Purchasing a multi

[CaliforniaGirl]

We are Californians looking to replace our mono with a multi for extended cruising. It appears as though the vast majority of multi-hulls available in the states are located in Florida. At this time, we're still gathering information on which make/model would best suit our needs. Do you think we would be better-served by attending a Florida boat show to see what is available or by contacting a yacht broker and arranging a visit?

[snort]

They're definitely on the west coast as well. Maybe not in the same numbers as Florida, but they can be found in nearly every price range.
yachtworld, sailboatlistings, craigslist, latitude 38 are the usual suspects to start with.

[travellerw]

Get a good Cat broker (Wylie Sharp, Staley Weidman) and let them know what you are after. They will let you know what is on the market worth looking at and where. Just be aware that the good guys are really busy, so you need to be ready now.

Can you maybe describe a little of what you are after, price range, ect. I have been watching the market for a year or so and have a good idea what is out there in the 38 - 44 foot range.

[CaliforniaGirl]

We know that we want to purchase a 40-50 foot multi in the Southeast (including the Bahamas/BVI areas) for refit (hubby has the skills) and start our cruising in that area. Right now, we're researching what make/model will suit our needs.

There are darned few multis on the West Coast (only two that we know of in our harbor of over 2000 boats). When one is for sale in California, we go check it out, so we have already seen most of what is offered in YachtWorld/Lat 38, etc... Additionally, the boat shows on the West Coast may have just two or three different manufacturers represented plus maybe a couple of brokerage boats.

It's difficult to get a feel for the boats when there are so few available to check out here, and we don't want to spend all of our vacations chartering different types of cats to check them out. To rephrase my question, would get to see more of a variety of boats by going to one of the Florida boat shows or by setting up with a Florida broker and building a relationship for our future purchase? I know that both options have their pros and cons, we're just looking for some educated opinions.

Thanks!

[tomfl]

Wondering how viewing cats at a boat show will give a feel for cats one will be refitting.

New boats at shows usually have features just added to the design that older boats lack. While that may provide ideas for a refit in some cases it is not the approach I would take.

The first thing you should do is come up with a budget for purchase and refit which will help limit the possible boats to look at.

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[leftbrainstuff]

Have to agree that there are relatively few cruising cats on the west coast of the US.

Most Aussies we know buying cats buy new from Europe.

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[FLLCatsailor]

I'm available to chat if you'd like to PM for advice. Only post this since I was mentioned in an above post... Moderators please remove if in violation of the rules.

Kind regards,
Wiley Sharp
Catamaran Specialist
561 613 8985
Wiley@denisonyachtsales.com

[travellerw]

My suggestion would be to build a relationship with a broker then take a trip to Florida. Spend your week viewing boats. I'm pretty sure you will experience the majority of brands and models in the Fort Lauderdale or Miami area.

That was my plan.. I never executed it as I took a risk on a boat in Cuba.

Just a suggestion.. 45-50 feet is pretty big for 2 people. All kinds of logistical problems with a boat that big.

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[nimblemotors]

why not just move to Florida if you are ready to go cruising.
wait for the right deal, cheaper to fix them there.

[snort]

If you're looking to get an idea what's out there in new and larger catamarans, the Strictly Sail boat show in April in Jack London Square will give you some to look at.

[sailbum]

California Girl,

You may have already done this, if not give Kurt a call @ West Coast Multihulls in San Diego. He is very knowledgeable and has a few big cats available for charter out of San Diego and for sale.

Good luck,

Mike

[downunder]

Miami Boat show coming up.

[danchua]

We bought a cat last year in CA and used West Coast Multihulls, as mentioned above, as our buyers broker. Monte Cottrell was our representative and he did a great job for us.

Dan

[roetter]

We are on a Lagoon 450 with just 2 people most of the time, with the occasional non-sailing visitors. Works fine if you have all electric winches. Just raising the main sail on a boat that size manually is a good work out.

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by travellerw

My suggestion would be to build a relationship with a broker then take a trip to Florida. Spend your week viewing boats. I'm pretty sure you will experience the majority of brands and models in the Fort Lauderdale or Miami area.

That was my plan.. I never executed it as I took a risk on a boat in Cuba.

Just a suggestion.. 45-50 feet is pretty big for 2 people. All kinds of logistical problems with a boat that big.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

50ft is twice as big as 40ft!