Researching 34'-45' Cats to live aboard in the Caribben...any thoughts?

[paccrest]

I lived aboard a 42' Westsail when I was 18. Now I'm 50 and I want to get back. Planning to have all my affairs in order in the next 2 years. After looking at several monohulls (I really like the Beneteaus) I think I have mentally converted over to a cat...if I can afford one. I'm hoping to get a 34'-45' cat for under $100k that is reasonably outfitted for living aboard and cruising. Any thoughts on both the possibility of that and also what makes and models of cats I should be looking for. I would like for it to be easily single handed (although most of the time I will have others aboard), would like solar, wind or both generators, auto pilot, gps and descent electronics. I don't think I would want to get into a homebuilt. Too many unknowns. Thoughts...

[ArtM]

I suggest starting with a list of priorities in a liveaboard catamaran for yourself. For example my list looks like this:

1) Liveability
2) Cost
3) Performance

This formula is leading me to older Lagoons or FP's around 40', for example. Under 40 is not liveable (enough) for my taste, over 40' increases cost and decreases ease of handling (i.e. performance).

Although affordable old cats are scarce today, in 2 - 5 years I expect them to be widely available.

[Cotemar]

Stick with a Mono. You will not like to live aboard a sub $100K Cat.
You will be able to a get much better and bigger live aboard Mono in that price range.

[Cheechako]

Pretty hard on that budget, unless you are sticking to caostal waters/bahamas. In that case there are some old cats, often outboard powered that could be a possibility.

[Therapy]

100k is not much for a 34' cat. Maybe a Gemini. But while "liveable" it is nothing like the "norm", that is wide beam.

A 100k 45' cat would be a project for sure, I would think.

Here is what I got at Yactworld search with Lagoon 37-42' 100-120k

Sorry, no matches were found for your search.
Revise your search or try an advanced search. There are over 150,000 boats for sale right now!

Suggest this thread:

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...cts-87193.html

[paccrest]

Thank you for the posts! I have been looking at Geminis, they seem pretty affordable and even the 34' appears to be plenty of room. However, the cost factor of the boat is a definite issue. It seems like a well equipped mono in the 40-45' range can be had for $60-$80k, maybe 20 years old...or am I crazy?

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by paccrest

Thank you for the posts! I have been looking at Geminis, they seem pretty affordable and even the 34' appears to be plenty of room. However, the cost factor of the boat is a definite issue. It seems like a well equipped mono in the 40-45' range can be had for $60-$80k, maybe 20 years old...or am I crazy?

Nope.

Lots of monos out there.

I am a cat (catless) person. They cost for sure.

[ArtM]

In your price range, a PDQ or Gemini will probably be the way to go. Smaller cats (below 38', for example) become uncomfortable for long-term liveaboard, and leads back to mid-sized monohulls which are larger and more widely available.

If you get a Gemini, be prepared to get the daggerboards, throughhulls, and other below-water parts checked and possibly repaired on the inspection haul-out. Once in the water, those are the bits that will be hard to deal with.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by paccrest

Thank you for the posts! I have been looking at Geminis, they seem pretty affordable and even the 34' appears to be plenty of room. However, the cost factor of the boat is a definite issue. It seems like a well equipped mono in the 40-45' range can be had for $60-$80k, maybe 20 years old...or am I crazy?

The key is buying something that doesnt need the big ticket items; engine, sails, rigging, blister repair... otherwise a $40k boat can end up being $75k and lots of work easy.

[ArtM]

Originally Posted by paccrest

Thank you for the posts! I have been looking at Geminis, they seem pretty affordable and even the 34' appears to be plenty of room. However, the cost factor of the boat is a definite issue. It seems like a well equipped mono in the 40-45' range can be had for $60-$80k, maybe 20 years old...or am I crazy?

You are not crazy. Below 38', multihulls start to make less sense for long-term liveaboard usage - the Gemini being among the better smaller liveaboards - and monohulls start to look more attractive.

[Rubikoop]

There are a few out there. http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...imeyachtsales&

[ArtM]

Originally Posted by Rubikoop

There are a few out there. Maritime Yacht Sales (St. Thomas, Virgin Islands (US))

Ah, the packet cat! I had to see that forward hull shot for it to click.

Though very nice and affordable boats in many ways, they are not true cats, nor even are they "multi-hull" by my reckoning. Also, the main salon is very much below-deck - nearly as much as a monohull.

I was onboard one in person, though I did not sail. It is wide, tall, and slow. It has a spacious interior, and shallow draft. An interesting unique design that I feel is in a category of it's own.

[Rubikoop]

Unique is perhaps a very kind description. :-) To live on it seems very comfortable for the price. The shallow bridge deck would concern me for comfortable cruising however.

[paccrest]

Originally Posted by Rubikoop

Unique is perhaps a very kind description. :-) To live on it seems very comfortable for the price. The shallow bridge deck would concern me for comfortable cruising however.

I have seen this boat listed. Seems like an awkward cat/multihull/whatever. I really don't know anything about the Packet Cat but from appearances...not intriqued.

[Double-Wide]

The idea that cats under 40' are not live able is just plain crazy. Take a look at the katikat blog about sailing a Seawind 1000 (33') for many years around the Pacific. It might be a bit above the target price but would out sail the Gemini's.

A 33' cat would have more living space that most 40' mono hulls and stay level.