Small Liveaboard Cat Search

[djeeke]

The boat I mentioned previously is now listed click here on ebay
Starting bid 15.000

The owner likes a good salestalk, he mentions someone from Europe is interested in buying his boat !
(hmm I wonder who that would be )...

Funny thing is he is not getting back to me with replies to my questions...

Go figure !

Anyway I have been pointed out by several people this boat would not be a good ocean traveler. Excellent coastal cruiser though... (or maybe it could be OK if one strengthened the hulls as he mentions)

With the correct replies to me and some feedback from a reputable surveyor on ocean capability I would not even made a lower offer than the 20k he was asking previously...

But since he's not interested in selling to me, and especially with all the feedback I got, I'm not pursuing on this boat...

A 37 ft listed for months at 20k and not sold... This also tells a story...

As some already know, I'm off again looking at smaller but proven ocean capable boats !!!

[Tropic Cat]

Wasn't this a response to the other thread???

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...34&postcount=1

I get confused easily on Monday Mornings..

[djeeke]

Originally Posted by Tropic Cat

I get confused easily on Monday Mornings..

Don't worry, that is my fault
I guess I'm very actively looking and as such have a lot of questions

I mentioned the CSK on ebay in this thread !

The other thread is about a modified Iroquois

[djeeke]

Anybody got any idea's on Derek Kelsall designs ???

There is a 1993 Suncat 30 for sale in the UK very well within my budget, I sent the owner a request for information...

Will post any details if/when I get them !

So if anybody can comment on this design, please do

[Southern Star]

Djeeke, Derek Kelsall developed a great reputation for designing performance trimarans and later moved into a wide range of catamarans. He pioneered the KSS (Kelsall Swiftbuild Sandwich) method of construction, where flat panels of GRP/foam core were built and then used in the overall construction of the boat. This particular model looks quite pretty and, again, his boats do tend to be decent performers. The real issue will likely be the quality of the construction and whether it was made by an amateur or a professional yard.

Brad

[djeeke]

Thanks Brad !

Originally Posted by Southern Star

whether it was made by an amateur or a professional yard.

That is one of the many questions I asked ...
Will keep this thread posted with the responses I get...

[djeeke]

No news about the Suncat yet...

We are also considering Prout...

We do see several possible models (within and just over the edge of budget)

Quest 33CS
Snowgoose 34/35
Event 34

Any Prout sailors care to comment on these models?
Good/bad things ?
Things to watch out ?
Any model preferable over the other (and why) ?

Thanks for all feedback !!!

[snort]

For what it's worth, I went to a seminar given by Charles Kanter recently in Oakland and he made a point of mentioning Sail Craft as an exceptionally good bargain for those looking to buy a cruising catamaran. Personally, I'd want something larger than the Iroquois, but I don't know if the other "indians" are out there for sale in any great numbers.

[LookingForCruiser]

I just bought an Iroquois. It's small inside. I only plan to do weekends, maybe a few nights in the summer, extended cruising would be a pain. It's small, no standing headroom, no hot water or shower standard, not much tankage.

The larger ones are probably fine for extended cruising (forget the names - Comanche I think ? and Apache?). The lines start to look a little goofy though (to my eye at least), what's really sleek on the Iroquois doesn't work so well with the different proportions on the larger Sailcraft cats.

[colemj]

We just met a couple with a very well-restored Iroquois cruising in the Bahamas. While there is not standing headroom in the bridgedeck saloon, there is ~6.5ft of headroom in the hulls. I was impressed with this boat - it is well-engineered and had good original equipment. It is a bit small for long-term voyaging, but seems great for coastal cruising and Bahamas/Caribe. You can see their boat on our website (entry "Mahalo" in Blog section) www.svreach.com

Mark

[djeeke]

The owner of the Suncat is supposed to provide me some information today...
I'm curious...

My previous question on comparison between the different 33/34 ft Prouts is still actual too !

Thanks for any feedback as always

[djeeke]

Originally Posted by djeeke

Quest 33CS
Snowgoose 34/35
Event 34

Any Prout sailors care to comment on these models?
Good/bad things ?
Things to watch out ?
Any model preferable over the other (and why) ?

I did get some feedback regarding the Event stating :

"Event 34:- A move on from the 33 with modified hull and new deck. More beam and new stern profile. Interior updated as can be expected from the newest of your list. Increased aft cabin size including full double berth. In performance term , in my opinion the aft cabin mods ruined the sailing performance of this boat. Increased build weight and reduced flow through hulls and nacelle which again was increased to improve internal space."

Someone here to acknowledge or contradict this

If this is true one is be better of choosing an older (and cheaper) Prout than the Event...

Thanks !!!

[djeeke]

No news about the Suncat
Will send a reminder...

Originally Posted by multihullsailor6

an older Cite D'alet might suit you.

Does anybody have information on these cat's from Eric Lerouge?

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by djeeke

If this is true one is be better of choosing an older (and cheaper) Prout than the Event...

It's that dang Prout nacelle. Kind of makes them look like a wannabe Tri..

[Talbot]

Quest 31 and original Snowgoose 35 and 37 were the better sailors when kept to a light weight.

All suffered from a similar problem. The double bunks aft were nice and long but rather narrow, and as soon as cruising weight was added performance died.

The 33 was the first attempt at solving some of the problems, but not very successfully.

The snowgoose elite was then introduced, and was significantly wider. The aft bunks were made into proper proportions by the addition of the bump out, and load carrying was enhanced by wider hulls. Performance in cruising trim was much better than the original snowgoose, but was much worse when in light conditions (no big surprise there) The increase in toys and comfort requirements since the original design has meant that in heavy cruising trim the central nacelle is no submerged and so is the bunk out structure - this really kills the performance!

The Event was introduced with the same concept as the Elite, but in a smaller package, thus better loadcarrying than the 31 or 33, much better accomodation, but poorer light performance.


Thus if you can afford the 34 or an Elite, and keep the weight down such that the central nacelle is not always in the water, then these are still great boats.

If you cant afford these two models, then a 37 snowgoose is the best bet - but be anal about the weight of stuff brought onboard.