Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and guidance. Much appreciated. After looking around a bit, I found my options were pretty much limited to the 14'. We live in northern Ontario, at the intersection of Lake Superior, Michigan and Huron. Though there are many superb opportunities of excellant sailing here, there are no boats. The 14 was all I could find without treking far afield, and I didn't have time for that.
But, I took the advice and took the kids to see the boat and go for a ride. They were thrilled beyond my expectations. They wouldn't stop talking about it and insisted we get the boat. We've used it a great deal since getting it and I have no regrets at all about getting it.
Sure, there would be great advantages to a 16' given my height and weight, but the 14' is roomy enough and bouyant enough to support the three of us. I even had me and three kids on it, and it was great. And it will be perfect for these guys, who are only 7 and 9, to manage on their own next year after enough practice with me.
Though big water is within reach, we live on the St. Mary's River (connecting Superior, Michigan and Huron) and it's pretty sheltered, making it great for seaplane operations but lousy for good sailing. The winds are pretty light and variable, competing with a strong river current; but I swear the Cat is incredibly responsive and scoots on the lightest breaze. It opens up all kinds of opportunities for sailing which simply would not exist with a monohull.
Yes, I miss the jib, and tacking is a challenge. But this is a good challenge for the kids to work with and develope skills to move on with.
Someone above asked what we fly. It's a Lake LA4-200, a perfect amphibious plane for getting in and out of metro cities' airports from our remote corner, and still be able to sneak into a remote lake for swimming or fishing on our way home from work. Despite the opportunities and thrills with flying, the kids would now rather sail!
Thanks again for all your excellant advice and guidance. We'll be monitoring the forums and learning from them.
|