I'm NEW!

[Sailing Cowboy]

Originally Posted by scarlet

Sailing cowboy... it was an attempt at a joke... I'm really short..

I get it. I can be a bit thick up top sometimes and today is one of them. Anyhow, good luck on your new found lifestyle.

[Redreuben]

Hey Scarlet,

Well at 4' 13" you won't have to worry about galley headroom which might equal a faster boat These cats built for 6' 13" Americans aren't called Condomarans for nothing !
I believe the step before beginner is dreamer, lol
Enjoy,
RR

[Nick & LA]

Welcome Scarlet
My wife and I are about 2 years ahead of you... Dream turned to plans, then came certification courses and boat selection. Our new Cat is on order and being built!

This group is full of knowledge, but be careful what you ask... Opinions can run a bit strong. (Avoid asking things like "... What is the best ____?" Especially regarding dinghies or anchors!)

LOL!

Seriously, glad you're here.

Nick

[scarlet]

Nick.. what cat did you and your wife decide on? and what are your sailing plans? carribean? coastal?

[ozsailer]

Hi Scarlet,
like you we are looking for the right Cat and are actually looking at one next week. We have been talking about the benefits and the cons of owning a cat compared to monohull. To put things into perspective we have been sailing for 20 years and I have come up through learning to sail on a 18 foot keeler owned by the sailing school to then purchasing a trailer yacht. I went from a 18 footer to a 20 ft, 22 ft, 25 ft then to our present 38 Ft centre cockpit yacht. We have always been members of a sailing group and can highly recommend to joining a local yacht club to gain a valuable insight into peoples experiences, both good and bad and what does and does not work for them.
Every boat is a compromise and to me each person has different considerations when looking at boats. There are many people out there who have no sailing experience who have gone onto doing exactly what you are contemplating. All I would suggest is go in with open eyes and an open mind. Good luck with all your endeavours. Always remember everyone who ever sailed had to start at the beginning

[The Miss]

Hi Scarlet,

Welcome and congrats on the decision to go. My husband and I are similar ages and have ordered our boat and a year off the big blue. We decided to jump in without hesitation and live life to the full. We purchased a Catana 42 for a multitude of reasons that where right reasons for us. Regardless of boat whatever you choose it will become your home so much loved no doubt. I haven't got a clue about sailing and currently working crazy hours for next 6 months which gives me six months to learn technical stuff. Plus 5 weeks delivery of boat from France to Turkey in June next year so will learn much as I go.

Whatever the learning curve we both are on, its got to be better than being the cubicle slave that is my life now.....

Well done and keep us posted

cheers the Miss

Homepage | Miss Catana

PS I too have so many questions I continuing come back to this site and love reading the diverse views and ideas.

[goat]

Originally Posted by scarlet

IT... I also worry about the "getting on and off" part. I'm only 4' 13".. I've asked my husband if we could spring for a "plank" so I can just walk across... my big fear is that I'm going to step on with my left, and my right foot will stay on the dock.. and I'm be dangling there in the chinese splits!!! I'm sure both of us will figure it out.

As for the maintainance... Scott and I do things together, I'm usually the planner/figure out-er.. and he is the do-er.. so... I really do want to learn as much as I can so I can tell him what he is doing wrong..

Bet he can't wait......

[scarlet]

Goat... I was joking.. My attmepts at humor here have really fallen flat...

[goat]

Originally Posted by scarlet

Goat... I was joking.. My attmepts at humor here have really fallen flat...

Mine too. If you look at some of my old posts you'll see I'm just a cynical old fart that pops up with a useless comment that hopefully makes someone laugh. Think; those two old Muppets up on the balcony.
Welcome to the forum,
Goat

[ArtM]

Originally Posted by scarlet

Just wanted to drop in and say hi... I have been enjoying being a lurker here for quite sometime, and figured it was time to join. My husband and I are just beginning this journey.. so I will have tons of questions. I apologize in advance for bombarding everyone..

As I've said.. I am a beginner.. (is there a stage BEFORE beginner??) We have just recently made the decision to plan for our retirement on a catamaran. I'm 46 and my husband is 52... our goal isto retire in 6 years. We have no sailing experience.. and haven't even been on a catamaran.. I know.. I'm one of THOSE people...(hey.. everyone's got to start somewhere!) let me prove to you that I will be around for a while.

We have taken some steps forward... We have been reading TONS and have begun working through the ASA course books. We have also begun to network with others who have sailing experience, and similar dreams. We booked our trip to Miami for the boat show.. we will spend 4 days there... We have scheduled our first charter with a friend who has his captain's license, so we will get a week long crew experience in the BVI this spring, and then we will head to Fort Lauderdale, where we are taking a week long course with water sailing">Blue Water Sailing. We will take the the A+ cat course... (we will get certified in 101, 103, 104 and 114... ) We have also joined a local yacht club where we can rent sailboats, and network. And, most importantly, we have met with a financial advisor and formulated a plan to "get there"! So.. we have a good start!

The thing I am most looking forward to with this lifestyle is the journey in getting there... spending quality time with my husband.. and joining the community of like minded people.. My fears are basically cost and maintainance..

Anyway... I can't wait to get to know you! I'll be posting questions shortly.

Well I think you've passed up "newby" and are well on your way to "advanced beginner". I don't know who's been giving you advice, but clearly you've been told all the right things. Have a great time in Miami!

Contact The Catamaran Company. They have a marina in the area that has about 10 used cruising catamarans of a variety of sizes, ages, and brand names all in one place.

[ArtM]

Originally Posted by scarlet

The reason I like the multihulls, are the same as everyone elses... the stability in the water... and the increased interior space, which makes them a great choice for live-aboards... but they are BIG boats.. and I suspect a bit more difficult to handle for a crew of 2....

Not more difficult than an equivalent monohull, which would be a much more massive boat with a very deep keel.

On the contrary, the catamaran design is popular specifically because it puts the luxury of a larger yacht into the hands of a single-hander or 2-person crew. On the better designed smaller (40') cats, the captain has full view of every corner of the boat, and has a selection of precision control methods immediately at hand - once he learns to use them, of course.

[scarlet]

ooooo Art! Thank you about the heads up about the Catamaran company's marina.. I'm going to look into that. I wonder if they require an appointment...

[ArtM]

Originally Posted by scarlet

ooooo Art! Thank you about the heads up about the Catamaran company's marina.. I'm going to look into that. I wonder if they require an appointment...

Yes, make an appointment for sure.

Though all the brokers are catamaran SALES specialists, they are not all equally experienced and in fact may not actually sail boats themselves. If you want a broker with specific knowledge or specialization, be sure to ask.

The last time I was there, they operated in a "team" structure meaning that all the salespeople cooperate equally on sales, but I'm not sure if they're still doing that.

[tomfl]

Originally Posted by scarlet

"SNIP
The reason I like the multihulls, are the same as everyone elses... the stability in the water... and the increased interior space, which makes them a great choice for live-aboards... but they are BIG boats.. and I suspect a bit more difficult to handle for a crew of 2....

How difficult it is to handle any boat with any size crew is more a function of how the running rigging is set up. If all lines are run to the cockpit and the head sails have roller furring single handing can be quite easy on a large boat while a smaller boat with a different set up for the running rigging can be a handful for a larger crew.

Another thing to keep in mind is that many catamarans (as opposed to multihulls like trimarans and proas) have two engines and even a novice pilot can get a twin engine boat to spin 180 degrees in its own length. It is not even that hard to walk a twin engine boat sideways up to a dock.

Of course high winds and strong currents can make any boat a handful even for a very experienced pilot.

Conventional wisdom is that sailing and boat handling is the easy part of cruising, especially when compared to rebuilding an engine in a cramped engine room in tropical head after trying to get parts shipped past customs in a third world country.

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by scarlet

Just wanted to drop in and say hi... I have been enjoying being a lurker here for quite sometime, and figured it was time to join. My husband and I are just beginning this journey.. so I will have tons of questions. I apologize in advance for bombarding everyone..

As I've said.. I am a beginner.. (is there a stage BEFORE beginner??) We have just recently made the decision to plan for our retirement on a catamaran. I'm 46 and my husband is 52... our goal isto retire in 6 years. We have no sailing experience.. and haven't even been on a catamaran.. I know.. I'm one of THOSE people...(hey.. everyone's got to start somewhere!) let me prove to you that I will be around for a while.

We have taken some steps forward... We have been reading TONS and have begun working through the ASA course books. We have also begun to network with others who have sailing experience, and similar dreams. We booked our trip to Miami for the boat show.. we will spend 4 days there... We have scheduled our first charter with a friend who has his captain's license, so we will get a week long crew experience in the BVI this spring, and then we will head to Fort Lauderdale, where we are taking a week long course with Blue Water Sailing. We will take the the A+ cat course... (we will get certified in 101, 103, 104 and 114... ) We have also joined a local yacht club where we can rent sailboats, and network. And, most importantly, we have met with a financial advisor and formulated a plan to "get there"! So.. we have a good start!

The thing I am most looking forward to with this lifestyle is the journey in getting there... spending quality time with my husband.. and joining the community of like minded people.. My fears are basically cost and maintainance..

Anyway... I can't wait to get to know you! I'll be posting questions shortly.

Your well organized-hope you really like sailing- and that your husband really likes maintaining and fixing boats!