Coming soon... My life as a Londoner out on the water. Featuring catamarans, kayaks and paddle boards.
I'm no pro. Nor am I sporty. In fact, I'm pretty new to it all. But I'm loving the thrill of mixing it with my daily urban life. As is my dog.
I'll be sharing short stories of my mini adventures on stretches of water close to home. And all from the perspective of someone just starting out, battling an aching ageing body, and overcoming bad technique!
Thanks, was an incredible experience. I’ll be making another behind the scenes film of the full week at one point - so much more to show - so watch this space.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks, it’s a great suit. It’s a Typhoon Max B branded Neil Pryde (version no longer sold). Latest Max B has some improvements. Pricey but very well made, robust and a super comfortable piece of kit for sailing and multi sports. Easy in and out. Really useful pockets. I love the high neck warmer (which can roll away) and cuffs for when bitingly cold and windy.
Definitely can get the hull flying, but it’s not like a Hobie 16, as has skegs on each hull. And Hobie has shaped hulls. Skegs slightly resist wanting to fly, so it takes some extra skill keeping it flying completely out of water for long lengths of time. E.g. I might have it flying for 10s, but someone with more skill could have it flying 30s. Ideally, you really want to be skimming the hull anyway for best performance (whether on a a Minicat or Hobie).
@@lannyonthewater good to know. That explains why there are no videos of anyone flying the hull 16-style. I know it is not the fastest most efficient way to sail, but it is just fun, specially with newbie. Thanks for the info.
The tracker said 3.7 miles, and paddling 1hr 40. That included stop offs. Was into the wind at some points though. A calm day and would be over too quick!
Nice - looks like fun. Is that a sail-mounted float visible at 1:20 and again at 1:31? If so, it's much neater than the mast head versions... I wondered how are the halves connected, and does it interfere with rolling the sail?
Well observed! The float is brilliant. I’m not keen on the mast head ones (mostly because of looks 😂) but also, right at the top, despite being reasonably lightweight, conventional mast floats still add some extra heft due to leverage if you’re sailing solo like me. But this float on the sail itself works perfectly. It’s nicer looking, super light and doesn’t get in the way at all. I can roll the sail up easy. But I do unclip it when stowing sail in bag. It’s made by and for X-cat. It comes in two halves and you thread a strap through eyelets at the top of your mainsail. (That’s the only nuisance - you need to put two eyelets in your sail). Not difficult though. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Great video! Maybe that was what was needed to get me one of those! Thought of it several times, however still hesitant cause of the Can-this-be-taken-seriously-feeling. Answer: "Probably yes!"😅
I had the same thoughts as you when saw it, but it is awesome. A bit like iSUPs these days, technology has made the need for hard boards just necessary for high level completions etc. You really don’t sacrifice much for the convenience. But you gain so much from its packability and lightness. If you’re in doubt, watch this space, as I will properly be putting this through some seriously harsh conditions. All will be revealed soon!
Awesome! That wasn’t Datchet was it? I am hesitant getting the code0 for my minicat 420 evoke, I have a gennaker already and thoroughly happy with it. What do you think?
Tricky. The gennaker and rolling genna are quite different in Minicat. I find the gennaker quite an intimidating beast, loads of fun but stressful to use. Easy to get tangled, so many ropes to lay out well and constantly tidy up. And demands more skill to fly it, and potential to dip bow and get in trouble, and the constant fear that have to get it all back in snuffer on the correct side - what if it snags. And if you capsize with it out, a painful affair sorting out in the water. At the same time, you really feel the power and it helps massively on what is usually a more bland point of sail. This is mostly from a ‘solo’ perspective. If crew with, then they make life easier. The rolling genna, is completely different. It is sooooo easy. No sweat when solo. Just open it out instantly much like the jib and furl back in within seconds. Quite versatile in its point of sail too, downwind and a little upwind too. But it lacks the exhilaration of the gennaker. And it doesn’t fly as well completely downwind in the same way gennaker does. For ease and relaxation, no question the genna is way to go for most people, and makes sense why Minicat introduced it. Works very well in very little wind too. But for reward and technical skill, the gennaker is superior. Hope that helps. In summary, genna is slightly bland in comparison to gennaker, but convenience to fly it and setup outweighs this negative.
The front wheels are Minicat’s own accessory. It’s one rod in two parts, that connects to V shaped mounts that allow space for Minicat’s skeg/fins on the hull. This is good as can get wheels more central for weight balance. Makes boat feel lighter pushing. I also have the rear ones as it’s a very long walk up that hill from car park, so anything to help my back! (Those, I also use for kayaking).
