Which Catamaran to Buy

[Picknicker72]

Dear forum users,

we want to buy a used catamaran. We want to sail for some month (one year) through the caribean see (and maybe over to europe). We are a family with 2 kids. One important reason for a catamaran is because generally this type of boat offers more space.
Our Budget is up to 100.000 USD.
There are dozends of catamaran brands and types out there, and we are not too much informed about that, so searching for "the right one" is difficult.
From what I have seen, Gemini 105 MC looks like a good boat for a family: There is a big Master Cabin, 2 smaller cabins and a large salon and deck.

Which are other interessting boats?

[white rabbitt]

what about a Hobie Cat ?

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by white rabbitt

what about a Hobie Cat ?

Huh? Care to elaborate?

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by white rabbitt

what about a Hobie Cat ?

That'll make cruising with the family difficult at best!!

[Factor]

Buy Barry's Catana - they arent a bad thing, a bit slow but all in all a good cruising boat

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Factor

Buy Barry's Catana - they arent a bad thing, a bit slow but all in all a good cruising boat

Now you've done it

[Ortolan]

Originally Posted by Picknicker72

Dear forum users,

we want to buy a used catamaran. We want to sail for some month (one year) through the caribean see (and maybe over to europe). We are a family with 2 kids. One important reason for a catamaran is because generally this type of boat offers more space.
Our Budget is up to 100.000 USD.
There are dozends of catamaran brands and types out there, and we are not too much informed about that, so searching for "the right one" is difficult.
From what I have seen, Gemini 105 MC looks like a good boat for a family: There is a big Master Cabin, 2 smaller cabins and a large salon and deck.

Which are other interessting boats?

My first thoughts are, just off the top of my head... not easy to buy a catamaran, even a used one for $100,000. Gemini came to mind. Also Prouts. Check out Yacht World to see what is for sale in your price range. Multihulls- magazine and forum might be good resources also. Check out the boat shows to find ones you like and that way you can gather info to help you decide if you would want a used one.
Good luck to you and be careful... one year may turn into more!
Lori

[colemj]

For that money, you will find good monohulls that will work far better for your needs.

Mark

[Therapy]

Originally Posted by colemj

For that money, you will find good monohulls that will work far better for your needs.

Mark

Yep.

SandCrab has a thread for this right?
....

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Therapy

Yep.

SandCrab has a thread for this right?
....

I think his thread is for cheap multi's, but most of them seem pretty marginal without a lot of work.

Mark

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by colemj

For that money, you will find good monohulls that will work far better for your needs.

Mark

+1. Lots of good older cruising monos out there for under 100K. For a cat in that price range you are likely to be making some serious compromises.

Why are you set on a cat?

If you just have to go down that road, then older PDQ's, Catalacs, Prouts, Geminis, mabye some Wharrams (but beware of poor amateur construction), or similar are your most likely options.

[Sand crab]

+1 on Geminis.
I didn't think you guys cared about that other thread. I just found a 49' tri for 500 bucks. I need to find that listing again and get it posted. Hey if it floats it's worth .5K.

[Sand crab]

I posted it.

[smj]

For that price you could come across a Solaris, Cherokee, Apache, Edel 35, Louisiane 36 possibly a Wildcat and there was even a Privilege 43 in good shape minus engines for half that price. There are a ton of older cats for less than $100,000 that woild fit the bIll. Right place right time.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by smj

For that price you could come across a Solaris, Cherokee, Apache, Edel 35, Louisiane 36 possibly a Wildcat and there was even a Privilege 43 in good shape minus engines for half that price. There are a ton of older cats for less than $100,000 that woild fit the bIll. Right place right time.

I'm not arguing that those boats exist at that price point. My argument is that for $100,000, you will find better, bigger monohulls more suited for a family crossing oceans.

If the price point was $200,000, I would be arguing in the opposite direction.

Mark