Opinions on the St Francis 50 please

[Gludy]

One of the cats I am looking at and will be soon trying is the St Francis 50.

Apparently you can sail at about ten knots in ten knots of true wind and whilst not as fast as some others, it does seem a reasonable quality boat that can be bespoke designed a fair degree.

Has anyone ever sailed in one?

Does anyone have any comments?

This month I will have sailed in at least three of my short list - a Fast cat - A St Francis 50 and a Leipard 46 - all SA boats!!!

I hope to fit in a Privilege and make it 4 cats this month.

I think the Lagoon and FP are beginning to fade from the list.

[Joli]

Have fun in your search for a new boat. Good to see another power boater come to the dark side.

One note of caution: a 10 knot average is very dificult thing to do on passages. This years ARC's fleet (close to 300 boats) had 10 boats that averaged 200 mile day (i.e. 8.33 knots) and the only multi to do so was the Lagoon 67. This was trade wind sailing at its best.

A good rule of thumb for speed: More waterline is faster regardless of the number of hulls. :cubalibre

[Joli]

Hey!

Cool, I'm over 1000 posts.

[freetime]

Gludy, give us a report after each testsailing!

[fastcat435]

Originally Posted by freetime

Gludy, give us a report after each testsailing!

The St Francis is a very good cat , spacious , reasonable fast , comfortable , lots of beds and cabins and very well build .
I have owned one for almost 4 years and she has never let me down , the best speed I have seen was a touch over 20 knots and that was still in comfort.
An average cruising speed of 8 to 9 knots is possible given the right wind and weather conditions. The pointing is not great but 50 degrees app. can be achieved.
Mine weights 11.5 tons and is the lightest one build to date as far as I know.
She is fully airconditioned and heated , and has all the goodies one might want on a boat and is still lightweight .

Greetings

Gideon

[fastcat435]

Originally Posted by Joli

Hey!

Cool, I'm over 1000 posts.

Congratulations , always a pleasure to read your posts

Gideon

[Gludy]

Yes I am coming over to the dark side ahead of a fair few to follow with a fuel price forecast of about $14USA per gallon within 18 months and a fuel price now of about $11 USA a gallon!

I appreciate that a ten knot average maybe hard to get and I am not rigid about that but I would like the 200 miles a day stuff.

One of the advantages of a larger boat is the longer WL length and higher hull speed.

I am probably video each test and post it on the web.
Each person has individual tastes and needs so I am not into a critical posting of any boat - more of a resume of what it offers as plus and minus points.

[Joli]

Thank you Gideon, I enjoy your posts as well.

Originally Posted by fastcat435

Congratulations , always a pleasure to read your posts

Gideon

[Joli]

Yes, I heard a startling fact today. 300 million new drivers in China by 2012. I will miss my SUV for sure.

Enjoy your visit with Gideon. Always good to discuss boats with a fellow that has a few sea miles.

Originally Posted by Gludy

Yes I am coming over to the dark side ahead of a fair few to follow with a fuel price forecast of about $14USA per gallon within 18 months and a fuel price now of about $11 USA a gallon!

I appreciate that a ten knot average maybe hard to get and I am not rigid about that but I would like the 200 miles a day stuff.

One of the advantages of a larger boat is the longer WL length and higher hull speed.

I am probably video each test and post it on the web.
Each person has individual tastes and needs so I am not into a critical posting of any boat - more of a resume of what it offers as plus and minus points.

[schoonerdog]

Gludy, by all means tell us winds, point of sail, and speed on the boats you're test sailing. Were it me, I would also be very interested in how far the boat would sink should she have a hole amidships (which is the worst possible place) should you pop out a thru hull, clearance underneath, quality of the building materials, especially in things like the core materials and building processes.

[Lodesman]

Originally Posted by Joli

Yes, I heard a startling fact today. 300 million new drivers in China by 2012.

What the heck are they going to drive - the average yearly income is less than US$2000 (yeah, you read that right - YEARLY). If we can't afford gas, how does anyone expect them to?

[Gludy]

Good point but no matter how you look at it, they will increase demand - expensive gas is here to stay.

[freetime]

2007 St Francis Catamaran For Sale

One for sale...

[Gludy]

There are two other St Francis 50's for sale - one a demo 2008 and one a 2004 - they are a fair bit below the price of that one unless he is quoting AUS $.

The St Francis 50 comes in a fair bit less expensive than the FastCat and has a faster delivery schedule.

I am evolving my thoughts:-

In really heavy weather be it a Fast or slower boat the speed will be limited by the weather right down to almost zero with a parachute out. The lighter boat will have less mass to bang against the sea but may be less comfortable. I do not know.

In just heavy weather, you would again limit the top speed, to say 10 to 14 knots, so probably there is little in it between boats.

Its in winds below 20 knots that the faster boat should show its paces - so really a fast boat is all about how well it performs in light air 0 in all other cases speed does not matter...... do I have that right?

[colemj]

Originally Posted by schoonerdog

Were it me, I would also be very interested in how far the boat would sink should she have a hole amidships (which is the worst possible place) should you pop out a thru hull

Obtaining that info on a test sail will require a very understanding owner...