Meyermm, I have not been 'blowing my trumpet'. I have not suggested that cats are superior to monos with respect to
safety, nor even that they are better suited for all sailing conditions, or all sailors. I have only suggested that cats ARE safe for world cruising.
Is cost an issue for most boat buyers? Of course. And yes, many monohulls tend to give more bang for the buck than many monohulls, especially in the used market. However, that was not the question posed in this thread.
Like many of us on this site, I LOVE boats. Always have, alway will. I do not denigrate monohulls and indeed, have written before that I will likely own another some day for short day and occasional overnights
sails. (And no, don't take that as a suggestion that I think them inferioir for
extended cruising - its just that a cat is superior for
my present needs).
To me, no boat is more attractive than a 'classic' mono with some overhangs, a sweet shear, some touches of
teak and a cozy, well-finished
cabin. Indeed, in my opinion, nothing replaces the instant feedback provided by the inreased heel one gets from a puff when sailing to windward in a
monohull. To me many monohulls are, for want of a better term, more sensual and less appliance - like than many catamarans. (Although I must confess, I do not find multihulls inherently ugly, as some monohullers suggest - in my eyes, there is something futuristic, almost 'Millenium Falcon' cool about many of them).
The sad thing, to me, is that we tend to end up polarized when we discuss anything that calls for a comparison between monos and multihulls. We love boats and accordingly, most of us don't just
own our
current boats, we have
love-affairs with them. Just as with our lovers, there is a natural tendancy to be blind to some failings and to overstate some positives. It is part of the human condition.
But denigrating someone (or if you prefer, something) that someone else loves is bound to bring about a combative response. I think we should all take a deep breath and recognize how lucky we are to have and to hold the beautiful ladies that take us to sea. To recognize that the next person is bound to feel the same way about his own special lady; and, to try to remember that simple truth before we point out that she might be a little overweight, or a little less agile etc. than our own.
I guess what I am saying is that we should temper our comments and try not to express our opinions as absolutes, especially when they are, or can be taken as a generic slur. Please don't get me wrong, I know that I have been found wanting in that regard as well, from time to time. But ultimately, who knows sin better than the sinner?
Brad