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Old 11-02-2019, 10:48   #1
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Good Value Cat: Is My Dream Still Alive?

My wife and I have been planning and dreaming about living aboard a sailboat for several months now. We initially wanted to buy an older monohull that was solid for blue water cruising, but after staying on one, we decided that a catamaran would better suit us. We liked the visibility, low heeling, and room! However, the price is not so great. Am I crazy to think that we could get a solid blue water cruising catamaran for $100k - $130k USD?? We would harbor in the Chesapeake while we learn how to sail, so the first year would be spent in the bay, but we'd eventually want to cruise south to the Bahamas, etc. and have the possibility of crossing the Atlantic/Pacific a few years down the road.

I was initially very interested in the Gemini 105MC because of the price tag, but have since read a lot of people who seem to think they aren't suitable for blue water cruising. Any advice on cats that are solid but wouldn't break the bank are extremely appreciated. I'm not ready to give up on the dream just yet!! Thanks
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Old 11-02-2019, 16:21   #2
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Re: Good Value Cat: Is My Dream Still Alive?

Not crazy, very doable. Here’s one of my favorite catamarans priced well within your range.
https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...dard%20listing
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Old 11-02-2019, 17:46   #3
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Re: Good Value Cat: Is My Dream Still Alive?

Not at all...my buddy just sold his 39" Prout and he had been all over the Carib with it. Not brand new but a solid sailer.
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Old 12-02-2019, 04:38   #4
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Re: Good Value Cat: Is My Dream Still Alive?

Tony Smith built the Gemini cats here on the Chesapeake down at Casa Rio Marina if I remember correctly. I enjoyed a visit there once many years ago. One could argue it's the best gunkholing boat ever built - wonderful for the Chesapeake Bay.

IF your plan is to stay here in the Bay for a time, go down the ICW to Florida and then across to the Bahamas, I'd say you'll be just fine. If you want to cross to Europe or head to the Pacific, I'd say no, IMHO.

There are older cats around; you'll just need to search and GET A SURVEY! Otherwise, keep saving your money and look for an older Leopard 40 (very sturdy) or Lagoon 380 (Lagoon's most produced cat in the 800s)

Good luck with your search.
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Old 12-02-2019, 05:18   #5
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Re: Good Value Cat: Is My Dream Still Alive?

We have owned our Gemini 105Mc for five years. For our cruising grounds, Florida and Bahamas, it has been ideal.

We don't plan on crossing the Atlantic, but if we ever decide to do so, we can employee these guy's services:

https://www.yacht-transport.com/

Leaves Fort Lauderdale and drops you in the Mediterranean.
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Old 12-02-2019, 05:26   #6
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Re: Good Value Cat: Is My Dream Still Alive?

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Originally Posted by Davy J View Post
We have owned our Gemini 105Mc for five years. For our cruising grounds, Florida and Bahamas, it has been ideal.

We don't plan on crossing the Atlantic, but if we ever decide to do so, we can employee these guy's services:

https://www.yacht-transport.com/

Leaves Fort Lauderdale and drops you in the Mediterranean.
Any ballpark of what that might cost?
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Old 12-02-2019, 05:39   #7
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Heres one in your budget.. including my delivery fee to the Bahama's..
https://m.apolloduck.com/boat/prout-snowgoose-37/576353
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Old 12-02-2019, 05:42   #8
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Re: Good Value Cat: Is My Dream Still Alive?

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Any ballpark of what that might cost?
The cost is about $20k
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Old 12-02-2019, 06:41   #9
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Re: Good Value Cat: Is My Dream Still Alive?

Try this one, offer 130k
https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/200...dard%20listing


Sailing it back from PR would be good experience, a downwind run. Then up the ICW for the gnarly bits.
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Old 12-02-2019, 09:03   #10
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Re: Good Value Cat: Is My Dream Still Alive?

A few years ago I heard of a Gemini blown over on the San Francisco Bay. Probably not reefed properly but still scary.
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Old 12-02-2019, 09:19   #11
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Re: Good Value Cat: Is My Dream Still Alive?

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/cat...+Packet/Cat+35

I have this one. Very solid and well built for blue water cruising.
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Old 12-02-2019, 09:41   #12
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Re: Good Value Cat: Is My Dream Still Alive?

Plenty of cats out there in that price range.

Sailboat listings has a Prout 37, Jeantot Privilege, and a few others - have a look at there and maybe go visit a few of them as well

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Old 12-02-2019, 09:59   #13
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Re: Good Value Cat: Is My Dream Still Alive?

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Originally Posted by ocean.jedi View Post
A few years ago I heard of a Gemini blown over on the San Francisco Bay. Probably not reefed properly but still scary.


There have been quite a few Gemini’s that have gone over, but then again there are over 1000 sailing.
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Old 12-02-2019, 10:49   #14
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Re: Good Value Cat: Is My Dream Still Alive?

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Originally Posted by brettrae View Post
We initially wanted to buy an older monohull that was solid for blue water cruising, but after staying on one, we decided that a catamaran would better suit us. We liked the visibility, low heeling, and room!
Cats certainly win out on healing and room but before you get too enamored of cats try taking one out in the open ocean on a boisterous day. I confess my cat sailing is much more limited than on monohulls but enough that I have decided I prefer monohulls. Yes they heel but the motion is very different. A cat, due to the light weight and width can have a jerky, lurching motion in a seaway where the monohull has a much smoother motion.

All a matter of preference and tradeoffs.

One more suggestion, don't compare monohulls and cats based on boat length but on price or square footage. Of course for the same length a cat has more room but for the same money you spend on a good 40' cat you could buy a good 50-55' monohull with similar accommodations.
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Old 12-02-2019, 10:59   #15
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Re: Good Value Cat: Is My Dream Still Alive?

Have a look at mine, a nice sized dependable seaworthy cat that has galley up, propane oven/stovetop, 2 heads, 4 berths-2 doubles and 2 1-1/2's, inboard diesel sail drives, try finding that in a 37 ft or less cat! Only a few rare birds like that were made. Also a dingy and many extra's, as a matter of fact I'm leaving for The Bahamas next week for 4 or so weeks. Then back to Lauderdale. If we reached an agreement I would even deliver her up to the Chesapeake. Always wanted to do that trip! Try the link below or PM me.

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/199...g#.WwRwu5KZMfF
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