Here's a question for the cat crowd

[Intentional Drifter]

Well, the following account is not as heavy as what you may be looking for, but it is still a pretty detailed description of a 52' cat going from Hobart to Nelson. Looks like that had some fun: On this sixth day of our passage from Hobart, Tasmania to Nelson, New Zealand, the winds had been blowing in the mid to high 30

Some photos here: Thumbnails

ID

[billyehh]

Once on the last day of a charter, we had to get the PDQ 32 back to Blue Lagoon in St. Vincent from Port Elizabeth in Bequia. The wind was 30 to 40 knots apparent and the waves were 12to 14 ft. By motorsailing (9 hp Yamaha's) and cracking off about an extra 10 degrees it was manageable but very exciting. I was being yelled at by the admiral and the commodore, especially when we got knocked off a top of a wave and ended up going 60 degrees in another direction.

It was something I would not regularly do, but I felt safe and it proved what a tough little boat the PDQ 32 is.

[Moby Dick]

Adlard Coles "Heavy Weathger Sailing" (5th edition) has a report from a 10M cat in upto 15M breaking waves and 60knot winds.

[libellula]

I am thankful for all of the input. I agree that avoidance is judicious, however in long passages I have made (all in monohulls) it is not always possible to run and/or hide from bad (I mean real bad) weather. Has anyone ever heard of a trysail being installed on a Catamaran?

[Moby Dick]

they set a trysail and storm jib on the 10m cat I refer to above

[sundog]

Well mostly... I figured someone would get defensive even though I said I'm seriously considering a cat. There's some good links in there and plenty of reading to do. Keep em coming!

Oh and by the way if there are any cat owners anywhere near southeast Georgia who would like to the opportunity to take a monohuller out for a ride let me know. I'd be most willing crew!

-Thanks

[libellula]

Sundog,
I was following some other forums but never seemed to get serious responses to my questions. This forum has been especially helpful because I not only get thoughtful responses but they are from catamaran sailors! I am also interested in the opinions of monohullers that have considered Catamarans but chose to stay mono.
It is a great forum in my humble opinion that is based on my short exposure here.

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by libellula

Sundog,
I was following some other forums but never seemed to get serious responses to my questions. This forum has been especially helpful because I not only get thoughtful responses but they are from catamaran sailors! I am also interested in the opinions of monohullers that have considered Catamarans but chose to stay mono.
It is a great forum in my humble opinion that is based on my short exposure here.

Ditto....................