I've sailed alot of boats over the years.  Each has their own characteristics and is suited to a unique spectrum of sailing.  Some are better for light wind, some heavier winds, some turn quicker while others sail faster and so on.  The boat you get really depends on you, your skill level and physical attributes and where you will predominatntly sail.  And so its hard to pick a favourite, and in an ideal world you would have several boats for the various conditions you would sail in.

I actually got to see a SmartKat this weekend which was great because when I started this business I secured SmartKat distribution rights but then relinquished them because they were not agreeable to me carrying MiniCat's or other catamarans, so seeing one in person for the first time satisfied my curiosity about the brand.  So I went on to focus on MiniCat and other brands instead like Tiwal and XCAT.

MiniCat's come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and configurations which was one of the things that drew me towards the brand.  This way I could own and provide a different boat to different people depending on their conditions, circumstances and environment.

In Toronto we are not graced with strong winds and more often than not we suffer through light wind doldrums.  The MiniCat 460 has a much bigger sail area and is boomless like the Olympic Nacra boats making it ideal for these conditions.  It's long and narrow airplane wing-like sail is great at harnessing light wind yet still staying controlled in heavier winds and gists.  The boom-less design is clean, safe and efficient.  Even though 20-30% bigger than the 420 it is only about 5% heavier overall.  This boat was flying in the lightest of breeze.

I also liked that it turned incredibly easy for a catamaran.  The blades on the bottom of the hull are nicely  positioned in the middle which provides an effective pivot point making tacks fast, effortless and consistent.  Turns also take place in tight, short radius and had their been waves it would have been effective in catching and riding surf.  The blades are also a decent enough size that it points well, but I found that tweaking the rig tension got the jib luff tauter and able to point even better.

I also like the way the hulls bend and absorb the chop.  It gives a lot of confidence knowing you are unlikely to pitch pole but also makes the ride very comfortable and stable.  By reducing bounce it is very effective in maintaining laminar air flow over the sail.  I find many rigid hulled boats bounce in the chops and wind flow stalls making sailing slow and tacking arduously difficult.  Some cats actually require you to sail backwards to tack them in certain conditions.  In the MiniCats I am able to tack while maintain excellent speed.

I didn't get to try the downwind genoa but can't wait to do so.  Most boats do not perform well further a lee than a broad reach but adding an asymmetrical sail does wonders... and the MiniCat 460 is the only portable sailboat that offers this feature.  I imagine the experience will be exhilarating in the least.

I also love the build quality.  The tolerances are incredibly tight a sign of the manufacturer's 10 years of experience in designing and building portable sailboats.  The components are top quality throughout and easy to rig, adjust, use and maintain.  There are a couple of things I would have done differently but then again I am also an engineer at heart and have an opinion on how I would have done everything or anything differently.  The 460 is a great boat over all and built very well.

The cleats are abundant and positioned well well to be handy and effective.  All lines were neatly laid out and stowed.  There is a pouch and tie down spots for your lines making the sailing environment clean and well organized.  The hiking straps are nylon mesh like and I do wish they were padded for that extra comfort but they were adjustable and worked well.  I love getting my feet under the straps and leaning backwards, arching my back to dunk my upside down head in the water as I sail and the straps provided me the sure footing needed to do this maneuver.

I didn't get to try righting her from a capsize but I think the kiting lines will be effective as they come from around the hull and appear as if they would provide excellent leverage.  I do wish MiniCat had a mast head float option though.  However you should be able to rig a pool noodle to the top of the sail as a custom mod for this purpose.

This boat is very light and I was able to rig, launch and sail her solo but ideally it is intended for double handing.  If you are smaller in stature or have less experience you should go with the 420 or 310.  But for me, the 460 was great.  I sailed the 460 in light to moderate winds and while the sail shape is great at spilling wind and handling gusts all sails have wind ranges, so solo sailing in heavier winds using this larger sail may not be ideal even though the boat does come with a jib furler.  So if you sail in very windy places like Chicago or South Africa, the 420 might be the better choice for you.

One option is you own several boats so you can sail in different conditions, but this is not feasible for most people.  The dream of one boat for all conditions is an elusive one.  So to address this I did something unique, I rigged the 420 sail and boom on the 460 to see if it would work.  Why?  Simple really, in heavier wind days I could just use a smaller sail and maybe achieve the dream of 1 boat for most or all conditions.

Let's be clear, the manufacturer does not recommend this but I wanted to try for myself ... and ... it worked!  Next I want try the 310 sail but I don't foresee any issues there either.  I did this because I wanted to see if I could only own and travel with just 1 boat... could I own a 460 with 3 different sails for different conditions - and I think I can.

Again -- this is not recommended by the manufacturer who does not certify it for this use but me personally, for myself only, I believe one of the things about owning boats, cars or other gear is tinkering and trying new things.  With proper caution of course and while accepting responsibility for one's owns actions, this is how innovation happens.  Im sure the Wright brothers used wheels from bicycles that were not certified for other uses.  So if this is something you try please understand you do so of your own accord, at your own risk and accepting responsibility for your own actions.  Neither myself, Mystic Point Water Sports or the manufacturer, MiniCat, are responsible for how you use or rig your boat and litigiously speaking you should follow all instructions and you are responsible for your own actions.

So for myself, talking responsibility for my own actions, this is something I wanted to try.  Ive tweaked many boats and have always looked to ways I can enhance the experience.  If it works, the ability to use different sails on my 460 would give me 1 boat that I can use in a variety of conditions!  Needless to say - I love this idea.

At the end of the day so much of life is compromise and rarely is there a one thing does it all product... In bikes you have road, mountain, hybrid, wide wheels, etc.  In kiteboarding or windsurfing you have a quiver of gear to lug around.  In Skiing you have powder skiis, slalom skiis, etc.  By experimenting with different sails my goal is to have one boat with many sails that I can take with me anywhere and sail in a wide range of conditions.  And I think I found the solution!

Again this is my solution, if you want to do this it is at your own risk.  But i intend to try this over the next few years and over a variety of conditions so that I realized my dream and have my one boat for the widest range of possibilities.  Few other sailboats offer that level of flexibility!

So because I can do this and sail in a variety of wind and water conditions, and because the MiniCat 460 is light and I am able to solo it or bring friends aboard, and because it sails so beautifully, comes with a jib furler and has a genoa option and trapeze wire option, and because I can attach a motor for emergency backup or use it as a motorboat on its own, and because I can add inflatable seats for extra comfort and a front tramp to stow additional gear, and because i can pack it in 2 or 3 bags and take it with me for the weekends or on road trips, this is my favourite MiniCat!

We are happy to announce that we now carry HQ PowerKites.  HQ is one of the original names in foil kites and they have been around since before Kiteboarding was a thing.  Ironically HQ was late to the game to make Kiteboarding specific kites but they have since made up for lost time with some great models.  We are in the process of updating our site with their full product range but for now we wanted to get their trainer kites up in our store HERE.  Summer is in full swing and if you want to get into kiteboarding or are just looking for a fun kite to fly at the beach or the park, HQ makes arguably the best trainer kites out there.  Read on for a quick INTRO TO KITES and KITING and how to select the perfect TRAINER KITE for you.  HQ Kites are fun on their own and not just for kiting, and you probably have seen them at your local beach.

What are TRAINER KITES:

• The term "TRAINER KITE" was coined when kiteboarding became a reality.  Kiteboarding is all about harnessing the wind as a means of propulsion through which you could ride a board, buggy boat, anything really through land, snow, sea and air.  Trainer kites were simply smaller steerable kites that let you gradually learn the skills needed to control bigger kites that could be used for kiteboarding.  As the sport evolved kiteboarding branched off into kitesurfing, snow kiting, kite buggy, kite sailing, etc... and is still evolving.  But what hasn't changed is still the need to start small and gradually learn the skills necessary to ride the wind.
• Kites come in many SHAPES, STYLES and CONFIGURATIONS.  You might be most familiar with triangular or "delta" shaped kites which are often mounted on a light weight frame of wood or plastic and flown using a single line.  If the wind is heavy they fly on their own no problem but on lighter days you might need to build some artificial wind to get the kite up in the sky where the wind is usually a little stronger.  Imagine the iconic image of children running through a field holding a line to get the kite in the air.  This idyllic type of kiting is fun yet serene and tranquil as they lack steering control and offer a passive experience.  Single Line kites can take many shapes, "box kites" being among them and are sometimes adorned with beautiful yet functional tails.  They have been around for thousands of years and you still see them gracefully adorning the sky at beaches and parks around the world and putting smiles on the faces of young and old alike.
• Active kites have 2 or more lines and let you dynamically steer the kite through the sky making them a much more engaging experience.  Steering the kites can actually make them fly faster and is accompanied by the swoosh of air over these beautiful objects.  These also come in a variety of shapes but are a little less diverse than single line kites.
• 2 Line models let you steer left and right.  3 line models are essentially 2 line kites but with a safety line so if the kite gets pulled out of your hand it will safely fall from the sky and not get blown away.  4 Line kites offer multiple axis of movement and control and can be used to steer the kite left and right as well as changing their "angle" which allows for backwards movement or pausing and holding in place.  Before kiteboarding was invented 4 line kite shows and competitions were quite common.  They still exist today but have been upstaged in popularity by kiteboarding.
• Kites used for recreational flying rather than as a means of propulsion are often termed "Power Kites", "Traction Kites" or "Trainer Kites".  If your goal is to kiteboarding you need to start small and learn to steer and control the kite and work your way up to bigger kites, hence the term "Trainer".
• Power/Traction/Trainer kites also refer to their shape which is also known as a "foil" kite.  Foil kites do not use a frame and use the wind passing through them to hold their shape.  Open foil will get water logged and not be able to relaunch, closed cell offer some water relaunching ability.  Most kites used for kiteboarding or kitesurfing have an inflatable component (edge or struts) and are referred to as LEI's (Leading Edge Inflatable) and by their shape (Bow, C, Hybrid... more on that another time) 
• When wind doubles, force quadruples.  Also, when the size of the kite, sail or wing doubles, the force quadruples.  The science behind this is known as Bernoulli's principle and is the same bit of physics that allows planes to fly.  What it means is kites can be powerful.  You need to start small, use the right size for the conditions, and gradually learn the skills, techniques and muscle memory needed to handle kite sports.
• Kiteboarding kites use 4 or 5 lines.  The "front" lines pass through a control bar and attach to a harness which is mounted to the user/rider.  This is where the weight is supported.  If kiteboarding relied on arm strength you couldn't ride for more than a few minutes.  What this means is that anyone can learn to kiteboard as it does not require upper body strength.  The control bar is where the rear lines attach and is only used for steering and control.  In fact kiteboarding kites tout the lack of bar pressure as one of their features.  But to learn to use 4 or 5 line kites you need to start with 2 line kites.
• 2 Line kites are often on a bar and let you steer the kite through the sky providing a much more dynamic experience.  They come in a variety of sizes and when the wind picks up you can really feel the pull.  These types of kites are most often referred to as "TRAINER KITES" because they allow you to begin your journey towards learning to kiteboarding.  Starting with a 2 line kite is essential.  2 Line kites can also be used just for fun and recreational flying on days where there isn't enough wind to kiteboarding or by your partner while you are out kiting provided they do not kite themselves ;)
• Also, ALWYAS get a 2 line kite with a safety leash or a 3 line kite so that if the kite ever gets pulled out of your hands it will not fly off and get lost or hurt someone and it will fall safely out of the sky.
• Once you learn the skills needed to a 2 line kite, you can then progress to a 4 or 5 line kite but at that point you will need a harness.
• A Note About SIZE:
• You want the sweet spot.  Too small and you will be limited in what days you can fly your trainer and you will not get a lot of "feel" even on the windy days.  Too big and you may not be able to hold the kite on windier days.  The best is to have 2 or more which covers you for a variety of wind ranges - this is called a "quiver".
• If you only have a budget for 1 trainer kite then I recommend a 2.5 or 3m size as this is right in the middle and suitable for most people and most conditions.
• Bigger sizes are better for light to moderate winds and can offer a great kiting experience on days when its too light to actually kiteboard but they may be a little too powerful for those you may leave on the beach to fly the trainer while you are out on the water.  They are also a lot more expensive.
• One of the reasons people take lessons is so that they do not have to buy a series of 2 and 4 line trainer/progression kites to learn the sport.  The lessons take them to the point where they can ride on their own and then they buy their kiteboarding kites and boards.  However, most people get a trainer anyways as its fun to play with when you can't kiteboard and its great to do with friends and family.  Trainers are small and just a neat thing to have.

HQ makes arguably the BEST trainers in the world.  They come in a diverse line up so I thought I'd summarize the range to help you select.

• FLUXX:  The entry level trainer, a cost effective way to begin your journey.  Be sure to add the safety strap, an essential tool to build muscle memory and learning to simply "let go" when you need to.
• RUSH V:  A more modern design with fewer/cleaner bridles and a refined feel closer to that of a kiteboarding kite.  S step above the Fluxx.
• RUSH V PRO:  The quintessential kiteboarding trainer kite.  This is the perfect 2/3 line kite to learn steering and control basics.  It comes with a safety line which is essential to build emergency response technique and ensure your kite doesn't fly away when released.  This is the kite we recommend most for starters.
• RUSH V PRO SCHOOL:  Similar to the RUSH V PRO but with 4 lines instead of two.  4 line kites mirror all the axis of movement of a full bore kiteboarding kite in a package small enough to be safe for beginners in moderate wind conditions.  It's best to start with 2 lines and then move up to 4.  4 also requires the use of a harness which is sold separately.
• HYDRA II:  This is a very refined and very powerful 2/3 line trainer that is capable of water relaunching.  2 lines refers to the steering control and the 3rd line being the safety line.  If price is no object then this is a level above the RUSH V PRO.
• SQOUT 3:  A powerful, tuneable 2/3 line kite that comes in bigger sizes than our other trainers.  Tune ability comes at a price.  If you like flying power kites for their own sake and not just for "training" then this kite will offer years of enjoyment.

80% of the time I recommend the RUSH V PRO as the initial 2 line trainer for land use.  If you live near a giant shallow water area then using a trainer in the water is fun, in which case I would then recommend the Hydra II which is the same as the RUSH V PRO but closed cell.  These are both 2/3 line models and are the place to start.

The next step in your progression is a small 4 line LEI or FOIL trainer.  BUT this adds a lot of power and technique and means you are now physically strapped into your kite ... so I recommend taking lessons at this point and not trying it on your own first.  At the end of the lessons you will not even need to purchase a 4 line trainer.  Also, many people have been hurt skipping steps on their journey towards learning to kiteboard, If you want to kite safely do it the right way, start with a 2 line trainer and take lessons.

My name is Ivano, I am a certified Kiteboarding instructor and have been flying and designing kites since 1989 and Sailing, Windsurfing and Kiteboarding since 2003.  Contact me HERE if you have any questions.  Thanks for reading.

Aloha

Hopefully we get some wind soon!

Learning to sail is one of the best things you can ever do in life whether for you or for your kids (if you have any).  I've been meaning to write a post on this topic for a while now and I've also spoken to some friends and colleagues to create a series of instructional videos and tutorials because I love teaching others this amazing experience.  I have always said I love teaching as much as doing.  Sharing your knowledge with others is one of the greatest things you can do in life.

I haven't had the chance to follow up on this yet, but as if the universe was reading my mind, yesterday I received an email from someone who wrote an article on just this topic.  Her name is Jen Miller and she has an great website called Jen Reviews which provides honest reviews and in depth articles on a variety of subjects and products.  She appreciated using some of our posts for her research and in turn wanted to share her article to our readers and subscribers and Im happy to do so.  So for people learning to sail, here is a great read for you:

https://www.jenreviews.com/how-to-sail/

Enjoy!

I often get asked what accessories I would recommend.  I wrote an article about boater safety (HERE) in which I included a section on this but I thought it was worth making a separate post.  If you can recommend any more please feel free to share in the comments section below.  And if you enjoy these posts don't forget to subscribe to our RSS feed and Facebook Page (HERE) so you know as soon as we pos any thing new.

Here we go:

• Handy Spare Parts and Accessories:
  • Wind Flag or other indicators.  I like to tie yarn or magnetic tape to my shrouds, length and weight makes a big difference, too heavy, too short or too long and it will not fly true in light wind.  Some boats like Tiwal's or Lasers do not use shrouds and have slip on sail - for these you can buy a wind indicator that straps on to the base of the mast and is really handy.  Some boats such as MiniCat's and X-Cat's can have top of the mast wind flags.  Wind here tends to be cleaner but it is sometimes harder to see especially with the sun.
  • Tell-Tales.  If your sail does not come with tell-tales you can easily buy a kit and put some on yourself.  Tell tales will help you get that try just right and optimize laminar air flow.
  • Electric Inflation Pump - A manual pump gives a good workout but I like to preserve my energy for sailing, kiting and Paddling.  Plus it saves time and can be more compact to carry than a manual pump and has a pressure gauge so you get it just right every time.  The best are portable rechargeable with backup connectors for car lighter sockets and home plugs.  Be careful though because you want to make sure the pump is two stage and does high volume/low pressure and High Pressure/Low Volume.  Also read the instructions because pumps tend to have continuous operating time restrictions and overheat easily.
  • A beach dolley makes bringing your Sailboat, Kayak or SUP to an from the water easy for solo adventuring and helps extend the life of your product by minimizing dragging.  Buy one specifically designed for your gear as they do not really work otherwise.
  • Boat Cover.  If you have a cottage or are camping and can keep your boat and gear rigged then why not, that way you can just use it right away.  Our products are UV Resistant but a cover will help extend their life and keep the surface cleaner and free of tree sap and other debris.
  • A front trampoline.  If you own a catamaran, a front trampoline is a great accessory to give you additional space to store more gear and make your sailing area cleaner.
  • Backup Engine. Some sailboats, kayaks and even SUPs have options to attach a gas or electric motor.  This can be handy if the wind dies down or if you want to use your craft in another manner.
  • Rope and Shock Cord!
  • Carabiners and Speed Clips and a couple of pins or cleats that may be common to your boat.
  • A maintenance kit with Towel and Windex to clean and dry your waterspouts [roduct at the end of a session.
  • A D-Ring and Glue Kit - I like to add extra D-Rings to an inflatable boat to give me more tie down points to attach things like rope, bags, water bottles.
  • Waterproof radio.  I personally like the sound of wind and waves and take a break from music and media.  But if you like your session to have a soundtrack then there are lots of great waterproof speakers out there.  Get one that is fully waterproof and has rope attachment points.
  • Cameras, Go-Pros.  These are awesome for making some memorable videos you can watch during the off season or share with your social network.  For best results move them to different spots regularly and pull out a long selfie stick or attach to the end of a paddle for the occasional shot.  I always forget my camera which is a shame because Ive missed capturing some amazing moments.  Also, now they have drones and cameras that can be rigged on land that follow you!  Just make sure your drone is waterproof!
  • Smaller or Bigger Sail.  Some boats can accommodate different sizes of sails.  Having a quiver of sails will expand the useable wind range of your sailboat so you can go out on days you normally would not have.
  • Wind meters can be helpful to know what size sail or kite to rig.  There's even apps that can measure wind based on microphone sound but having never used one myself I don't know how well they work.
  • Roof racks and cargo boxes can be a handy way to transport your gear without taking up in car space.
  • Hyrdo-phobic coatings.  Some people coat their hulls with environmentally safe super water repelling coatings to squeeze every last drop of speed out of their boats.
  • Mast Floats - Help prevent turtling and make righting easier.  There is a technique to righting a turtled catamaran that is very unique but can take time.  One sailing spots have a lot of hazards.  To reduce righting time and prevent turtling mast floats are essential in these environments.
  • Down wind sails.  No boat travels well down wind without a special sail like a Genoa or Spinnaker.
  • Kites.  Some people launch their kite form their Kayak for a unique sailing experience.
  • Backup Floats.  Training wheels for SUPs that provide additional stability.  Some kayak's have these as well and they are really handy for tippy conditions or larger riders.
  • Bumpers.  Rigid boats damage easily so padding and bumpers can help protect your investment even if they do look like a boat diaper.
  • Hyrdo Foils - whether for boats, SUPs, engines, kite boards or surf boards, will add another level to your on water experience.  But these are relatively new and still on the expensive side.
  • Beach Chair, umbrella, beach tent and portable hammock.  Not all your time is on the water, so be prepared when you get to shore.  You  will need some shade and nothing beats a nap in a portable hammock that you can tie around some trees!
  • Harness and Trapeze Wires for boats that have this option there is nothing quite like hanging out over the edge.
  • Harness and Trapeze Wires for boats that have this option there is nothing quite like hanging out over the edge.

If you haven't received your MiniCat yet here's some photos and videos to get you excited!  If you have received your MiniCat feel free to share your videos and we will post them onto our website!

We've sold out of our 2016 Tiwal Demo's and to be we we will likely never have them listed for 30% off again.  We wanted to get as many boats on the water this year as possible and demand has been incredible.  We know the more people that see these boats in action, the more people will want them.

While it's too late to get a demo you can still get a new 2017 Model fro 10% off.  Hurry this sale ends at the end of January!

We also have a 2016 MiniCat 310 Sport Demo in Yellow for 30% off left.  Hurry this deal will not last long!  Prefer a new MiniCat, for the month of July we have 7% off!

Sorry friends our X-Cats are not currently on sale but if you want one before the end of summer you should put your order i soon.  The factory has been swamped with orders especially after the Wall Street Journal article and wait time to get a new model will only get longer.  

So take advantage of these great deals and be sure to get the most out of your summer!