Lite Air SC 17 Day

[fjviola]

Solo sailing my 2nd Supercat 17 on a lite air day off Texas City Dike in Galveston Bay, Texas in April of 2012. Just a few weeks before she broke in-half from too many days in 'heavy air' ...
Yes, 'OK' to critique the skipper's trapping techniques .. or lack-there-of ..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl6jmDvM ... e=youtu.be

franklin VIOLA

[Kevin Keller]

Sorry to hear it broke. Did the hulls show any sign of delamination prior to it breaking?

Kevin

[fjviola]

Kevin
Yes, there was a problem developing where the starboard hull attached to the forward crossbar. Hull actually 'folded under' the boat and we could have made it back to the beach. Then I made the mistake of furling the jib sail which in reality was keeping the hulls pointed 'forward'. She split apart almost instantly.
Both SC17's I broke in half (yes, TWO) were built 'before' Supercat construction changed to 'epoxy' resin (1986). The 'yellow' SC17 in the video is circa 1989 and is still sailing strong. We took her to 20 knots just 2 years ago.
Rest of the story involves a 'long' discombobulated afternoon with the USCG that resulted in complete destruction of the remaining SC17 parts with very little salvaged ...
Yet, SC17's (ARC) are the best choice for the sloppy seas we encounter here on the Gulf, as well as in the Bay. Well, except for my ARC21 which is like driving a Cadillac!
franklin

[Mac M]

Thought I'd throw a picture up of our 17 at Sail the Bay in Virginia Beach this year. We sold the boat after the race, and are now about to launch an '89 SC19XL with a self tacking jib..

[fjviola]

Excellent Mac! Glad to see you got 'some' use out of the Sails.
Looking forward to seeing your 'form' on SC19XL!
franklin
photo@violaphoto.com

[ultrarunner]

Excellent Mac! Glad to see you got 'some' use out of the Sails.
Looking forward to seeing your 'form' on SC19XL!
franklin
photo@violaphoto.com

Nice. You're doing better than the Cat behind you...

[Mac M]

Didn't do better much longer, we actually pitch poled it going down wind! I had told my wife earlier that we didn't need to worry about that on a SC haha. There were a lot of capsizes that day.

[fjviola]

Mac, if you find a 'good condition' (1987 or older) SC17 during your extraordinary ability to 'find' Supercats, please send one down here to Panama. No worries if you and wife test "dive" it first
franklin
photo@violaphoto.com

[Mac M]

I've got an '84 17 in my back yard that I bought a few weeks ago, it needs some parts though. Have some extra sails as well. I know where another one is that would complete it.

[fjviola]

Mac, I have been burned twice by fiberglass resin SC's (older than '86) so NO thanks. I simply push the 'old' ladies way too hard
Not sure if Tom has already sold their ARC 'benchmark' 17, but he sent me photos earlier this year and it looks Mint Mint!
Somebody on this forum must surely be looking for a New 17 and that one would definitely be a cat for generational use.
franklin
photo@violaphoto.com

[Mac M]

You must have meant 87 or NEWER in your previous post then