Advice on my first multihull

[jrb1978]

Good day all,

I have been researching alot on the web, time and time again this site came up in google hits so I figured I should join and see whats going on.

I hope it is ok to start with a lengthy question?

I am based in the UK, and while I have about 13 years sailing experience (monohulls) both cruising and racing for the past 5 years I have been indulging myself playing around with Motorboats. Its been fun, and there is a certain appeal to charging about with 600Hp at your fingertips but fuel costs and repetitive boredom have finally gotton the better of me and I think it is time to revist sail.

However, the good lady in my life has only ever known power boats and while she cringes at £1000 fuel fillups every other month, she is ever so reluctant to give up the space and comfort she has become used to in a volumous power boat and worse, we went sailing for a day on a 36ft Beneteau and she flatly refuses to have anything that in her words 'goes all tippy tippy' so i gues that is monohull sailing out for now.

From what I have read, a catamaran might tick all the boxes, with the added benefit of a bit more speed than I was used to getting when sailing thrown in for good measure. I have been doing the usual thing of hitting various manufacturer web sites to have a look at the type of boats that might suit and it seems a modern cat (dont want too much work to do and hate dark dingy interiors) of around 36 to 40 feet would suit the bill. Basically it must have/be:

- Easy for two people to sail
- At least two good double cabins (preferably a third)
- Good space for 2-3 weeks spent on board at a time
- Nice light interior with good quality fittings
- Cost around £140k ($280k) - ish!
- Good performance (I'd like to be able to cruise at 9-10knts)

From my research so far, it seems I have two routes. Either mainstream production cats a couple of years old or older, specialist cats from small builders. And this is why I am here. I am starting to get confused and cant seem to pin down what I want. I have read a lot, and there seems to be a lot of opinion. The two cats that immmediatly grab my attention are:

Privilege 37/395
Spirited 380 built by Stallion Marine

I really like the look of the Privilege 395, but I suspect my budget might be more easily acheived by purchasing an older 37. One of my questions is what are the key differences between these two boats. Internet research suggest that the 395 is an extended 37 with better perfromance and a tweaked layout. I wouldbe interested to know what the perfromance differences are, and if the 395 is worth the extra £40k ($80k) over the 37. I suspect I will prefer the interior finish on the newer boat, but since 37's were in production until 2003 perhaps later boats had a similar light and modern interior?

And then we come to the Spirited 380.

This boat appeals to me as it looks like a bit of a flying machine with cruising space as well. The layout looks good and the design seems to be on the performance end. I know this would stretch my budget, and finding a used boat would be tough but it does appeal. I notice this boat has dagger boards and some comments seem to suggest this is less favourable because of maintenance and ease of use? Is this really the case, do they mean more work when sailing etc etc? Also, what would resale be like on a boat from a small brand? easier or harder? I am assuming this would be more fun to sail than the Privilege.

Finally, I have looked at the budget option of a new/nearly new Lagoon 380. My main concern with these boats is the sailing performance. They seem to be designed with the charter market in mind, and this is certainly reflected in the level of detail in the fit and finish (lots of bare GRP and basic wood fittings inside) so I wonder how this affects the size of the rig and sailing performance?

So thats where I am right now. A bit stuck, and bit hesitant to wade into a new market (to me) and blow a load of money on the wrong boat. Any comments and suggestions wouls be greatfully received.

Many thanks

[Whimsical]

Originally Posted by jrb1978

And then we come to the Spirited 380.

I know this would stretch my budget, and finding a used boat would be tough but it does appeal.

Tough would not begin to describe it. I think the first one splashed only a few months ago and I have only heard of one other.
Have no idea what a kit costs but was told Stallion Marine, who built number 2 was asking mid 500,000 Aus or nearly 250k stirling for a basic sail away

Mike

[cooper]

Can give no advice. Mikes area !.

..but welcome....

[jrb1978]

Ok, well that would be interesting. Figures I saw were for around $440k Aus. but maybe that is incorrect.

I think the boat I want is a Privilege 395, but I have probably only seen 5% of the market and that is why I am here - to try and learn from those of you who know what you can get in a cat much better than I.

I still need to know the limitations to adjust my expectations. Without doubt a few charters are on the cards, but I want to know more before even going that far.

Thanks for the welcome.

[imagine2frolic]

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tom-17172.html

This thread just started, but I am sure it will grow...............

[Gludy]

Jez
Welcome to the forum.

The Prestige 395 seems to be a well built boat and is featured on the Maxingout site - they did 11 years and 33,000 miles in one. Planned VMG was about 6.25 knots - that site is worth a look at.

Be aware that almost all SA cats are also CE certified even though they are sold in the USA market.

Now I know what you want I will do some digging.

[jrb1978]

Ah, rumbled again

[scotte]

Originally Posted by Gludy

The Prestige 395 seems to be a well built boat and is featured on the Maxingout site

Close... Dave (MaxingOut) has a Privilege 39, which is a different model than the newer 395...

The Privilege 39 is an Eric LeFevre design, introduced in 1988. In 1996, Group Alliura took over production of the Privilege line and introduced the Privilege 37, designed by Marc Lombard. In 2004, this was replaced with the Privilege 395 - very similar in design to the 37. If I have any of this wrong, feel free to set the facts straight!

[Gludy]

I always invert the words Prestige and Privilege for some reason -I thought I wrote Privilege!!!

[44'cruisingcat]

JRB, you won't find a Spirited 380 for that kind of money, not for a few years at least. I don't think the oldest of these would be a year old yet, and I haven't seen any used ones for sale. There are a couple being built as "spec" boats that will be for sale, but I doubt if they will be within your budget.

But there are a lot of similar sized,similar style cats available in Australia, which will have decent performance, if not quite the same as the 380. (It has a pretty big rig for it's size).

I wouldn't limit myself to production boats, unless you really need to have EC certification or similar. IMHO home built boats are better built, if sometimes not quite as smartly finished.

[dialdan]

JRB
A bit smaller than the two previously mentioned but how about a Dazcat 10 ? Built in the UK and around your price.

[Gludy]

I have been on the Dazcat 10 and its a very good boat for a family - I understand they are selling very well.

[Robertcateran]

There are some good boat designs from Australia and NZ. Have you looked at the Pacific Cat, some of the Schionning designs, Bob Oram, Malcolm Tennant, old Crowther designs, Chamberlain, Easy designs, Lizards, etc. You could consider Kelsall, the Brazilian designs, or some of the South African. Or you can think outside the square and look at Harryproas (my choice)
Robert

[Little Otter]

hi, jrb try looking at the GEMINI 105Mc it's under 200k new so its worth a look I think.

[Woods Designs]

warning - commercial post so don't read if you don't want to!!

Why not look at my 32ft Eclipse or 38ft Transit?

You should also contact the Multihull Centre (but you probably already have)

The Multihull Centre

Their Twins 36 and 43 might interest you (the 43 is a motor sailor, I've done 15 knots under power in the one currently in their yard)

Richard Woods of Woods Designs

Woods Designs Sailing Catamarans