Buying a Cat - advice needed

[Gludy]

I am in the market for a new sailing Cat - approx 50 foot or so in length but it must be capable of being handled by just myself and my partner and she is just 5 feet tall!

I am coming from power to sail and so on a steep learning curve.

So far the ones in the race are
Lagoon 500
FP 48
Broadblue 50
Discovery 50

The latter two are in build but have not as yet completed a boat.

The Discovery is using in mast reefing for the mainsail (vertical battens) and they say it is designed from the outset with the downsides in terms of performance in mind.

So given that you were in the position of having to choose a cruising cat are there any more makes/models you would add to the above?

Has anyone any comments on the above?

All advice appreciated. I am based in the UK and so would the boat be.

[Whimsical]

Schionning Wilderness 1480
Check out this one, new build CE certified and ready to complete the fitout, painting and equipment only. All furniture fitted and faired.
Probably about 650k completed. I think it is a bargain but then I may be slightly biased. I'm Not connected to them in any way other than building a smaller Schionning.
http://www.schionningdesigns.com.au/...erness1480.pdf

Mike

[Gludy]

Thanks I appreciate the advice and found the boat interesting but I am not into off boats that are not supported by a main dealer in the EU and want to try and stay with the main makes.

[David M]

What do you plan on doing with the boat more specifically and what is your budget? Knowing this, you would be able to rule out quite a number of boats and the members would have a better idea of what might work for you.

[Gludy]

The plan is to do some long distance cruising that would involve spending time on the boat - many months.

Circumnavigate the UK then probably take part in the Arc. Then some blue water cruising.

So we need a boat that is good for all seas and living aboard a long time.

Budget without taxes top is about USA $1.3m (£700k) but I am also happy to spend less than that - its a question of the best value for the money. Having said that I do like quality.

[Nordic cat]

Originally Posted by Gludy

The plan is to do some long distance cruising that would involve spending time on the boat - many months.

Circumnavigate the UK then probably take part in the Arc. Then some blue water cruising.

So we need a boat that is good for all seas and living aboard a long time.

Budget without taxes top is about USA $1.3m (£700k) but I am also happy to spend less than that - its a question of the best value for the money. Having said that I do like quality.

The first 3 boats you mention are typical charter style boats, with all that implies. (Yes, I know you can get an owners version)

Mediocre sailing performance.
(Too) heavy
Plenty of extra toilets and stuff to keep running.
Medium quality at best.
Alot of boat for the money.

When you come round to selling it, the market price will probably be depressed by the abundance of charter boats for sale, so reckon on a potentially larger depreciation.

The Discovery brand has a good reputation for monos, but this is their first venture into cats - so an unknown factor here when you need to sell.

There are several other designs/builders you can look at in Europe, like Catana, Outremer, Privelege, Freydis etc.

These boats generally keep their value a bit better.

I would personally look at an Atlantic 55 from Chris White, or a nice Shuttleworth, or some of the Antipodean designs, but these are not stock boats.


The best value for money at the moment would be to buy a nice used boat in the USA or Caribbean, (make sure it's CE approved), get it shipped over to the UK and get someone to give it a thorough update and get it set up for singlehanding. That will give you alot more value for money at present, and your depreciation would be negligible over a few years.

Regards

Alan

[Little Otter]

Why don't you look into mantas they are built in USA for i beleive $800,000 us ready to cruise.

[David M]

If you want a production boat that is going to sail well, holds its value and is a quality boat then I would put Catana at the top of the list.

[Gludy]

As a result of suggestions I am now looking at a far wider range of cats including the new FastCat 455.

Its nice to have such a wide choice!

[freetime]

Atlantic Chris White Designs

Outremer 50/55 light - Catamaran-Outremer.com

Catana Catamarans CATANA

Freydis TOURNIER MARINE - Constructions navales - Catamarans - Multicoques - Trimarans - Freydis

I like the lagoon, broadblue, f-p and nautitech. But as a sailer it´s not the best and then the
question if you need 3-4 bathrooms with shower. All above are big enough inside and are more built for sea (my opt).

Take a look at

YouTube - Catamaran Samsara Sailing Very Fast

because after a time you think your boat is to slow.

Broadblue, is located close to you so probably you can custombuild one...

All is about how big your pocket with money is.

[craig boorman]

Also, look into the South African cats as they are very well built with high quality componets. 50 Voyage,,,,50 St Francis,,,,50 Leopard. I can sail my 50 by myself with little help from the wife.

[Talbot]

Originally Posted by craig boorman

I can sail my 50 by myself with little help from the wife.

But can your wife sail the vessel by herself?????????

[Gludy]

How can you tack or jibe without the help of the wife?
I am new to sailing so I am interested in how to make yourself SWMBO independent.

[fastcat435]

Originally Posted by Gludy

How can you tack or jibe without the help of the wife?
I am new to sailing so I am interested in how to make yourself SWMBO independent.

It is easy to tack with just one person to do so
Take the jib control line to the electric winch in the rear of the cockpit set the autopilot to autotack and stand near the electric winch let the used control line of the jib go to haul the jib over and at the same time activate the electric winch and presto all is done in 20 seconds.

[Gludy]

I am used to self learning autopilots but on power boats - I forget about their ability to tack a sailing boat!!

So another question - in actual cruising terms - what advantages and disadvantages do dagger boards offer over a fixed keel?

How much work is involved with using them?

They must be more prone to damage from floating objects?