Sun Cat or Horizon Cat

[polczech]

Can somebody who has spent time on both the Sun Cat and the Horizon Cat give me a comparison?  I'm trying to decide between a bird in the hand – a Sun Cat I have actually sat on – and two in the bush – a Horizon Cat that has yet to materialize in my area (I've never even seen a Horizon Cat in person).  I'm downsizing from a big sloop to something where I can understand all the systems and reach and touch everything that needs working on, and where a polytarp puts the boat into suspended animation. 

There are five of us, with the three kids being young.  I sail Gulf Coast bays.  I need to be able to singlehandle the boat even if my family is with me.   

My area has good wind for daysailing but poor options for cruising.  Cabin will mainly be storage and for an emergency portapotty and place to park the kids out of the sun every now and then.  In any event, I've accepted that a family of five isn't going to fit on any trailer-sailer, to be honest.  Even my 31-footer gets crowded with all of us!  I would like to have at least a couple of bunks, however, for that gunkholing tour of remote bays by myself or with a buddy that isn't ever really going to happen. 

Is it even possible to sleep two adults and three little kids on the HC?  I'm having a hard time visualizing the HC cabin from photos and drawings – is there a proper v-berth in addition to two side-berths?  A v-berth of decent size can take care of mom, dad, and littlest one.  The max in the SC is clearly two people.
From purely a sailing standpoint, is the Horizon basically a stretched out Sun Cat (or a Sun Cat a shrunken Horizon) or are they fundamentally different boats?  In dry numbers, the SC has a SA/D of 18.32 versus 17.81 for the HC, but D/L (around 200) and capsize ratio (around 2.5) are roughly the same for the two.  Hull speed is 5.19 for the SC and 5.65 for the HC.

According to one website, the SC cockpit length (presumably the longest span from hatch to transom) of 6'6" is greater than the HC (6'0").  Of course, the HC has another foot of beam, giving you more cockpit volume.  For whatever it's worth, the SC has a decal stating a maximum occupancy of five, which works for my family size.  What does the HC decal say? 

I've got a V-8 that can handle the towing weight of either boat, although photos of the HC behind a vehicle make it look alarmingly large.  I don't want to dread launch and recovery.  Also, even if I've pulled heavy trailers cross-country twice, I'm a novice when it comes to maneuvering trailers in reverse.
When in doubt, go bigger or go smaller?  Bird in the hand?  Is my family going to feel comfortable in a SC (am I going to feel comfortable with them in that boat?)  Obviously I will try to choose my sailing conditions, but we have these pesky thunderstorms....  Does the bigger HC give me a big boost in confidence out on the bay?

Thanks.

[Craig]

As a current HC owner and former Suncat owner I think I can address your questions. Singlehanding a HC is no problem. I do it all the time. The size of your family is the determining factor. Frankly five on a Suncat even with three being young kids is going to be a crowd and IMHO a little claustrophobic despite its rated capacity. Sleeping capacity is the real fly in the ointment in my mind. Even though the HC is larger than the Suncat,it only has two berths(no V berth) so sleeping five is not going to be feasable. Your primary use is the second major determinant in your ultimate choice of boats. IMHO the Suncat is not a good choice. That being said you do have the choice between the HC or the HC Day Cat. If you only need two bunks, then the HC Day Cat is the better choice. The interior space is roughly that of the Suncat(just slightly smaller actually) with two bunks and space for a porti-potti. The big difference is a huge gain in cockpit space which can easily accommodate your family on a daysail. Both HC's feature wheel steering standard which also adds significant useable cockpit space. The Suncat and the HC are really quite different boats even though they look similar. I prefer the HC for its stability, smoother ride, added space and better light air performance. Don't get me wrong, the Suncat is a fantastic boat( we loved ours!) but I think it is just too small for your family.

[capt_nemo]

polczech,

As a current Sun Cat Owner/Sailor I totally agree with Craig's comments and that the choice would be between the HC or HC Day Cat.

And, based on family size and stated intended use, in my opinion the HC Day Cat is made to order for your family with its large day sailing cockpit and nice sized cuddy cabin for porta potty, storage area, temporary shelter, and occasional overnite with a buddy.

Best wishes on selecting your next boat. Ain't it fun!

capt_nemo

[rbh1515]

I have not sailed on a Sun Cat but I have sailed on a Horizon Cat.  I have always owned sloops and I just sold my Catalina 28, and ordered a Horizon Day Cat.  The cockpit on the Horizon Cat is tiny, and I think would get crowded with more than 3.  The HDC has a cockpit bigger than my Catalina 28.  We only day sail, so the small cabin with a portapotty is all we need.  I love the idea of having 1 sail.  Tacking is so easy...no big 150 Jenny to winch in!  A tiller is standard on the HDC, which is what I want.  A wheel is available for an up charge.  An outboard bracket is standard.  I'm going with a Torqeedo 1003 with a remote throttle.
The guy in my town with a horizon Cat was also a sloop sailor...I think he had a 36 footer, and he loves his Horizon Cat.  He has had it for about 8 years and it has held up very well.
Rob

[polczech]

Thanks for all the input. 

I've never bought a new boat.  Is it like buying a new car, with all that negotiation?  Do you shop around with dealers in other states as well, or do you really need your local dealer? 

[rbh1515]

I did a lot of research into buying a Com-Pac before placing my order.  Email me off line and I'll fill you in.
Rob

[Eric in Seattle]

I love my Sun Cat Daysailor since it is all cockpit and can accommodate 5 to 6 people on a day sail without feeling crowded.  It has plenty of space for storage in the bow and under the seats.  The downside is that there is not a cabin for shelter or to sleep.  I use a Bimini for shelter, if needed, and am going to configure a boom tent for those times that I want to overnight.  It is difficult for a small boat to provide both enough cabin and cockpit space.  Having owned several larger boats with large cockpits and cabins, both the standard Sun Cat and Horizon Cat seemed like too big of a compromise in both departments.  I decided that since over 90 % of my sailing would be day sailing with family and friends, that a Sun Cat Daysailor made the most sense for me. 

[Craig]

Horizon Cat cockpit "tiny"? Actually the HC cockpit is pretty roomy, especially for a 20 footer. Frankly four people in the cockpit of many larger boats can be a little tight especially if they have a tiller. I have sailed four comfortably in Kailani on a number of occasions. The HC Day Cat is the way to go if you want to sail with more than four however and don't need/want the larger cabin.

[rbh1515]

Yes, I would consider it tiny, especially compared to other boats I have owned and sailed on.  It's not a cockpit you can stretch out in.  It's fine for 2, but would get quickly crowded beyond 3 IMO.