailor637]

Rob, I can't speak to the day version of the Horizon Cat but I can tell you I love my Horizon Cat which I bought at Strictly Sail Chicago in Feb  2013.  My most recent sailboat before this was a Catalina 34 tall rig which I sailed out of Kenosha, Wi.  My wife tried to "love" sailing but was always a little afraid of Lake Michigan and the heeling angle of a mid size sloop going to windward.  So, I went to the dark side, sold the Catalina and bought a Carver 36 aft cabin.  We still have that in Kenosha but I am so bored driving a motor yacht around I had to find something to sail.  I had seen the HC at several Strictly Sail shows and really loved the look and craftsmanship not to mention the history of catboats.  Figuring I was going to sail it a lot single handed I was interested in only dealing with a single sail but with the challenge of learning something new with the gaff rig.  We live in Peoria, Il near the Illinos River so the shallow draft really helps as well.  I can tell you I love the boat and have never been disappointed taking her out.  The funny thing is I seldom sail alone as my wife enjoys going out on the more controlled waters of the river (although it can get up in a blow) and my daughter likes to sail for awhile and then have Dad tie up at a restaurant on one side of the river or the other.  Of course I was used to having a wheel on my Catalina but I have sailed a tiller many times so no preference to me.  I did insist on the traditional wooden wheel even though they now come standard with stainless (compliments all the teak trim and handrails).  I constantly have other sailboats swing in close for an upfront look and offers to "crew" on my boat whenever I need someone!  Not sure if I would want to take the HC out in 6 to 8 footers on Lake Michigan like I did routinely with the Catalina but maybe I'm a little cautious as I've gotten older.

[rbh1515]

Thanks for your response!!  Sounds like you would feel comfortable sailing it on Lake Michigan. I do like occasionally to go out on a windy day...it can be exciting.  I just hope the HDC is seaworthy and safe!

[BruceW]

I'll tell you one thing; the accidental jibe in a catboat is something to avoid!

There are a few little things to get used to, but the Com-pac cats are really well-made.

My experience was on a Suncat, but I have also heard many good things about the Horizon.

[Craig]

Without a doubt the HC is safe and seaworthy! Keep in mind that catboats were designed as working craft to be sailed shorthanded in the choppy and often nasty seas of the Northeast. The HC carries substantial ballast and has  strong form stability as well. I have never heard of a capsize. The gaff rig has a relatively low center of effort which keeps the heeling moment low, In truth most catboats will round up on their own if overpowered and the captain is asleep at the helm/sheets! Far from being "outmoded" the modern gaff rig offers a wide range of adjustments for all wind conditions. For example, easing the gaff halyard will spill the wind from the upper part of the sail as a kind of "semi reef"(for lack of a better term) if conditions warrant. Having only one sail and set of halyards to deal with is a plus in all circumstances and especially if singlehanding. That ease of handling by one person even when sailing with "crew"is a big plus for relaxed sailing. Kailani is our second catboat(third if I count the one I had as a kid) and we absolutely love her! Is the HC a "blue water"boat? If one is talking about ocean voyaging the answer is no for a number of reasons, most of which have nothing to do with seaworthiness. For a boat with low freeboard she is relatively dry. Beating to windward in a stiff breeze and chop expect to feel a little spray in your face but the HC is no different in that respect than most boats under those conditions. Properly handled the HC will take you safely just about anyplace you want to go in all but the most extreme conditions. By the way, accidental jibes are not a good thing in any boat. On the other hand jibing(controlled) Kailani in light to moderate conditions is no big deal and it is part of our normal sailing repertoire.

[cdflan]

I think you would be very happy with the HDC.  When I ordered my Horizon Cat last year, I asked about a tiller and they replied that they had just completed a rudder redesign for one and could incorporate one for my boat.  The prototype day sailor was being built right next to mine and actually would have been a better choice although at the time I envisioned more overnight cruising than my age or wife has allowed.  The comments elsewhere on this site on wheel vs tiller give all the pros and cons but the loss of space in the standard HC is the only significant con which would not be a problem in the HDC.  Addition of a tiller clutch (tied off to the gallows supports) gives you the short term course stability that a wheel does for attending to halyards, sheets, etc.  The tiller is also readily adaptable for autopilot installation (I installed a Raymarine ST1000) which gives even more freedom.
On safety, there isn't any concern for inland or coastal waters.  She behaves very well up to 15 - 20 mph beyond which you will want to reef.  Reefed, I have sailed mine in 30 mph conditions without any concern.  Dropping the peak halyard (or "scandalizing" the sail) as mentioned above can also give you quick short term control for squalls.  The extreme technique is to drop the end of the gaff to just above the boom but my first exposure to the technique many years ago on a 26' Crosby was to drop it to the horizontal which depowered the sail enough to give control in the conditions we were in.  You'll need a topping lift or lazy jacks (which you'll want anyway for easy sail furling) is necessary as without, you'll hit the boom gallows and also put too much strain on the sail.
The jibe problem for a gaff rigged cat is only different because of the added momentum from the weight of the gaff that can impose high peak loads on rig and sail.  Sheeting it in before the jibe or if really nasty, tacking solves the problem.

[rbh1515]

Really great posts...I appreciate your experience with the boat.  I know there is at least one regular Horizon Cat in the Milwaukee area, and I'm hoping to set a ride in one before I decide, but I think the HDC would work out for me!
Rob

[Craig]

One "accessory"I can recommend highly is a Boomkicker. We have had one on both our catboats and while not cheap are really great! Once it is set up it will support the boom just above the gallows while raising and lowering sail without any further adjusting or lines to mess with. With the addition of lazy jacks raising and lowering sail is no sweat,no hassle even when singlehanding!

[rbh1515]

If you use the boomkicker, will the boom not rest in the gallows at the dock?
Lazy jacks would definitely be useful.  I'll have to check if that is a factory option?
Rob

[Craig]

The boomkicker uses flexible fiberglass rods to support the boom. The rods act like a spring to support the boom. Tightening the sheets flexes the rods and pulls the boom into the gallows. Another plus is that in light air the boom is supported and reduces "slatting" in drifting conditions. If posting pics were not such a pita on this forum I could show you a pic of Kailani that clearly shows how the boomkicker works. We also have a Mack Sails Mack Pack which integrates the lazy jacks with the sailcover. Drop the sail into the sailcover, zip up, done! The Boomkicker and the Mack Pack work as a system to control the boom and sail.

[rbh1515]

That makes sense.  Slatting...in light air does the boom have a tendency to drop down?

[Craig]

With a Boomkicker, no. In any case if the sail is fully raised, the boom will clear the boom gallows without any support. However because the Boomkicker attaches to the boom with a sliding track, there is a degree of frictional damping to the motion of the boom. Additionally, the "springiness" of the Boomkicker acts like a shock absorber so that the boom motion is softened. This is particularly noticeable when bounced around by wakes from powerboats in light air. Re the HDC, I am intrigued with the fact that even with the huge cockpit there are a couple of berths that can be converted to a full size berth by using the backrest cushions as a filler between them. With the addition of a boom tent the HDC would make a nifty "camper-cruiser" as well as a great daysailer.