Catamaran Trawler

[Cotemar]

Catamaran Trawler

Catamaran sailboats are some of the most efficient boats on the water today.

Sailing of course is free, but when they motor along they typically only use one engine at less than <1 Gallon (<3.78 Liters) per hour and cover 7.5 to 8 nautical miles.

Most trawlers have larger engines and use much more fuel per hour.

If you liked the looks and accommodations of a sailing catamaran and you were getting older and did not care to sail anymore.
Would you consider buying your favorite sailing catamarans without any of the rigging, sails, equipment and accessories needed for sailing if you could purchase it at a much lower price?

[SVNeko]

I vote no based on how the question is worded. Although I would buy a trawler cat, it would have different design criteria than my favorite sailing cat.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by SVNeko

I vote no based on how the question is worded. Although I would buy a trawler cat, it would have different design criteria than my favorite sailing cat.

Meaning you would like bigger engines or a different hull design?

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Catamaran Trawler

Would you consider buying your favorite sailing catamarans without any of the rigging, sails, equipment and accessories needed for sailing if you could purchase it at a much lower price?

I think it would have to be a steal to justify the compromises and penalties you would have to accept in structural design, wave form and ergonomics.

I had that very same discussion with Malcolm Tennant in Auckland in 2000 and he confirmed that the performance curves of mutihull design for sail vs power come from a different set of dynamics

He was known for designing extremely fuel efficient power cats

[Cotemar]

Everyone is always complaining that catamarans are so expensive.

If you could save a lot of money on your next boat and still have the most efficient boat on the water it would seem to be a win win.

[Factor]

Hull forms power to sail are different, eg you don't really care if a power boat can tack. Consequently the maximum efficiency can be achieved by focussed design.

[blighhigh]

Although it was said that sailing is free, it ignores one fact. The wind blows free but it costs a lot of money to catch it.

[Cotemar]

If you take the same efficient Catamaran hull and just change the options you purchase then the Catamaran will not be as expensive.

[Pelagic]

I understand your point Cotemar, but if we take the same square footage you show...let's call it a "salon power cat" but with rudders and a conservative power train designed for more efficient single engine steering...I think you would have a better power boat at an even cheaper cost.....

You would not have to pay for the internal sailing structural supports or build bridge deck to same extent to handle the larger racking forces of sailing in heavy weather.

Instead, those savings could be translated into more practical fuel tankage and an adjusted hull form to efficiently compensate for Full or 15% bunkers

[Snowpetrel]

Yes. I like the idea. Most of the powercats seem overbloated and overpowered.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by Snowpetrel

Yes. I like the idea. Most of the powercats seem overbloated and overpowered.

It’s impossible to find a production Catamaran Trawler that is as fuel efficient as a sailing catamaran.

They just came out with a sweet Leopard 51 PC that was initially specified with two 150 hp engines. Then they changed course and only sell it with 350 hp Yanmars. That takes that boat off my list.

I had chartered a Leopard 47 PC with the 150 hp engines and it ran just like a sailing catamaran on one engine doing 9 knots at 2000 rpm using 1.56 gal per hour. That is pretty efficient for that size boat with a semi planning hull. And she tracked straight as an arrow on autopilot.

[HappyMdRSailor]

I respectfully decline to participate in a poll that sounds decidedly Russian...

For a particular purpose? Hell yea... Lake boat, canal boat, loop boat, dive boat...

To replace a trawler for crossings, coastal... No chance...

Does this mean Be Good Too finally floated your way?

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

I respectfully decline to participate in a poll that sounds decidedly Russian...

For a particular purpose? Hell yea... Lake boat, canal boat, loop boat, dive boat...

To replace a trawler for crossings, coastal... No chance...

Does this mean "Be Good Too" finally floated your way?

I wish "Be Good Too" would show up. I would strip that mast off in a heart beat. That would be a sweet Cat Trawler with some new rudders on it.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

I wish "Be Good Too" would show up. I would strip that mast off in a heart beat. That would be a sweet Cat Trawler with some new rudders on it.

Wouldn't it though???

On first glance, I saw "power cat" to be sure...

Might be time for a new limerick

[gosstyla]

I agree with the majority. Converting a sailing cat to a power cat produces an inefficient power cat.

I also agree with Cotemar that most, all?, current production cats are not designed for efficiency. It seems they marketers control design criteria and they seem to be after the big, fast power boat group not trawler types.

That's why my next boat will most likely be a custom or semi-custom designed power cat.