Mono vs Twin Hull?

[ColdFusion]

I've pitched my tent - I think this one might run a while

[Maren]

Originally Posted by xsquid77

ill be looking to do it with somthing in the 50' range. btw i have ZERO sailing experience thus far but by that time i will have taken lessons and will be ready to rock'n'roll when the time comes. but you gotta start somewhere so.....mono hull or catamaran?why or why not and how long?( in laymans terms please ) thanks in advance for any advise

The reason you haven't seen any 'real' responses here is this topic is frequently asked and has been EXTENSIVELY debated. So, a search and some reading will get you some serious answers, many of which are well written and rather complete.

But my sense is it won't give you any sort of an answer that you haven't already decided on and are just looking for a rationale to back. At least, that seems to be case for so many.

If I may, let me suggest you start with asking yourself a different set of questions.

Is it the trip or the way you'll be getting there?
What do you realistically intend vs "in a perfect world I'd ..."
Do you expect to go by yourself, with significant other(s) or what?

This won't give you the answer because there usually isn't just one. But it will help after you get a bit of sailing time down ... on whatever you choose

ColdFusion: Oh yeah.

[beau]

Thank you Cat Man Do for those photo's.

I really do believe that we are now seeing a new type of cruising boat under development.
Not a trimaran but a stabilized monohull.

[creakyboy]

sall good,got a slab

btw xsquib,welcome to CF

[imagine2frolic]

Pick what you can afford, and have a great time while you are out there.You only need to remember one thing. It's not a proper yacht unless it's RED.........i2f

[Factor]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Let me put it to you this way: Did you go accross the Pac and Ind oceans in a MONO-hull??????? or a Twin Hull?

And that is a very relevant question because I just know you will want to cruise without sails, with a large amount of weapons and a fully equipped hospital. And a few thousand of your best mates on board at all times,

What an incredibly long bow to draw!

Do you think the US Navy is SMART or Idiots?

AHEM Ahem

Buy what you want xsquid. The mono guys will tell you death is imminent if you dont have a self righting boat, the multi guys will tell you death is imminent if you have a boat that sinks. Variations on that theme pretty much sum up what this thread will turn into.

[tami]

no-one but YOU can answer that question.

Spend some of your hard-earned on chartering each type and see for yourself.

Augment that with lots of research. You're online... go Googling.

[xsquid77]

Thanks for all the non-smartassical replies. Lol @ "because I just know you will want to cruise without sails, with a large amount of weapons and a fully equipped hospital. And a few thousand of your best mates on board at all times" yeh - not so much. (N.ever A.gain V.olenteer Y.ourself). No at this point the details are hazy - but it's not just about a trip. I want to live out there on it for a few years maby longer. Sell off the investment homes and the cars (I noticed many are willing to accept nice cars in trade) and bringing someone with? Well I haven't settled down yet (another bag of worms) but she'd better be prepared to pack her bags or I guess it's a deal breaker ;p - or just get a divorce lol. I guess I'll start with somthing small. I live in n.carolina so I guess start with Bermuda and back, maby Florida or further south ( I have about 5 months off a year and travel to Europe/Asia and around the states for work the rest of the time(fall and spring)) so this is very doable. What what be a good beginner size that could handle a good beating? I feel maby Im leaning twoards a monohull for starters.

[David M]

xsquid (Hah-great name!),
Whats going to be the deciding factor on whether you buy a catamaran or a "half-hull" is your personal preferences. The best way to find out is to do a number of charter vacations on both. (you better find a girlfriend or two real quick)

If cats were the same price as monohulls per foot, then I think there would be a lot fewer monohulls being sold. The fact is cats are roughly 1.5 times more expensive per foot but for that money you have a lot more room, on a per foot basis. Plus you are not living down in a teak cave. I'm sure people will counter what I said but thats the fun of comparing the two types of boats.

If you do a search, you will find an abundance of threads comparing monohulls to catamarans...sometimes heated, sometimes civil.

Welcome to Cruisers Forum!

[Palarran]

Here's a 36 pager:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...lboat-115.html

[imagine2frolic]

I am LMAO right now. Almost 2 to 1 preference for multis. That in itself says a lot........i2f

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

I am LMAO right now. Almost 2 to 1 preference for multis. That in itself says a lot........i2f

The thread is in the MULTI-hull forum! Real people don't come here! I just accidently clicked the wrong button while trying to download porn.

[Fishman_Tx]

Xsquid, it really does all boil down to personal preference. both are stable in there own ways, both have advantages and disadvantages. Charter both and decide for yourself.
Start here (a little biased toward the Cat on some):

Multihull Advantages - Catamaran vs. Monohull

Catamaran Vs Monohull

Sailing - Monohull Vs Multihull - BoatSafe.com

[nautical62]

I think the big problem talking about the differences between catamarans and monohulls is that each can vary significantly in design, features, expense, etc. There certainly are examples of both that safely and routinely have circumnavigated. There are also examples of both that routinely do not handle weather well at all.

Personally, I'd love to have a catamaran as a retirement boat. I like life better flat than at 35 degrees. For long term living, I like the way they spread sleeping accomodations out more like a home does. I like that you just step into the saloon instead of having to negotiate steep steps. I like the panoramic view from inside. I love gunkholing in the Bahamas and love the shallow draft many catamarans offer.

So why did I just purchase another cruising monohull? In a word: Cost. As much as I'd like a catamaran, the fact is I can purchase a monohull that will get me where I want to go just fine for 1/4 the price. Is a catamaran still in the future some day? Only time will tell.

What I strongly believe is that for the most part, something that makes your dream happen now is a better option than waiting until you can afford that same dream in more style. That may never come.

I think what is right for you depends on your own priorities and your personal finances.

[Fishman_Tx]

Yes but one doesn't have to start with a 1/2 to 3/4 million dollar boat either. There are quite a few "reasonably" priced cats and from what I've seen "good" monos aren't THAT cheap either. "Good" monos are running 1500-2k per foot. I'm not going to express my opinion of a good reasonable starter cat cuz some of ya'll will probably flame me for MY choice. Trouble is, things ain't what they used to be, but those who nay-say aren't keeping up with it just going on old info. And I'm a mono owner!

Aww screw it....Gemini 105mc

.02c