Is there such thing as a safe, world-cruising multi-hull sailboat?

[Sand crab]

Phil, You want to buy Gregor Tarjans first book on Catamarans. The second one is about mega cats so you can bypass that for now. It's $40 but he spells out everything and if you aren't a cat sailor now then you will be when you finish. It's not too technical, a good read, and lots of real pretty pics of cats of all sizes. I found it in stock here in Montana at Barnes and Nobles. Imagine that. He's a naval architect and owns a brokerage business called Aeroyacht Sailing Catamarans | Fountaine Pajot Catamarans | Power Catamarans | Multihull Dealer and Brokerage He is simply the man. I IM you, check your messages. BOB

[downunder]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

Phil, You want to buy Gregor Tarjans first book on Catamarans. The second one is about mega cats so you can bypass that for now. It's $40 but he spells out everything and if you aren't a cat sailor now then you will be when you finish. It's not too technical, a good read, and lots of real pretty pics of cats of all sizes. I found it in stock here in Montana at Barnes and Nobles. Imagine that. He's a naval architect and owns a brokerage business called Aeroyacht Sailing Catamarans | Fountaine Pajot Catamarans | Power Catamarans | Multihull Dealer and Brokerage He is simply the man. I IM you, check your messages. BOB

I would second getting Gregor Tarjan's book "Catamarans -The complete guide for Cruising Sailors"

[blgklr]

I think there are a lot of safe multis. Same as there are a lot of people who can not afford them including me. I do have a 40 year old mono though.

[Lazuli]

This is my first post and it's probably not wise of me to wade into such a contentious question right out of the gate, but I remember a comment a speaker made at during a seminar about offshore passagemaking - I'm paraphrasing, but it was something like "a multihull's point of ultimate stability is upside down on the surface of the ocean - a monohull's point of ultimate stability is on it's side at the bottom...". I vote for the boat that floats.

[downunder]

A great post and well considered but be prepared for what follows.

[JJB]

I would say any well designed cat is pretty safe, I spent a large chunk of my childhood on a Crowther design 85, as long as it has decent bridge deck clearance I don't see a problem with it.
One other thing I would be looking for in any cat I was sailing offshore in is dagger boards, if the cat didn't have them, then I wouldn't be buying the boat, but this is an issue everyone has their own opinion on, but for my way of thinking they are 110% essential.

[PCSailor]

Originally Posted by JJB

One other thing I would be looking for in any cat I was sailing offshore in is dagger boards,...for my way of thinking they are 110% essential.

This is my thinking to. That extra drag/friction would definately help with bad weather. Along with a sea drogue, sails down, and a alert helmsman it sounds like a cat can handle severe weather.

Two questions.
1. Are all cat dagger boards designed in duplicate located on each hull (sounds like inboard is best) or is there a single, centerboard designed on some cats?

2. On the best designed CRUISING cats, what is the most optimistic pointing angle upwind?

Thanks for the advice on the book. I have not heard of that and will pick it up.

Cheers,
Phil

[Southern Star]

PCSailor, there are a few cats with a single board - eg, the tomcat, but typically cats with boards have two as it is a better and more flexible (if more expensive) arrangement.

Seeing as you seem to have allayed your fears concerning the safety of multihulls, should we shut this thread down? If you have questions concerning other aspects of catamaran design/construction etc., they would be better dealt with under separate threads in the multihull section. Alternatively, if you have specific questions regarding monohulls, you can expect to get better answers in the monohull section.

Frankly, I am impressed at how this thread has not deteriorated into the typical mono versus multi war - and I would be really happy if we left this where it is. Thoughts anyone?

Brad

[PCSailor]

Originally Posted by Southern Star

PCSailor,...I would be really happy if we left this (post) where it is. Thoughts anyone?

Brad

You read my mind here. I thought this earlier last night. I feel my question has been answered and I have been pursuing multi-hull designs the last 24 hours.

Thanks all,
Phil