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The Boat index
Cruising
Tactics and Rules
Rigging and
Tuning
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One of Catapult's great advantages is
its ease of handling off the water, making it a true single-hander for racing or
cruising, allowing easy catamaran sailing almost anywhere in the UK.
(Above: Stuart at
Bassenthwaite shows how. )
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The two beach wheels slide down the
centreboard slots. Rigging, the boat is lifted briefly each side
to lock these in. Coming ashore, they insert while the boat is floating.
Carrying the two small wheels on board when
cruising easily allows landing
almost anywhere (and is reassuring heading off around
the Isle of Sheppey for the September long-distance race)
(Of course there is no need for a beach trailer, nor road
trailer, below.)
(See also:
Lifting the hulls)
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With
Catapult being so light, and the maximum hull buoyancy well aft, it is
easy to lift most of the boat onto the beach, and the tough
inflatable hulls can sit on sand or stones, or a slipway.
The boats will sit comfortably at the
edge of the water between races or during a cruising lunch.
Here, right,
at Bassenthwaite, they have been lifted, sterns still floating,
and landed on the bank.
(See also:
Puncture-proof
wheels
Sand friendly auxiliary wheels)
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(Above: The Bassenthwaite Bank Holiday has brought out a display of rigs---three with the newer Roundhead sail, two coloured TI rigs,
and a Classic (nearest) set up for cruising and playing,
rigged with the jib.) |
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Left: Catapult ready to go at
Carsington, on a
small car, the rest of the boat inside.
A small car can drive at full
motorway speed and the roof load is below 40kg.
A caravan can be towed, or the boat put up onto
a motor-home, so there is no restriction getting to any racing
or cruising water.
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These
pictures helpfully show what you can do if you have two
Catapults and one car (left)
Alternatively (below) if you have one Catapult and no car, you
can bike to the (nearby) water.
It nicely highlights how a 5-metre racing boat emerges from
a small kit. It also gives a good picture of the beach wheels in
place in the
centreboard slots, in an unusual use.
(Click
for The Boat index )
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