Finding a cat

[tolly]

I would like some help from you at this forum, who have more practic experience than I, in different cat's pros and cons.
Me and my wife are planning to buy a cat, suitable for live aboard and ocean crossing, when selling our 52" ketch Colin Archer. Our budget will probably be $200-250K, which rules out any new cat.
Problem for us is that we live in Sweden, a regular "anticat"-country, meaning that we most likely will have to take some flight trips to find the right one, and from that place sail it home.
I have looked at different sites (yachtworld.com, Multihull-maven.com and more) to find out what type(s) that could match our wishes. We have no problem with an older cat, as long as it fits our demands.
We want a cat with one owners hull and one hull for guests, no walkthrough head between the guest cabins in the guest hull, beds at least 6"8 long (2m), well planned galley up, suitable navigation place, good wide view from the bridgedeck, space enough to sit around in the outside pilot area, fixed keels, easy handled sailing.
So far I have found the Prout Quasar 50, Admiral 38, Fountaine Pajot Venezia 42 and maybe Norseman 400.
To narrow our search, I would be very glad if someone of you who have experience in any of the above mentioned cat's, could give comment's about them as to our wiches.
If you have a tip about another cat meeting our demands, I will naturally also thank you.
It's not easy to only see and "sail" them in the computer.
Hope to get some helping advice
Thanks in advance
Rolf Dahlberg
Sweden

[Ex-Calif]

Hi Rolf and welcome to cruisers forum. There are some of the most experienced catamaran folks in the world on these forums. I am sure you will get lots of advice.

I think there is a lot of choice in the $250k used market.

Good Luck in your search.

Here is a good thread on Cats for less than $250k

Used Catamarans under $250K

[jaydh]

Hi Rolf,

I was just posting some info for a mate online as he's selling his 48ft alloy sailing cat. He's asking 320,000aud which is shy of 250,00usd as of today's rates.

The same model but a different owner is also for sale, but I think that's pushing 500,000usd. It's in South Africa now.

Doug's boat can be seen at www.multihullworld.com.au under the boats for sale - sailing catamarans....think it was on the second page. Listed as a Cyber 48 ft.

His only contact is the cell number published. I can't help you further, but know a little bit about these cats as we're building one. They've proven strong, fast and safe. If you're just generally interested pm me and I can turn you onto info other people have online or what we have in hand. Not selling ours, by the way!

Happy shopping!
Jay

[tolly]

I perhaps wasn't enough clear as to when we are planning to buy a cat. It is a couple of years ahead, since we among other things must sell the sailing boat we have now first. Since we probably will find our cat outside Sweden, we want to do a good research before that, to know exactly what to look for then.
Rolf

[Little Otter]

Well it is important ot have a good amount of space between the deck and the water to minimize slapping, also look for one that has two(2) wheels incase one breaks, also you want one that is known for good quality, you want one that is wide for extra stability I would look at a Priviledge hopefully Dave of Maxing Out will give some info on his priviledge. I would also lookat Dean, Grainger, Manta, and last these are comfortable for coastal and I have been told they can handle the ocean but look at a Gemini 105Mc as you can get a new one for less than $200,000. Hope this helps.

[Talbot]

Bit naughty to include a Gemini 105 as suitable for long range cruising.

A very capable coastal boat, and one that can make an ocean passage, but not really built for extended cruising.

Add the Prout 38 and 39 to your list, the PDQ36, and manta as well.

[Little Otter]

Originally Posted by Talbot

Bit naughty to include a Gemini 105 as suitable for long range cruising.

A very capable coastal boat, and one that can make an ocean passage, but not really built for extended cruising.

Add the Prout 38 and 39 to your list, the PDQ36, and manta as well.

I guess but the only reason I put the Gemini in was the price.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by jaydh

Hi Rolf,

I was just posting some info for a mate online as he's selling his 48ft alloy sailing cat. He's asking 320,000aud which is shy of 250,00usd as of today's rates.

The same model but a different owner is also for sale, but I think that's pushing 500,000usd. It's in South Africa now.

Doug's boat can be seen at www.multihullworld.com.au under the boats for sale - sailing catamarans....think it was on the second page. Listed as a Cyber 48 ft.

His only contact is the cell number published. I can't help you further, but know a little bit about these cats as we're building one. They've proven strong, fast and safe. If you're just generally interested pm me and I can turn you onto info other people have online or what we have in hand. Not selling ours, by the way!

Happy shopping!
Jay

Jay,

Link doesn't seem to work. I'd be interested in the details of this boat too.

Kevin

[Little Otter]

Tolly you could also try www.yachtworld.com and look at some of their boats.

[Talbot]

Little Otter,

Your recommend that the boat should have two wheels is also without knowledge of these boats. I cannot think of one cruising cat at the moment that actually has twin wheels. They do need to have a properly thought out emergency steering system (as does any boat).

However, loads on the steering system of a LARS cat are several orders of magnitude less than those of a mono of similar size.

[jaydh]

Kevin,

In haste I typo'd it...try
Multimarket - Cyber 48ft Aluminium

or just start at multihull.com.au and work your way to the sailing cats for sale.

Best,
Jay

[Lodesman]

Thanks, Jay.

K

[imagine2frolic]

I would think there are a number of boats with twin stations.

[Little Otter]

Talbot, Dave's Priviledge38 Maxingout has two wheels. on his website I'm pretty sure that he says that is one reason he got the Priviledge.

[schoonerdog]

If the boat is going to be doing an ocean crossing, I might strike the PDQ 36 as well. It's a great boat, but has thin hulls meant for good performance and but isn't the load carrier that you would need for an ocean crossing boat. Our old PDQ only had 50 gallons of water capacity for instance. Admiral 38 might be a good boat in your price range, you'll find the beam really allows a nice saloon area and accomodations. In your price area, that would be my top option.

Originally Posted by Talbot

Bit naughty to include a Gemini 105 as suitable for long range cruising.

A very capable coastal boat, and one that can make an ocean passage, but not really built for extended cruising.

Add the Prout 38 and 39 to your list, the PDQ36, and manta as well.