Old, Solid, Slow but Reliable Cats - Which Would You Choose ?

[Factor]

Originally Posted by Tropic Cat

. ......the only boat to survive the Queens Birthday storm at ground zero without damage or injuries, and 25 years later is still crossing oceans..... is not for everyone?

I thought that Ramtha - a simpson also survived the storm? and that Heartbeat - the catalac, didn't - through no fault of its own I might add. Strange owners decided it needed to be sent to a higher plane or something equally weird, up till then it was happily floating and in reasonable shape?

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by Factor

I thought that Ramtha - a simpson also survived the storm? ...

Yes, but with damage, and you're right about the crew aboard Heartlight. The Catalac was undamaged but the crew became somewhat unbalanced after 3 days in the middle of that storm.

I don't think that's unusual. It's happened to the best of folks. Hurricanes are something else...

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

I'm surprised that no one has mentionned Privilege, the 37 or 39.

I did! Didn't I?

P36 and 37 - very, very nice. I would like one.

b.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Tropic Cat

LOL..... The boat voted the best live aboard catamaran in it's era and the only boat to survive the Queens Birthday storm at ground zero without damage or injuries, and 25 years later is still crossing oceans..... is not for everyone?

That's one amazing observation from someone who has most likely never been aboard the boat. I would fully agree that the Catalacs are dated by comparison to today's models. yet they are the most successful line of catamarans built, and are well respected boats for a reason. For what they cost these days, there are damn few boats that compare to them.

Out of curiosity, to what do you attribute your comment? And what do you think the criteria for an affordable cruising catamaran should be?

Yes - some people find Catalacs ugly. NO - I am not one of them. In fact I think they look very funny in the boatyard and I sort of like the look - much nicer than many modern, sharp lines!

The era you mention was excuse me WHEN? I must have missed that; I was born '68 - post Catalac, post Cadillac! I collect marine antiques though!

Yes - I have been aboard a Catalac. And YES - it was not the 1200 model. It was a 10 meter model (at least according to the owner). I also know the 9M.

You can call this:
http://www.sailboatdata.com/imagehel...p?FILE_id=7823
beautiful. You know what Shakespeare once said and I subscribe to his point of view.

As for your final question: I would say affordable is what one can afford. Cruising is many different things.

I think Catalac is a great boat and I met few people who like them. Unfair, but in line with how most people judge - by the looks.

PS I would not call on Queen's Birthday's Storm to be the judge. One good wave onto those oversize windows and the luck might have taken a different turn.

Cheers,
b.

[limejucer]

Down side on prout going into F5+ with choppy steep seas the windows do leak until they are sealed with tape on outside. Going to try resealing with a silicone rubber myself when i get to Job.

[Joli]

I've found butyl tape works the best for sealing windows.

Originally Posted by limejucer

Down side on prout going into F5+ with choppy steep seas the windows do leak until they are sealed with tape on outside. Going to try resealing with a silicone rubber myself when i get to Job.

[Tropic Cat]

I love butyl tape for stanchions and such, but sometimes with these windows it's nearly impossible to take them apart. Are the Prout windows in metal frames like the Catalac? If so, there's a fix on my website.

[limejucer]

Not in metal frames but surface mounted on the Topside fiberglass structure.
the fiberglass and plastic windows are nearly bullet proof in construction but the warping under punchy load is enought to alow some leakage.
By the way i like your website tropic cat

[harlie]

The “Good Cat – Bad Cat” write up is just a blatant advertisement for FP, they apparently are the only “Good Cat” produced, after one labels everything a Bad Cat that has a flybridge, or over tunnel berths, or rear helms, or slim hulls, or Balsa cored – (osmosis must be ok as long as it has foam core) … ect ect - FP models simply have no trade offs, no compromises, just brilliant designs all round.

I know my choice definitely has its down sides – I’ve mentioned them many times, but please – that’s a joke right?…

[snort]

Originally Posted by harlie

The “Good Cat – Bad Cat” write up is just a blatant advertisement for FP, they apparently are the only “Good Cat” produced, after one labels everything a Bad Cat that has a flybridge, or over tunnel berths, or rear helms, or slim hulls, or Balsa cored – (osmosis must be ok as long as it has foam core) … ect ect - FP models simply have no trade offs, no compromises, just brilliant designs all round.

I know my choice definitely has its down sides – I’ve mentioned them many times, but please – that’s a joke right?…

Harlie,
You have a Seawind! You did very, very well. That is one seriously nice production cat. I would love one for my birthday.

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by snort

Harlie,
You have a Seawind! You did very, very well. That is one seriously nice production cat. I would love one for my birthday.

Trying to get up to speed as to what is out there, I'll search any name that I'm not familiar with their offerings. Just came back from the Seawind site, and will return to that site right after this post.

Harlie, what snort said was almost an understatement. Your boat posses "envy-factor" to the point that I'm going to share some of the Seawind pictures I just downloaded. Love those swim steps, and the front ladder is a nice touch.

[smj]

Originally Posted by snort

Harlie,
You have a Seawind! You did very, very well. That is one seriously nice production cat. I would love one for my birthday.

We regreted selling our Seawind 1000 so much that we just bought another one! Let the fun begin

[deckofficer]

I'm able to do this with YouTube, wonder if I can pull it off with vimeo. The preview says I wasn't successful, so click if curious.

Seawind 1250 Catamaran's Design & Sea Trials on Vimeo

[Sand crab]

Deckofficer, is that an XL in the pics?

[snort]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

Deckofficer, is that an XL in the pics?

It is the XL. The lengthening in just in the sterns.