Yea, Jim
Nautical terminology.....
Yep, we sail monohulls, and have been for 36 or more years.
For the mono
hull,
catamaran question.
Monohulls do HEEL over, but much of the heel can be taken out, as well as the weather
helm ( boat tending to point up into the
wind ) by reefing down ( making the main sail flatter and smaller ).
Also, we roll in the
genoa sized
jib, down to 110%. Referred to as a "lapper ".
A 100%
jib would fill the forward triangle . ( the area between the
head ( jib) stay and the
mast ). A 110% overlaps that fore triangle ( at the
mast ) by 10% .
Hence " lapper " .
When we change the size of the jib down from a 150%
Genoa, to a 110%, we also have to move the sheet blocks up forward to maintain some proper shape to the jib, with the tension on the foot of the sail and the leach of the sail equal.
Also, in a good blow 15 mph of
wind or more, we will slide the reefed main sail traveler down to leeward, and " fall off a bit from close hauled to a very close reach ).
Sailing in the
BVI. Maybe 25 nm miles, with a few tacks up the Sir Francis Drake Channel, , Norman to Leverick Bay, Gorda Sound. May winds : 15 to 22 or so.
Jeanneau 36i, just the the two of us. We Alternate one hr,
helm watches,
We are double reefed, with the 110% " lapper" sized jib. The traveler down to leeward a bit, sailing on a close, close reach. That is called " footing off a bit . "
We have No , or very slight weather helm, the mono will be
tracking well, and the boat will have a minimum of heel. We are feeling great, hauling okole, making knots, with a bow and stern wave .
We love it !, We are sailing, and enjoying ever minute. I note our position on the paper chart every hour as well as when tacking or changing course . Pos, direction and speed, is noted on the chart, and written in the log. Along with the time, wind speed, point of sail, bilges checked,
battery charge, etc.
We are sailors, making good knots toward our
destination, even tho we have to tack a few times. Might even get into a bit of a
race, with another well sailed
monohull, just having more fun added to the over all sailing experience.
Catamarans:
The sea going , super spacious, condo maximals, are motoring, all
head full, some times with a main up, snugged up close to the island chain, auto pilot on, and party time . Our liquor locker is secured until we are moored, anchored or in a slip.
They are not heeling over, much more comfortable, lots more room.
The cat people feel more like they are at the St. Regis or Ritz Carlton , than beating to weather and hand
steering a
monohull while, standing up at the helm, and tacking, which adds in cutting the jib sheet, coming about, and winching it back in to the proper point of sail. And, changing the position of the traveler.
The only cats that I have motored , or sailed off the wind on, were the
kauai Island, Napali Coast tour, sea caves close up, snorkel, lunch, and maitai
charter boats. We very much enjoyed everyone one of those , many people, charters. Usually about 45 to 50 foot
LOA. Great and fun times.
Would we own, or bare boat a
Catamaran , swap out the monohull for a cat ?.
Nope, we would not. We love sailing and all that is required and experienced, and that means seamanship . All that is fun and what we crave. For us, it is more than point A to point B at warp speed on auto pilot.
Also, it is just Erica and I, and we can manage the tighter quarters of the 36 mono just fine.
We are comfortable with that. We sleep up in the V .berth, with the
hatch open, and can fall asleep looking at the magnificent night sky and constellations and stars. Also, no wave slap against the ama (
hull ) .
Also, we do not have , or need AC, in our berth area, the trades help us to be comfortable, with the over head
hatch cracked open. Yes, if a passing
shower sweeps over, I do have to reach up , close the hatch, and dog it down, but will open it back up, once the
shower has passed.
Moored in paradise :
We have picked up a
mooring, set double bridles to the
mooring eye, tie off the halyards, to keep them from clanking against the mast. I coil and make up all lines, and secure the
wheel to keep it from moving . We run the
engine at 1400 to 1500
RPM to charge up the
batteries. That is our major
fuel use, only 7 to 8 gals, in two weeks.
How much are the
fuel bills for a 45 ft catamaran ?
After arrival, Erica , opens up the hatches to keep the main
salon and berths cool and pleasant.
She, cranks on the Jimmy Buffet , or
steel drum
caribbean C.D, and creates our
Rum drinks. THE PARTY LIGHT IS NOW LIT.
We are snugged into the
cockpit, enjoying the anchorage views and haps.
Back to the Cats :
We look over at the Catamaran's , they have done a nice job picking up their mooring.
The
family and friends are lounging all about, in the huge living and relaxing
cabin area. Probably called a living room. They are out on the aft
deck ( patio ), or up on the tamp, soaking up the rays, or swimming with their noodles around the boat.
Looks like fun to us, lots of room, lots of loved ones and friends, and that is a pretty great way to enjoy the
BVI, or any anchorage.
Also, a big plus for the Cat, is the two engines which are a god send when
docking side to , in an off the
dock wind . Or anytime.
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Is there any chance of us, switching to a Catamaran , should I get too old and creaky, and not be able to safely handle a sailing vessel in all conditions.
Shhhhhhhh ! Keep this on the down lo.
Well, yes, but , it probably would not be a sailing cat. If it has mast, we feel it should be sailing. So, dare I say it ?. " If we were to change to a Catamaran, it would be a small, 38 ft or abouts,
POWER CAT ! No mast. More room than a monohull sailing vessel. Besides, most sailing cats we see are motoring and not sailing.
Lordy, I would be a Catamaran /
Power Boater ! May the sailing gods forgive me, while Erica is pouring the
rum and putting on the
music. The happy times are on !
I guess, as to which vessel to chose, that is totally up to what makes you, and your sailing companion feel good. it is your choice , and your boat.
)
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