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buzzstar · 26-02-2017, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzstar

Anyone with an interest in the subject might want to Google, "offshore oil service vessels" to see what results you get in the photos. Since the oil companies can afford whatever they want it might be instructive. I have not done it myself yet, but am about to, so I suppose I am a risk taker.

Well, I did it and must admit I saw one cat among the dozens (scores?) of images. But if you want a cat, it is no skin off my nose, nor is it any from yours if I do not. Just to be a turd, as many have been to me, and to paraphrase an unremembered anti something campaign, "friends do not recommend catamarans to friends." Still, I do recommend cruising, sailing in particular, over many other activities, and on the vessel of your choice to the extent you have a choice. Screw the choices of others, and select your own as best you can.

Catmandu · 26-02-2017, 17:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by rallyman1122

That don't know better? Careful your basis is showing.

No, no bias, Just saying that people should actually sail them and see what works best. Take them out, sail some distance, spend nights on the anchor or better yet bum rides with people that have boats.

Ten years ago, when my wife and I took a full week of ASA sailing classes in preparation to buy a boat we sailed a 42' cat for 4 days and monohulls for 3. She like sailing the Catalina 22' with the tiller the best ... go figure.

Barra · 26-02-2017, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailjumanji

You know, several people have posted about the higher expense of having a cat in a marina, vs a monohull. I've stayed as long term or transient in marinas all the way from Texas thru Florida and down thru the Exumas. I have never paid more per foot for a marina spot than a monohull. And end ties - or even space along the long piers - have never been more expensive than a slip. In my experience, boaters would rather have docks on both sides, which leaves the end slips vacant. Some of the muni marinas in Texas have even put in wide slips near the bulkhead, and reserved for cats, at the same price as the end ties. Sometimes the water is shallower, but most times its just a little harder to get in and out (which is less of a challenge for a dual-engine cat, vs a single engine whatever).

When we go into a yard, the crane charges by the foot - no upcharge for cat. The yard space is by the foot and day. No upcharge for cat. The two divers that I have used over the years to clean the bottom, charged around 50% more for a cat vs the monohull rate. That's ok because its more hull to clean. But its not twice as costly as some say.

Well dont go much further afield as it will all change for you. One of the biggest negatives to cats IS the extra berthage costs both on land and in water. Heck in Croatia those enterprising souls have even started charging double for cats on mooring balls!

Let alone try and negotiate an alongside berth at mono rates. very rarely happens.

tomfl · 26-02-2017, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barra

Well dont go much further afield as it will all change for you. One of the biggest negatives to cats IS the extra berthage costs both on land and in water. Heck in Croatia those enterprising souls have even started charging double for cats on mooring balls!

Let alone try and negotiate an alongside berth at mono rates. very rarely happens.

CF is an international site but I have to wonder about the breakdown of posters. My experience has been no difference in prices for cats and monohulls. One thing I did differ with sailjumanji is I have never paid extra for getting the hulls cleaned. Part of the reason may be I have two outboards which raise out of the water, no thru hull fittings, and no zinks. I have seen divers charge almost as much for changing zinks and dealing with struts and shafts as they do for cleaning hulls.

**StuM** · 26-02-2017, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

I hear a lot of talk about cruising cats being more popular, but when I look out the window in our 900 boat marina, there is ONE cruising cat, a Catana 40. It sits on a more expensive end tie, and I've seen it out maybe twice a year. There are about a dozen tri's, half of them 40 year old Searunners, and a couple of Gemini's which sit at the dock, but I don't consider any of them capable of cruising.

So where are all these new cats? Are they in stealth mode?? Or is Northern California no country for cruising cats?

Maybe they're all out cruising?
That said, there are at least five based here in Port Moresby in a much smaller marina.

markpierce · 26-02-2017, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzstar

Cats/monos, guns, and anchors/anchoring so seem to draw the most fire or ire, along with the rare valid point, although none persuasive to the other side of the discussion. Oh well, since few of us have a piano on board (maybe a few cats do) it is a good way to exercise the fingers.

Makes me nearly half-tempted to suggest that older sailers should transit from sailboats to trawlers as I did, or there is something wrong with them.

buzzstar · 26-02-2017, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by markpierce

Makes me nearly half-tempted to suggest that older sailers should transit from sailboats to trawlers as I did, or there is something wrong with them.

That could be a fine choice for me when I become old, but I am only 73. Among the problems is being able to afford the fuel. Do not forget that the wind is free.

buzzstar · 26-02-2017, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catmandu

No, no bias, Just saying that people should actually sail them and see what works best. Take them out, sail some distance, spend nights on the anchor or better yet bum rides with people that have boats.

Ten years ago, when my wife and I took a full week of ASA sailing classes in preparation to buy a boat we sailed a 42' cat for 4 days and monohulls for 3. She like sailing the Catalina 22' with the tiller the best ... go figure.

Nothing to figure. Your wife is clearly a wise woman.

**s/v Jedi** · 26-02-2017, 19:46

I'm sure those offshore cats would do great here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPy2DHHnlqQ

rallyman1122 · 26-02-2017, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I'm sure those offshore cats would do great here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPy2DHHnlqQ

Yup that's right. There are just sooo many cruisers out in the North Sea making passage.

PaulinOz · 26-02-2017, 20:53

Quote "Do not forget that the wind is free."

Nothing is free, there is a cost be it small or large in replacement sails, hardware, standing and running rigging. You make your choice and pay the price one way or another.

buzzstar · 26-02-2017, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulinOz

Quote "Do not forget that the wind is free."

Nothing is free, there is a cost be it small or large in replacement sails, hardware, standing and running rigging. You make your choice and pay the price one way or another.

Au contraire, the wind is free; catching it is not. Lunches are not free either. TANSTAAFL.

davefromoregon · 26-02-2017, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I'm sure those offshore cats would do great here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPy2DHHnlqQ

Is there anything smaller that that freighter that would do well in those seas?

J Clark H356 · 26-02-2017, 21:27

This thread got my interest as I thought it vastly overstated that Cats were getting so prevalent. I looked at Google Earth from Mobile Bay east to Port St Joe in marina's there are 12 cats amount hundreds of mono and powerboats. On the GICW from Tarpon Springs to Key West, including Charlotte Harbor and Punta Gorda down to Key West I counted a total of 20 more. I just did this to see,how many there are and it is a very, very small percentage in this part of the country.

So from Kentucky Lake thru Mobile, along the north coast of Alabama and Florida, along the West coast of Flordia, and down to Key West there were 39 cats. Small numbers.