Monohull or Multihull Sailboat?

[Gisle]

What kind of sailboat do you prefer for cruising - monohull or multihull?

[mkochens]

I guess it's according to where I would be cruising. I knocked around the Bahamas and Caribbean for two years in a 35' Irwin Citation till I ran out of money . In the open ocean I'll take a mono, but in the Islands, there were times I wish I had a multi.

[CaptJason]

My wife says her life is better with a heel why wouldn't mone be too?

[Harriet]

If it weren't for my catamaran, I would be living on land.

[Stede]

I've never sailed on a multi-hull boat.I have been aboard a few at the Annapolis boat shows and was really impressed with the roominess and accomadations they offer.(I never had seen a queen size bed on a sailboat before) I guess until I have the opportunity to sail aboard one,I'm keeping an open mind about them.

[CSY Man]

Well, guess I voted with my wallet some years ago when I bought my first cruising boat, mono-hull....They sort of look "righter"....

Undestand that cats are gaining ground and more and more folks convert over.

Not sure I will be in that other camp anytime soon, happy with my slow and heavy boat....Among other things, she is paid for..

The Dashews in their bible, "The Encyclopedia of Cruising" or whatever their big book is called, goes into details on the pros and cons of multi versus mono hull: Their conclusion was something like: Monohulls are more forgiving and therefore more suited for offshore conditions or some such statement...Been a year since I read it...Don't shoot the messager however, go and talk to the Dashews if ya don't like their conclusions.

Besides that, cats kind of look funny...Like a big toy-boat or something..

[delmarrey]

Sometime take a cruise on a fullsize Cat in a nice breeze. And as far as ocean crossings, most of them are delivered on their own bottoms. Ya just have to learn how to sail them, just like any other vessel. All vessels have their limitations and learning how to manipulate it's advantages is what seperates the pro's from the lackies. Quality is a must!

I find myself drawn to a definition of seamanship penned by Captain
Lincoln Colcord, a ship captain from Maine. Having spent his life at
sea, Captain Colcord defined seamanship as "an attitude and way of life,
which face facts, which deal in realities without evasion, which know
that the only failure is dishonesty and that error is truth betrayed."

[CSY Man]

Hi dellmarrey.

Don't know if ya were talking to me, or commenting in general about guys that don't do no cats.(Or tris)

Been on multihulls in good breezes and can appreciate the speed and lack of heel and all that.

Speedy and level, them are nice bonuses and fine sailing machines the cats are for sure, but uh, just not ready to sell my mono-hulled ship yet...Like it too much I guess.
Maybe in a few years time I get tired of 5.5 knots and 25 degrees of heel and actually join the multi crowd...Maybe not, they kind of look funny....

[delmarrey]

I can agree some multihulls look funny!

[delmarrey]

Doesn't copy right. GOTO the photo section under multihulls. A funny looking trihull.

[CSY Man]

Odd looking for sure....

http://cruisersforum.com/photopost//...t=7&thecat=501

Sailing saucer....? Too much acid in the 60s..?

[Setia]

Hello All,
What a way to get plenty of response! On the last count I have had 5 monos (2 Trailer Sailors) & 2 multis, both Tris. & still cant make up my mind. With age coming on I am less likely to contemplate ocean crossing, therefore prefer Multis as its amazing where you can get to without that big thing hanging off the bottom. For what it's worth here are 2 observations: 1. Since having Gladstone as my home port I have noticed the yearly increase in the number of multis in the Brisbane to G'stone race from 2 to about a third of the fleet. 2. Crew & skippers of multis whether racing or cruising always seem to be that much more relaxed.
Regards, Glen

[delmarrey]

G'day Glen,
From what I understand you boys downunder are putting out a good portion of the multihulls these days. And some fine work too from what I've seen. I've been keeping my eye on the F-41's for a couple of years now. The big Island my be on my shopping cart some day soon. S. Afracia seems to be doing a fair share as well.
Up here in the Pacific NW it's a rare occasion to see a Cat. Some Tri's are around but just the small ones mostly.

fair winds................Del

[Steve Rust]

As someone who has a monohull and a multihull (trimaran) I prefer the multihull for it's superior performance, comfort underway and at anchor, and shallow draft. Normal cruising speed is 7-12 knots but if we want to push it we can crank her up a few more knots. Trimarans excel in light air and we can ghost along in the lightest breeze. Running downwind in a multi is a revelation as you run as fast or faster than the waves. Upwind they are not that much better except the lack of extreme heeling but on all other points of sail the edge goes to the multihull. Although I still enjoy taking the mono out for a rail down bash for an afternoon.

Steve R

[knottybuoyz]

I've been "marginilized" (new politically correct term for discriminated against) and can't vote on this poll!