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Old 14-03-2015, 16:20   #1
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35' cat for ocean crossing?

I've been mulling over getting a cat somewhere in the 30' (gemini) to 35' range (gemini, wildcat, prout) with the intention of cruising the gulf areas (carribean, virgin islands, etc…).

I've been lurking all over the interwebs, digging up information. I'm in information overload.

Due to budget constraints, I am definitely trying to stay well below 100k. Most likely 50k would be it and still allow for outfitting and prep.

The crew would be me, the missus,and the 10 year old daughter. We've been lake sailing for years now, and are really yearning for that "something more".

How small is too small. I can definitely say 30' is our personal minimum.
Would we be better off in a monohull?
Can we realistically expect to safely cross the pacific in anything small enough to easily crew ourselves.
How about insurance for the boat and ourselves?

I can see I am rambling now. Any thoughtful input would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
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Old 14-03-2015, 16:44   #2
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Re: 35' cat for ocean crossing?

Did you read the Slapdash (Gemini) and Bumfuzzle (Wildcat) blogs?
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Old 14-03-2015, 16:46   #3
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Re: 35' cat for ocean crossing?

36 solaris in key largo for 60k low bridge deck buy their tough as nails

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Old 14-03-2015, 17:28   #4
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Re: 35' cat for ocean crossing?

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36 solaris in key largo for 60k low bridge deck buy their tough as nails

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Do you have a link to that? Sunrise or Sunstar?
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Old 14-03-2015, 17:32   #5
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Re: 35' cat for ocean crossing?

I have skimmed through the Bumfuzzle. I was completely unaware of the Slapdash. thanks.

Dulce: I couldn't find that Solaris for $60. I did see one for $80. Same one, you think? BTW now i'll have to add those to my list of possibles. More research.


Thanks

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Old 14-03-2015, 18:21   #6
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Re: 35' cat for ocean crossing?

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Do you have a link to that? Sunrise or Sunstar?
http://keys.craigslist.org/boa/4874640627.html

Says 80 firm, pretty sure hed take less...

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Old 15-03-2015, 06:07   #7
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Re: 35' cat for ocean crossing?

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Originally Posted by kenisall View Post
...

How small is too small. I can definitely say 30' is our personal minimum.
Would we be better off in a monohull?
Can we realistically expect to safely cross the pacific in anything small enough to easily crew ...
Whether mono or cat, LOA is not the primary determinant of seaworthyness. I have a friend who has circumnavigated and then some in a Tiki 21. Very seaworthy little boat, but probably not your family's idea of a cruising boat.

That said there are some seaworthy cats out there in the ~35 range. Many already mentioned.

The Wildcats take a lot of crap because of some of their well publisiced quality of build issues, but fundamentally are a strong seaworthy little cat. And a very comfortable layout for cruising and liveaboard. Many were sailed new on their own bottoms from Durban to the USA. The biggest issue was their wildly variable quality of build. They built some good boats and they built some flat out junk. Survey very very carefully if considering one.

A downside you will find is that with decreased LOA comes decreased load carrying capacity. This is problematic for any cruising vessel (I even see big cats obviously overloaded) but especially so with a family aboard. This is a more pronounced issue for multihulls than monohulls.

In your price range I suggest not getting fixated on cats. There are some good old monos out there too which are a lot of bang for the buck. Peruse some of the threads here on center cockpit monos to see some of the options. Some smaller center cockpit monos are quite comfortable. Personally, in your budget range, I would rather put my money in a good old mono than a tired old project-boat cat or one of questionable quality.
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Old 15-03-2015, 06:24   #8
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Re: 35' cat for ocean crossing?

Slapdash and Bumfuzzle are okay, but getting kind of dated. Slapdash finished that up some years ago. If you want to follow someone who's sailing right now in a 30 ft. boat, we just met John Pederson this week. He sailed a 30 ft. Richard Woods Sagitta across from the UK to St. Lucia single handed in January, and is preparing to sail back across the Atlantic single handed again.

He had some interesting experiences, surfing at 20 knots etc. Rigging drogues.

John has a blog going at Journey on a Woods Sagitta catamaran and is presently between here and Mayaguana. Left this morning, under sail, with the only power on the boat a 6 hp outboard. Would you sail a 30 ft. catamaran back and forth across the Atlantic alone with a six hp Tohatsu as your total backup? Here's a guy who's doing it.

Good photography on the blog, too.

And no, I don't have anything to do with it other than being a fan.
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Old 15-03-2015, 06:55   #9
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Re: 35' cat for ocean crossing?

Belizesailor:
I did not know about the Wildcat construction issues. Hmmmmpphhhh… I may cross them off on general principle.
I haven't ruled out a good mono either. Thus far, I haven't seen any that would work for us in a shorter hull. That's when price comes back around.
Still looking. This project is in its infancy though.

Canibul: That John fellow is hands down the best read Ive seen in a while. Talk about a "shoestring budget"!!! I hang my head in shame. I'm bookmarking that one.
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Old 15-03-2015, 07:20   #10
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Re: 35' cat for ocean crossing?

Now this is on the low end in size and monies:

1987 Performance Cruising Gemini 3000 sailboat for sale in Florida

But my initial reaction is that it looks favorable.

any opinions?

thanks again
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Old 15-03-2015, 07:28   #11
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pirate Re: 35' cat for ocean crossing?

I reckon this would be perfect for your needs.. simple and easy to maintain.. all the stress points visible for maintaining (beams,attachments,etc).. beach her to do the bottom.. awesome seaboats that will outsail 80% of the cats out there..
You'd likely get it for $50K and its only 8yrs old.. not a home build..
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Old 15-03-2015, 08:14   #12
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Re: 35' cat for ocean crossing?

There are several Island Spirit 35's around that can also carry a substantial load and are massively spacious. These sell for within your budget. They are substantially built as well.
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Old 15-03-2015, 13:50   #13
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Re: 35' cat for ocean crossing?

Here's our old Cherokee 35 for sale. Great boats and really roomy. The price is pretty good as well!
http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/bod/4854672161.html
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Old 15-03-2015, 13:54   #14
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Re: 35' cat for ocean crossing?

[QUOTE=boatman61;1775180]I reckon this would be perfect for your needs.. simple and easy to maintain.. all the stress points visible for maintaining (beams,attachments,etc).. beach her to do the bottom.. awesome seaboats that will outsail 80% of the cats out there..
You'd likely get it for $50K and its only 8yrs old.. not a home build..
Tiki38 in Portugal (ref 1300) - Scott Brown Multihulls


[/

That's a really nice looking Wharram.
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Old 15-03-2015, 15:48   #15
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pirate Re: 35' cat for ocean crossing?

She is a lovely boat.. seen her sailing down the Algarve.. got hooked on Wharrams when I got a Tiki 21.. then the 26.. but its only the Tiki's that press my buttons..
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