Which Cat to Buy?

[Europe Sails]

The Nautitech 46 isn´t mentioned here so far.


-Fast (light)
-good sailing
-roomy
-overall good build quality
-interesting helm position (not the flybridge version)

-good value for money


https://youtu.be/OBmQcGv_wAI

[Go Wildcats]

From your experience (everyone please chime in), is there a way to look at specifications and determine the sailing performance (e.g. SA/D)? If utilizing the SA/D, what's the magic number that separates performance cruisers from cruisers? I ask because I've been collecting this data and after adding weight (fuel, provisioning, gear, people, etc), the SA/D's become remarkably close for the most part which makes me think that the SA/D is useless to determine true sailing performance. Hell, Outremer 45's SA/D drops from 26.4 to 21.5 with 6800 pounds of gear, food, people, solar, etc. For perspective, Lagoon 46 would be at 19.8 with the same added weight. I guess the mini keels and wide hulls would negatively impact upwind performance, but for other points of sail, will the Outremer substantively outperform the Lagoon?

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Yes, thanks for reinforcing my point. If it takes 25kts (and a parasailor) to get a boat moving at 9 kts, then yes, quite possibly it'll be a wet ride up forward.

But if you have a boat that can sail at 9 kts in 10-11 kts breeze, (using just the working sails) then up forward it'll be dry and comfortable.

[CatNewBee]

Originally Posted by Go Wildcats

From your experience (everyone please chime in), is there a way to look at specifications and determine the sailing performance (e.g. SA/D)? If utilizing the SA/D, what's the magic number that separates performance cruisers from cruisers? I ask because I've been collecting this data and after adding weight (fuel, provisioning, gear, people, etc), the SA/D's become remarkably close for the most part which makes me think that the SA/D is useless to determine true sailing performance. Hell, Outremer 45's SA/D drops from 26.4 to 21.5 with 6800 pounds of gear, food, people, solar, etc. For perspective, Lagoon 46 would be at 19.8 with the same added weight. I guess the mini keels and wide hulls would negatively impact upwind performance, but for other points of sail, will the Outremer substantively outperform the Lagoon?

A fully equipped L400S2 can sail downwind in average at 0.5 of the AWS, means 5kn at 10kn AWS (15kn TWS) with the Code0 alone. Not too bad. Upwind is another story,.

[44'cruisingcat]

By comparison, with an assymetric spinnaker we can sail downwind at a bit better than 50% TWS, (so roughly twice as fast as above) and in light breeze have reached at better than 100% TWS.

Upwind, around 70-75% TWS at around 30' apparent.

https://youtu.be/c5Ry0s2vhPU

https://youtu.be/eRAOQb0JwaI

https://youtu.be/34qgJRprAlE

[Go Wildcats]

Edit: Oram 44C. You're boat is LITE! Max displacement is 5200kg (11,464 pounds) and sail area is 947 (82 SqM).



---------------
What boat are you sailing?

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

By comparison, with an assymetric spinnaker we can sail downwind at a bit better than 50% TWS, (so roughly twice as fast as above) and in light breeze have reached at better than 100% TWS.

Upwind, around 70-75% TWS at around 30' apparent.

https://youtu.be/c5Ry0s2vhPU

https://youtu.be/eRAOQb0JwaI

https://youtu.be/34qgJRprAlE

[44'cruisingcat]

Yes, although our boat is a slightly modified 44C, and we're a bit over 5200kg. I'd estimate closer to 6000kg.

Working sail area is up a little too, about 90m2.

[Cherod]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

By comparison, with an assymetric spinnaker we can sail downwind at a bit better than 50% TWS, (so roughly twice as fast as above) and in light breeze have reached at better than 100% TWS.

Upwind, around 70-75% TWS at around 30' apparent.

https://youtu.be/c5Ry0s2vhPU

https://youtu.be/eRAOQb0JwaI

https://youtu.be/34qgJRprAlE

is the unloaded stay always that loose ?? ( 3rd vid )

[44'cruisingcat]

No. That was pretty powered up, and I've tightened the stays since then.

[Hartings]

Take a look at the Knysna 500SE’s - beautifully crafted semi-production boats from Sth Africa. Those who have never sailed one often criticise the bridgdeck clearance whereas those who have sailed them love the boats.

[CaptRehab]

We test sailed FP lLipari, Lagoon 380, and a Bavaria/Nautiech Open40. Looked at a Belize, Catana 42, and Naititech 40.2 before buying a Nautitech 441. The 441 would be good for a family of 4 and if you keep it light and skip the AC and generator you would find it sails well. The surveyor commented on how sound the hull and rigging were. Needed a new mainsail.

[Garrett73]

Originally Posted by bob fleege

Just wanted to say be careful when looking at Catana’s. Some have a unique one off French wiring harness. A friends boat was struck by lightening and the entire boat had to be rewired to Internatioal Marine Standards...they couldn’t use any of the old wiring. It cost the insurance Co over 10000.00 just to rewire the entire boat. Can you imagine being in the Indian Ocean and not be able to quick replace at least some of your wiring for vhs, etc. The French wiring loom was undeciferable and in French. Just Saying!!

Bob,
Do you have information on which model/year Catanas have the French wiring harness? Thanks.