1987 43' Catana

[Askeeta]

https://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for...tana-43/217878
Rigging 12yo
Engines 3500-4000hrs, no meter
Survey 2017
Was British Registered, no current
Cannot find anything about Catana or Crowther '87 43'
Interested in initial observations, reservations, condemnations,

[Sos]

Looks like a capable and quick cruising boat that is well maintened.
I think you will need to replace the rigging if 12 years old, for peace of mind and maybe insurance requirements.

[Sand crab]

It may be a Crowther 85. That was probably his most popular design and started at 43' and was stretched all the way to 49' with tons of variants and modifications. I think Catana only started building in 1984 so this was very early for them and they might have used stock plans. A few years later I think they commissioned Lock to do their specific lineup. Lotsa info on the 85 out there.

https://www.multihullcentral.com/veh...i/#prettyPhoto

[Sand crab]

And the boat in question:

[Askeeta]

Thankyou Sandcrab and SOs
SC what was the laminating like in early models,any known or reputed issues?
Was it French built then are you thinking?
Thanks again

[admiralslater]

This is the type of boat I tell my friends to look for , know designer, well maintained, apears to be well built and equipped. Because of the way the multihulls entered the world of sailing there are a lot of well built one offs (and poor).
We looked at a one off Crowther 47 ,it ultimately was the wrong boat for us but the price was half of a simlar production boat .
Survey od course

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by Askeeta

Thankyou Sandcrab and SOs
SC what was the laminating like in early models,any known or reputed issues?
Was it French built then are you thinking?
Thanks again

It's the only one I have ever seen so it might be cold molded with strip plank and epoxy like so many one offs. That's just a guess. But they did start building in France in '84 with a very small output I suspect.

[Askeeta]

SC They say in description it is No 2 l sssume out of mould.Pretty sure it said GRP

[Askeeta]

Thankyou for your thoughts Admiralslater

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by Askeeta

SC They say in description it is No 2 l sssume out of mould.Pretty sure it said GRP

I missed that part. And it does say fiberglass/GRP at the bottom of the specs. FWIW the cold molded technique is also GRP with the only difference being the core and possibly the resin. I wonder if that one is just solid GRP or has a core like most modern cats. And could that be the 2nd boat Catana ever built?

[Askeeta]

Admiral and SC
Even my wife loves the bows,and she knows nothing about boats really.
I have last Survey and list of work done since if you would care to view and comment advise.
If it is GRP SC,what cautions would you advise
Admiral l would be interested in deal breakers you could see suspect or watch for
Once again Thankyou for feedback.It is very difficult to find specific stuff for this boat.I did email Catana but haven’t heard anything back

[Sand crab]

It's definitely GRP which is glass reinforced plastic aka fiberglass. The resin is the plastic part in GRP. Fiberglass is technically just the cloth, matt or chopped fibers but everyone calls the finished resin saturated product fiberglass. Fiberglass can be done with 3 resins: polyester, vinylester or epoxy. Poly is the cheapest so most boats are made with this and epoxy is the most expensive but strongest and most waterproof so few production boats are made this way. Vinylester is in the middle. Osmosis is always a concern in all poly boats because poly is not really waterproof. Blisters can form due to osmosis. The other problem is the proper sealing around all hull penetrations including every bolt and screw. These issues can be a real problem if the water gets into the core if this boat has one. Delamination can occur due to water issues or faulty construction. You can tap the hull, if it sounds solid then that's good if you get a thud or hollow sound then that's bad.
You can post the survey but the seller may not like that or PM it to me if you like.

[admiralslater]

The boat looks great , and when I was in the market I would have looked seriously at this one. Look around the windows for drip marks ,also on the upholstery for the same. Open the the lockers and see if you can look at the bottom of deck fittings . Pull the floor boards . The sails are expensive and there is no way around that.
Hulls generally dont give to many problems but decks do because of all the holes .
How up to date are the electronics, wind speed , depth ,log , ais ,does the radio have dsc.
When we were looking at our boats my wife brought her I pad annd took pictures of everything inside every cupboard locker bilges . It was useful over drinks later

[admiralslater]

Well?

[Askeeta]

Hi Admiralslater
Do you have an email address
I can send you spreadsheet of costs l think l would be up for
Also have 2017 survey if you would like to read it
Appreciate your interest
Regards
Peter