Why The Sun Cat Nationals?
Corsair Trimarans at Sunset
There was a pretty impressive group of boats at the starting line
In 2004, I was very excited to be invited to participate aboard a Corsair F-24 in the Corsair Trimaran National Championships in Pensacola, FL. The event was everything I had hoped for and more. A bunch of Corsair sailors took over the whole end of a hotel and anchored our boats right off the beach outside.
We had a couple of great days of racing on Pensacola Bay. The Pensacola Yacht Club was a genial host organization, there were some serious trimaran racers on hand, and some very interesting trimaran sailors who had come long distances for this event. There was a pretty impressive group of boats at the starting line.
There were several buoy races and a long race that took us all around the harbor and out a short distance into the Gulf. Surfing back in on those Gulf waves was one of the best sails of my life! The only thing that I never understood was why the regatta was called the “Nationals.”
It seemed like just another regatta to me. There was no elimination process, no series of races to winnow down the competition across the country, culminating in the best of the best in the nation meeting in Pensacola. It was just pretty much anyone who showed up with a trimaran, and it was the “Nationals” for the same reason Elvis was the “King”: because everyone said so.
Skipping ahead to 2010, there was a learned discussion on the Trailer Sailor Catboat Forum about how to get the best racing performance out of a Com-Pac Sun Cat. Sailors always want to optimize performance, no matter how slow or fast the boats, but the whole discussion struck me as kind of funny. The reason I sold the Corsair F-27 trimaran and bought a Com-Pac Sun Cat was not because sailing speed is my number one priority!
Since a couple of other former Corsair trimaran owners participate on that forum, I decided it would be funny to mock the whole idea of Sun Cat racing and the Corsair Trimaran “Nationals” at the same time by making up the Sun Cat National Championship Regatta. About a month later, the subject of racing Sun Cats on Charlotte Harbor was brought up on the Com-Pac Yacht Owners Association Sun Cat Forum, and when I mentioned my little joke about having the Sun Cat Nationals here, the idea was well-received by a Sun Cat owner on the east coast of Florida.
I do not need much encouragement to carry a joke too far, and I decided to host the first Sun Cat National Championship Regatta on the weekend of November 13-14, 2010. With the scheduling of the second Sun Cat National Championship Regatta for November 5-6, 2011, it looks like it’s becoming an annual event.
We called it the Sun Cat Nationals because no one has taken that name yet and no one can really stop us, but that is where the similarity to the Corsair event will end. This will not be a serious sailing race, except in the sense that when two or more sailboats are within sight of each other on the water, it’s always a race!
I will be the Head Catboat Jib Trimmer In Charge at this regatta, unless someone else seems to want the job. Catboat jib trimmers are notoriously lazy, so don’t expect too much official action out of me! We will race around any course that seems easy to me for the conditions at hand, unless senior Sun Cat skipper Joe has an idea that seems even easier. We will have one race on Saturday, or more if we get around to them, and if conditions permit we will have a long adventure race on Sunday, including passage under two low bridges. Masts down, everyone!
Railroad Bridge over Shell Creek
The entrance fee for this race is $20 per participant over the age of 12, and the primary race sponsor, Tropical Boating, will provide ample trailer parking, campsites for those who want them, and a BBQ steak dinner with cocktails and all the trimmings for all participants on Saturday night.
Tom,
I plan to attend with Sun Cat “Frisky”. Met you several times in past at boat shows and GI Sails, and spoke to you on phone after purchasing my boat. Since I’m retired and local, living in Port Charlotte, I’m willing to advise and assist in any way I can. I’d like to share a few thoughts with you in person.
Don
Looks amazing Tom!
Great start Tom. Home water advantage notwithstanding, lets be fair to all our visiting Suncatters or at least lets not let them know, we know our waters. Looking forward to it.
Consider encouraging near and far Sun Cat Owners to attend even if they can’t bring their boat, especially if we can pair them up with participating boats for the weekend’s events.
Completely agree with this one! I think prospective buyers who are considering a Sun Cat may be interested in hitching a ride and talking to owners as well.
For Owners attending from afar, have local/nearby Owners familiar with the area take one or more Boat Crews under their wing for individual attention to questions and/or needs. Let’s make them really feel welcome and part of the Sun Cat “Family”!
You will be first on my list for that duty, Don!
Good suggestion, Sanura always welcomes crew…captain always learns from others….the only time he is original is when he is in error.
I am a little boy of 64years waiting for my new sun cat to arrive at Snug Harbor Boats. Have never been on a catboat,but like the looks of them. I have a hunter 260 and it will go to my son when my cat comes in. If I can sail this boat without clearing the lake; I will be down with you for the race if someone will drop the bread crums and keep the guls away so I can find where the party is located. Looking to meeting some sun cat owners that can give pointers on any add-ons that will make single handed sailing my boat as much fun as I feel it should be. I will be in touch with you soon. Lee
Looking forward to meeting you, Lee! You’ll love the Sun Cat! My Sun Cat Rigging Modifications page might be of help!
picked up my new cat today; what a great girl!
Lee,
Although I just got my new Sun Cat last December I’ve made a number of mods I’d like to share with you. Example, using no blocks or cleats of any kind, I have home made deployable, stowable Lazy Jacks for under $25. With boat nestled in my air conditioned garage in the Florida summer heat I’ve just completed removal of ALL interior components and either sealed unfinished surfaces with epoxy or gave them several Cetol finish coats, as appropriate. All is reassembled now – and looks great. Look forward to meeting you.
I have a lot of work to do on my wood on my new boat. Do I oil it down or
I have a lot of work to do on the wood work on my new sun cat. which is best to use oil or some other finish on the outside wood? I kind of pland to wax the inside wood so as to keep the same finish as it comes. what is your thoughts on all this?
Ours is finished with Cetol. I think varnish looks best, but it’s a pain. Oil is OK but must be reapplied more frequently than the others. Another alternative is automotive clear coat.
It is best to coat the exterior teak while still “new” and clean. Do not use oil- it absorbs dust and dirt over time and then you’ll be using a teak cleaning system to clean the wood when dirty which will remove the soft part of the teak “hardwood” and raise the grain. Afterwards you’ll be sanding the wood to get it smooth again for your next coat of clean oil. Then the process begins all over again. Use some kind of good coating that will hold up well in the ultraviolet rays beating down on your boat. I agree with Jib Trimmer, that varnish looks best, but it can be a real pain -been there done that. I’ve had a lot of experience with coating lots of teak on boats and believe that Sikkens Cetol Marine is the best alternative considering ease of application, effectiveness, and maintenance. NO SANDING BETWEEN COATS! I used Cetol Marine Light on my teak. I do not use the gloss topcoat. If you decide to go the varnish route take a look at Epifanes Wood Finish Gloss, again NO SANDING BETWEEN COATS! I used it for all the brightwork on the wooden sailboat I made recently and am quite pleased with the results. Whatever you do, before coating, remember to wipe the teak down thoroughly with a clean Acetone soaked rag to remove the natural surface oils in the wood to achieve a better coating to wood bond. Have fun!
thanks don- took my new sun cat out today for the first trial run and it pours water up where the centerboard rope comes up anytime I am going over 4 mph or hit a small wave. Is this normal if so what is the fix for it?
I believe it is normal – mine does it also. Coincidentally, I’m currently working on a project that addresses the problem – a home made cockpit grate that keeps feet and lines dry on a raised cockpit floor!
That is normal, cockpit grate is the “fix” for it. You can also build up the pennant lead with teak blocks.
it is hard to beleive that Com-Pac would build such a great little boat and expect to have the passengers sit with wet feet. I could understand if it was just a little seepage;but to have plastic bottles floating around in the cockpit is a bit extream. This happens if I get over 4mph and when I hit a small wave. I am very disapointed with this boat now and if this is the way it is I will be loosing money getting into something else. Thanks
My feet stay dry with the teak cockpit grate installed, Lee. Try it, you’ll like it!
Lee: That much water flowing in does seem abnormal to me. Mine will “spurt” but the water is quickly evacuated by the scuppers. I did make my own teak grate however to stay dry. Talk to Hutchins about it, they are very helpful.
snug harbor got the leak down to a trickle and I can live with this, but it was floating coke bottles in the cockpit. The rear drain was stopped up and they put a oring betwen two washers under the cleat and this got the leak bearable. will try what you suggested. thanks
Echoing a hearty welcome. Lots of wisdom on the catboat forum of trailer sailor website.
I bought my first SunCat through Snug Harbor and towed it from there to Charlotte County.
http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/catboat/index.cgi
thanks for the great come-backs. My boat will be ready for sea trials this Friday and I will be getting to know my “Junay” this weekend. Don I want to see your lazy jacks, I read that they are a great help in getting the gaff down without problem. Will take any and all under-the -wing help- lee
Lee,
Best wishes this weekend for the beginning of a long and wonderful courtship with “Junay”. While the Lazy Jacks do help to control the main’sl while dousing, and the gaff’s final resting place, some of us have also added a gaff downhaul to coax a well-lubed but still reluctant gaff to come down when the halyards are released.
i will need the gaff downhaul as i see that the gaff is real slow and i had to pull down on the sail to get it moving down. I am going to oil all the wood and varnishing the tiller and waxing the wood inside the cabin. having the time of my life with this new cat.
Since the Suncats don’t have numbers on thier sails, how ’bout the so called race committee provide each registerd boat with a 2″ x 6′ different colored ribbon to be tied on to the top of the peak for identifaction? That is assuming the HJTIC isn’t color blind. I am going out on a limb and assuming he will supply each boat with a roster of all registered boats! We can all keep track of the winner.
Newer ones only have the Com-Pac logo on one side of the sail, so we’ll just call you double trouble, Butch!
Although my Suncat will not likely be the only one with a shiny green hull, you’ll be able to recognize “FRISKY” since it will probably be the only one flying a jib! (Already have an orange pennant flying from the gaff end.)
Don, you’re ruining the “Jib Trimmer” joke!
Jibs, Airfoils. That’s it. I’m ordering the Spiniker tomorrow!!
Butch, what’s this “ORDERING” stuff about. You mean to tell me you’re not going to try to make it yourself – that’s at least half the fun, in my opinion, of what this “messing about in (Sun Cat) boats” is all about. By the way, a good source for the rip-stop nylon you’ll need is Jo Ann Fabrics. My jib, complete with grommets, reinforced corners, all sewing, and tell tales was made out of White Polytarp by yours truly in just a day. It is, after all, a very small jib considering our very small foretriangle and shroud position. But, although small, the jib does help to shake out that first reef you’ve always got designed in the main’sl AT FULL HOIST.
Don, if you get far enough out in front, you won’t be able to hear the rest of us laughing at you doing all that work during tacks!
This is all getting too intense…I’m just going along for the sun…you guys can get all techie if you want.
That’s the spirit!
Jib Trimmer,
Just what sort of comments are you looking for on this site that would not be considered “getting too intense”, “all techie”, or deserving ridicule? New Owner Lee Richter sure sounded quite happy to receive some technical advice from several of us. PLEASE ADVISE. Otherwise, I’ll think twice about responding to comments in the future.
Me thinks HJT wants to keep this light here. I do believe coments are ment to be directed to ideas for the Nationals event. I do think to tecnical stuff should be left to the formal fourms shuch as TSBB Cat Boat Forum and Catboat Associations site. Just my opinion.
Just teasing you, Don! If you don’t want to be teased, don’t put a jib on a Sun Cat!
In cleaning out my sailing locker this weekend, I ran accorss a new jib from the Crab Claw. I got the tape measure out and dam if it wasen’t the right size to fit the Suncat. I gave it away to avoid any further temptation!
Yeah, jibs are fine, but it’s a pain in the neck to get someone to trim them.
I’ve been “messing about” for the last 4 years with my Crab Claw. I’m done with that. It’s time to stop working and start sailing. No spin for me. Too much work.
i am about the most excited kid on the block or lake and with the great help from all i have dry feet and have stayed out for three days and nights. this little cat is just what i needed and i am loving it! do not want a sail up front to have to work for my fun, already go too lazy for all that.
Hee hee! Glad you’re having fun, Lee!
does the local group sail most all week or does mother make you put up the toys and go to work? when i come down i plan to spend some time playing in you backyard for a few days if that will be ok. i would like to have some of you take me under your wing or sail if that would not be asking too much to show me some good safe places to drop anchor. we will have to think about getting the group to come up here sometime and sail on our lake lanier. i do tent camping in my sun cat and stay out for a few days and nights and realy have a ball. she is just right for two, but most of the time it is just me and the ducks and hoot owls. just like you all said,”i will love my little green Junay” and i am looking to see the mods that you have done to improve a great little boat.
Go to Trailer Sailer Catboat Forum and check out “Suncat mods”. Two postings with lots of pics. One of them is mine. Cayo Casta in Bocca Grand is the best overnight spot arouund here. Pelican Bay is the place. you can google it. A bit of a sail down the Harbor (about 25 miles). I am one of those who is told to go to work. Tom can entertain you during the week. I’ll take the weekend shift.
Some of each, Lee. Joe sails almost every day, and I expect Craig will too when his boat arrives (just after the Nationals, unfortunately.) Butch has to work, as he said, and I am self employed. I use my boats when the weather is nice and work when it is not. We’ll be happy to share our local knowledge so you can enjoy our area without running aground too many times. (If you don’t run aground at all, you have not been doing much exploring!)
It would be fun to have a herd of cats up on Lake Lanier! You’ll have to think up an event for us. The idea of a “National Championship” is already taken!
You can read about my Sun Cat Rigging Modifications on tropicalboating.com.
thanks for the come back. looking forward to checking out these local spots and getting out with all you sun catters.
Catnips got a brand new shine!
Gettin’ neady for the Nationals. 4 hours of buffin’, rubbin’ and shinin’ Catnip’s looking good.!!! Tomorrow we’ll finish the cabin top with the compound then give it a final polish and a wash job all over. Being a cheering section for the step son is hard work.
Ain’t she perty?? When I get the bottom to look like that she’ll be perty and FAST!! Well, as fast as a Suncat can be.
Planning to blind the competition with your shine?
The WCTSS is holding their annual rendezvous at Cayo Costa Nov. 11 – 14 the same weekend as the “Nationals”. I’ll be splitting my time between the two and arriving in time for the races on Saturday afternoon. I’ll also be staying on the hook that night near Laishley’s.
Darn! Another conflict I did not catch! Lazy jib trimmer that I am!
Just goes to show how much Charlotte Harbor has to offer!!
butch that is looking great…i had a great day on the lake Sunday with the winds running 20 gusting to 29 and i was caught out looking for a cove that would block that wind. i found out that with the sail reefed this cat still gets across the water real fast. what is the normal wind speed around Charlotte Harbor? my cat loves 5 to 10 with full sail, but i admitt i am just learning my boat and she tells me 20 mph is on the high side; is she right?
Summertime here the winds are 0-5 most of the time or 15-20 for a short time before the rain. Most of us don’t sail June-Sept. The rest of the time it’s steady winds with lost of 15-25 in the winter. I have only sailed my cat three times so I’m learning also. I’m told it becomes a livley sailboat at 15 and loves 20. I can’t wait.
The full sail upwind in 15 knots is fine, but more it becomes overpowered. Downwind you can carry the full sail in 20 knots.
out again today with sail reefed with the wind 20 gusting to 26 and had a great time. last weekend was wild due to all the big power boats chopping up the lake. still have a lot to learn and mod’s to do to my cat. thanks for the local info on the winds in your area. looking forward to next month more each day
need to have a telephone number for a point of contack when i get down to C/H. i plan to get there the afternoon of the 9th and start working on keeping water under my keel the rest of the week. where do i need to start out from and how hard is it to learn about tides; you know we do not have any on lake lanier…so i am the rookie for sure and do not want to find my Junay sitting on the sand or in the mud due to the tide going out.
Hi Lee, my cell is 941-628-5177 and email is jt@suncatnationals.com. You can find the google maps to our place and a couple of the area ramps here on the site. We don’t have a map to the Port Charlotte Beach Complex on here yet, but will put one. Butch is right about that being the best area ramp, but you do have to pay to park. Does your boat have bottom paint? A type that likes salt water? If so, you could leave your boat in the water the whole time. Just launch it here when the tide permits and it could stay on my neighbor’s dock, or you could get a slip at Laishley Marina. Looking forward to meeting you and having some Sun Cat sailing fun!
You want to look for the “Port Charlotte Beach Complex” on Harbor Blvd Port Charlotte. It’s the best ramp we have. Parking $.75 per hour. Free Parking at Lashley Marina across the bridge in Punta Gorda. Slipery ramp and a bitch when there is a fishing tourament in town. Tide chart here…http://www.saltwatertides.com/cgi-local/floridagulf.cgi. Harbor charts here…http://www.fishinfranks.com/ You can email me @ cavienp at embarq mail .com
thanks Butch, looking at tide charts i see there is more planing than just hooking up to the boat and going to the lake!! we have fun with fishing touraments here so i know what you mean with that
The tides will not bother you at any of the ramps except the one at Tom’s house. All the rest are just fine. Channel markings to the Harbor ar good for all. Not too many places you can run aground if you watch the water. I sail right past the shoal markers with no problem. Best Western has a dock for your Boat if you staying there. Banana Bay Motel in Port Charlotte side also has docks. Relitives stayed there and loved it. Pet friendly.
there is so much to explore in your area that i do not see how anyone could get bored. i do not have anti-fouling paint on my boat so i am planing to put a heavy coat of wax on her just before i come down. tom told me that a trip into fresh water helps to kill the critters that try to get a free ride so i will be exploring up river some. the best western sound like my home away from home.
Low bridge passage
Has there been a decision on a low bridge passage durning the Nationals?? If the decision is up for vote, I have been INSTRUCTED by my HJT to vote NO to an on water mast lowering. After 8 years of sailing, she still doesn’t have her water wings. She’s a good cook so I guess I have to keep her. How many boats are registered?
I don’t know how many have actually registered at this point. As for whether we’ll go under low bridges, I still want to, but maybe we can design a “special” race course where you can go under or go around at the captain’s choice.
Since I’ll be sailing solo, I tend to agree with your HJT. Like the idea of launching from Port Charlotte Beach complex, racing, hanging out there for our mutual inspections and admiration and then commuting to Tom’s for my medium rare. I’ve decided to forego the WCTSS’s Cayo Costa event that same weekend so I can devote undivided attention to this historic event.
We will have a couple of aspiring jib trimmers coming and looking to crew. I just want everyone to have fun, so we’ll do what sounds like fun!
Weather
Weather predictions for the Nationals is 6 with gusts to 12. Should be a very nice weekend. Nice weather for those sleeping on the boats.
Free dockage available at Laishley Marina for short term tie ups (not including overnight). Any catboaters who want to spend the night on board Saturday can anchor out in the Peace River and be ready to sail on Sunday morning. The area is on the long pier near the pump-out station at the marina.
2011 Sun Cat Nationals to be held Nov 5-6, 2011!