40' Voyage Norseman 400‏

[katja&david]

Does anybody have an idea of the pros and contras of the 40' Voyage Norseman 400‏ Catamaran?

[Southern Star]

Katja and David, I have not sailed one but they have a reputation for solid construction, like many South African built cats. The lowered freeboard/small side-decks reduce windage forward with very little compromise in interior room; they certainly make boarding easier than most 'modern' high-freeboard cats.

Performance is reputed to be pretty decent, at least for the later versions which were extended by 3 feet (as I recall) in order to get the transoms out of the water. The advertised bridgedeck clearance was, as I suspect, quite a bit more than the reality on the water; that being said, it still appears to be a bit better than the Leopards of that vintage.

Brad

[WFMorris]

Do You have any experience with a Voyage 400 1996 with running backstays? I'm looking to purchase a 400 and it has running back stays

[SeaKing]

That allows you to bring the boom more forward or let the sail billow out more by loosening the backstay on the lee side. Also gives better support when flying a chute running downwind. We have them on our Voyage 470.

[WFMorris]

Thank you I'll give it a try