Hello to all

[hoddinr]

This is Ron Hoddinott, who after 18 years of SeaPearl ownership is looking for a SunCat.  Yes, it's a totally different animal, I know. I've owned several other boats from 34 feet down to 12 feet, but at age 68, I'm looking for a boat that is very easy to rig, and can deal with canals, and locks, and rivers with ease.  I think that the SunCat will be the answer. I spent a week on the Erie Canal last Summer, and really enjoyed the easy pace of that type of cruising.  Actually thought about chucking sailing for a small trawler type like the Nimble Nomad that we were aboard, but sailing is just in my blood, and I'd miss it too much.  The SunCat could negotiate the Erie Canal (and others) with mast on the boom gallows.  Then when a lake is encountered, sailing could commence!

My SeaPearl Tri-Sport, Whisper, is for sale and I've done some research on the SunCats.  I saw one with a mast raising system that you deploy from the cockpit!  If that doesn't make it easy for an old guy!  I actually took out a prospective buyer for my SeaPearl Tri-Sport who owns a SunCat in South Carolina yesterday.  And tomorrow I'm going out with Dennis Marshall on his SunCat on Lake Tarpon. 

Our club, the West Coast Trailer Sailing Squadron, started out as mostly SeaPearls, but over the years (16) our fleet is changing and we have more SunCat type boats than SeaPearls now.  Demographics at work no doubt, as we all get older. 

Looking forward to becoming a SunCat owner.

Respectfully,
Ron Hoddinott

[alsantini]

Good luck in finding a SunCat Ron.  I sailed over the course of 3 winters on Charlotte Harbor on Butch Erny's SunCat.  We always had a ball as it is a pretty capable sailing cat boat.  It was 15 minutes from pull into parking lot to pulling away from the dock with the mast up.  I was so impressed with the MastEnder system that I bought an Eclipse.  Takes a little longer when compared to the SunCat because the mast must be slid aft to connect the pivot pins.  Both are great boats.  I know you will enjoy the SunCat....    Al

[hoddinr]

Thanks, Al.  Appreciate the kind words.  What did you do with your SunCat?  Trade in or sell outright?

[alsantini]

It wasn't my SunCat.  It was Butch Erny's.  He sold it to someone who frequents this web site.  Butch decided to go for motorcycles instead of sailboats.  Go figure!  Of course now he seems to enjoy my ComPac Eclipse, which we have sailed on Charlotte harbor.
Al

[hoddinr]

Oh, OK.  Butch had a home built catamaran before the SunCat.  Did you ever see that one?

Ron

[alsantini]

Yes, I sailed on the Crab Claw for 3 winters again on Charlotte Harbor.  Best thing he did was sell it.  It did not sail well nor hold up well.  By the time he sold it the mast had rotted through.  My wife was onboard once and said never again since it popped and moaned as you sailed it.  Only plus was the cabin and the enclosed head.  It would attract a bunch of attention every time he launched it.  I know he does not miss the Crab Claw......

[hoddinr]

I sailed aboard Dennis Marshall's SunCat Odd Duck today, and liked her very much.  We sailed on Lake Tarpon, in light winds and then later in 10-12 knots.  We didn't have to reef, but I got to see what she will do in light to moderate air, and was impressed.

[Bob23]

Hi Ron:
   Before my CP 23, I also was a Seapearl owner. 1985 mono with centerboard. I loved that boat and I'd sail her in creeks where only canoes and kayaks could go. But I never appreciated the over tenderness that she had and it didn't really suit the afternoon summer conditions we get here in Southern NJ where the SE wind almost always pipes up.
   I love my 23 and love the stability of the 1350# keel. Heck, that keel weighs twice as much as my entire Seapearl.
  In a strange twist, I recently learned that the Pearl is back up for sale...I wonder if my wife: BAM! Didn't know she was watching! Still it was a fun boat. I always wondered about enlarging the forward cockpit ( I know it's been done already) and building a removable hard cabintop for it. But that darned centerboard trunk took up so much space.
Bob23

[Craig]

Capt Nemo on this site has his Suncat, Frisky, on the market. An exceptional Suncat!