Catamaran Sailing

[Rodney 1940]

I am looking for a book on how to sail a catamaran. I was a commercial fisherman and ran my own boats so I do understand wind and weather. Have sailed 36 foot boats, rented a 38 cat last week. Thanks Rodney

[mikefp60]

Two excellent books are:

Multihulls Fundamentals by Rick White
The Cruising Multihull by Chris White

Do an ASA school if you really want an intense learning experience. The wife and I did ASA 101, 103, 104 & 114 in St Thomas. Great experience. The certifications help with bareboating and insurance as well.

Regards
Mike

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by Rodney 1940

I am looking for a book on how to sail a catamaran. I was a commercial fisherman and ran my own boats so I do understand wind and weather. Have sailed 36 foot boats, rented a 38 cat last week. Thanks Rodney

If I had to force myself to see differences in sailing monohulls vs catamarans, it would be that catamarans must be reefed earlier in brisk winds. Other than that, Sailing is sailing. One hull or two, the sheets work the same as do the halyards, sails and rudders. As for the particulars of specific boats, time at the helm pretty much sorts that out, but cruising catamarans are not Hobie Cats. Your hulls will not lift, and you'll sail flat.

You've already sailed a good size Cat, did you feel you couldn't sail her properly?

[imagine2frolic]

I have to agree with Tropic Cat. I went from a 30ft. mono to my 46ft. cat. If you can read the wind on the water it's a matter of when to reef. The reason for reefing early is the cat won't heel, but a few degrees, and heeling spills air on a mono......i2f

[SearenitySail]

Originally Posted by Rodney 1940

I am looking for a book on how to sail a catamaran...Thanks Rodney

I think you could add Cruising in Catamarans by Charles Kanter. He has written a few books--this one is c. 2002

Marshall

[tsmwebb]

I'll second Chris White's book. Good stuff.

Gavin LeSueur's Multihull Seamanship is also worth a read.

Tom.