new picnic cat 14 owner

[5monkeys]

I can attest to the value in checking the trailer thoroughly. When I bought my boat I had a long drive home. We Checked the tires, and greased the bearings even stopped to check for heat a few times. Everything was great. Unfortunately, I never even thought to look at the u-bolts that hold the axle to the springs. About 4 hours into a 10 hour drive, One of em broke. and the axle shifted.Tire rubbing on the frame, smoke pouring out like I was James Bond. I hadn't arranged for boat-US or alternatives. I did have AAA but they wouldn't help with a trialer. My Boat US membership had expired and renewing it at that time wouldn't help as it was a pre-existing condition. It was Memorial day weekend so it cost me two nights in a hotel and $500 on a 6 mile tow, on top of the repair bill. Fortunately, a repair place was near by.

I later learned that my primary auto insurance carrier would have covered the tow (when trailer is attached to my truck they consider it part of the vehicle) had I elected their roadside service for $5 a month prior to the trip. That's what I run with now, but in retrospect I should have checked the u-bolts and I should have signed up for some roadside service before the trip. Either with my carrier or boat-us.. once you have an issue it's too late and could be costly. I'm thankful nobody was harmed and the axle and boat stayed on the trailer. I also wish you all the best with your new boat and your travels.

[ChasRN]

Roger & Finbar Beagle --

I'm a new Sun Cat owner in the Philadelphia area, not too far from Barnegat Bay. I plan to keep the Cat (have to rename her but am still casting about for the ideal name) at a slip on the Delaware, close to home so that can get out as often as possible. I'm new to sailing with only limited experience, all on J-27's out of Philadelphia, so need some time to build up my cat boat skills. 

Once I build up my sailing skills a bit though, I'd love to trailer her to the shore. Barnegat Bay would be a welcome change from sailing on the Delaware where I need to be concerned not only with the tide, but also with tricky winds due to the buildings & bridges, commercial shipping & ferry traffic, dozens of jet skiers and an incredible amount of flotsam.

Would love to meet up at some point - perhaps we could shot for something late summer.

[Roger]

sounds like a plan. I named mine Second Wind

[Finbar Beagle]

Chase and Roger,

Would like a plan to meet up on the Barnegat.
When you rename your boat, remember to pay homage to Neptune.  He needs to recognize the boat under a new name. 

When I renamed Cork Cat, we had many offerings of rum to the powers that be, and several to ourselves.  I definitely worked as Cork Cat has not let us down.

[bruce]

For experienced sailors, and others, I can highly recommend Bill Welch's book.
https://www.amazon.com/Competitive-Racing-Small-Gaff-Rigged-Catboats/dp/1419683829

There are some racing tips, mostly it's about sailing a catboat well.

[ChasRN]

Chase and Roger,

Would like a plan to meet up on the Barnegat.
When you rename your boat, remember to pay homage to Neptune.  He needs to recognize the boat under a new name. 

When I renamed Cork Cat, we had many offerings of rum to the powers that be, and several to ourselves.  I definitely worked as Cork Cat has not let us down.

Re: Barnegat meet up. In year's past, I would have suggested using my brother-in-law's place in Brick Twp, though it's technically on the Metedaconk. Alas, Hurricane Sandy has removed that option: No house there anymore and no dock left to speak of. I'd be trailering from the Philly area, so more southerly would be easier. I think I saw that Surf City was home port for one of you, and if that's the case, maybe something around Egg Harbor would be good. Will have to be later in the summer as I need time on the water in the Sun Cat beforehand.

As to names, my favorite fictional hero is Captain John Yossarian, and I was leaning toward naming her "Cat-22." That moniker is presently under review by the Admiral.

I will handle things with Neptune/Poseidon, and as a homebrewer, plan to use my latest creation - a farmhouse ale of my own recipe that I'm calling a saison marron - in the the renaming ceremony. While I can't promise that samples from that particular batch will still be available in July or August, I can guarantee that some manner of homebrew will be provided during a Barnegat meet-up . . .

[captbob57]

I think the cockpit grate is just a little bit over kill. The boat is fairly dry and the grates would add a bit of weight to the boat. I bought my PC used and if it did come with the grates I would probably remove them. I just carry a good bucket and a gallon water jug with the bottom cut off. Haven't had to use either yet. Keep dry! C.B.

[Jim in TC]

I'm surprised PC's get that wet.  I have a cockpit grate in my SC, but the only water that ever comes in comes over the coaming.

In our SC we get cockpit water backing in during bigger weather and serious heel. Of course, then we are on the high side so rarely get our feet wet (except as we come about...). Oh, and that time we WAY overloaded with 6 aboard, several of whom I will charitably suggest were carrying above their optimal weight. We had a good 3 or 4 inches of water in the cockpit that would not drain no matter what. Lesson learned.

[Finbar Beagle]

I love the cockpit grate, and also have it on my CP-19.  I guess it is the traditional look/feel of the wood, and how it gives a clean appearance.  Price was the biggest drawback.

Traction is much better than the wet fiberglass.

I really did not notice the weight, but I have not added any weight that is not functional, like a spare torqeedo battery in bow storage and anchor/rode, and cooler.