Which Would You Vote For and Why

[Factor]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Factor, your boat has always held a high interest to me, as it is very light and fast. Because of this I have to ask, does it accelerate and de-accelerate quickly in gusty winds? I have sailed a F28 in the gusty mountain winds of Lake Tahoe, and while fun, I'm thinking all those quick speed changes could get tiresome if prolonged.

Its actually not that light and fast, there are plenty of faster and lighter cats. But in the production end of the market, its a bit better performer than most, length to length. What I do like about it is that it sails very well in very light breeze, eg 5-8 knots, I am often sailing when all the monos and most of the production cats are motoring. It accelerates but nothing at all like an F boat. The 1160 is extremely comfortable, the 1000Xl fine for me but small for some (i'm 195 cms and 100Kilos).

44C's Oram is a much quicker boat than mine and a very comfortable boat at sea.

Originally Posted by deckofficer

I know. All but the PDQ36 are rather fast boats, the Sundeer in crappy confused seas would probably be the fastest with acceptable comfort of the group. Sorry cat fans.

ROFL, the Atlantic would hand it its posterior. Heck I would even put money on 44Cs boat to passage make faster than a sundeer no matter what the weather. The published claimed figures I have seen for a Sundeer would, as I said earlier, make it a podium boat for line honours in the Sydney to Hobart, against 100 foot canting keel, professionally crewed stripped out race sleds with sails that cost more than my boat.

I simply dont believe those figures.

[deckofficer]

If you mean a Bob Oram cat, I've been having problems getting his web page, do you have a link?

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by GeoPowers

+1. We like to browse multis at the boat shows, etc to keep our options open. The Catanas we've seen are fine boats, but their helm position rules them out for us.

Frank

I should listen to you, as you are training the future Laura Dekker in that niece of yours. How ya doing Frank?

[snort]

Based on the cost, I'd go with what I could reasonably afford, so I voted for the PDQ 36.
Just keep on checking yachtworld and other sites. For example, this is one I've never heard of, but it looks like a lot of boat for the price:
1995 Fauroux / Silvestro Catamaran Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

or this one:1988 Flica 35 Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Sometimes a Privilege pops up for around $150K, and these are always worth a look.

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by snort

Based on the cost, I'd go with what I could reasonably afford, so I voted for the PDQ 36.
Just keep on checking yachtworld and other sites. For example, this is one I've never heard of, but it looks like a lot of boat for the price:
1995 Fauroux / Silvestro Catamaran Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

or this one:1988 Flica 35 Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Sometimes a Privilege pops up for around $150K, and these are always worth a look.

Snort, interesting cat at 40' but only 11,000 lbs. The PDQ at 36' is 8500 and powered by two 9.9's as is your suggestion. For a cat as light as both of these, I have no problems saving massive weight by using outboards and think 12,000 lbs, if having low windage would be the max for a pair of 9.9's.

[downunder]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

If you mean a Bob Oram cat, I've been having problems getting his web page, do you have a link?

To my understanding Bob Oram has retired to build his own cat and taken his website down.

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by downunder

To my understanding Bob Oram has retired to build his own cat and taken his website down.

Another reason for CF's popularity, wealth of up to date info, thanks.

[HapaPops]

Originally Posted by snort

Based on the cost, I'd go with what I could reasonably afford, so I voted for the PDQ 36.
Just keep on checking yachtworld and other sites. For example, this is one I've never heard of, but it looks like a lot of boat for the price:
1995 Fauroux / Silvestro Catamaran Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

or this one:1988 Flica 35 Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Sometimes a Privilege pops up for around $150K, and these are always worth a look.

My family would be happy as clams with the Fauroux Cat - and so would I.

[ohdrinkboy]

I voted for the PDQ36. As I get older, my abilities will be less. I want less to maintain. Plus I'd rather turn the $$ into a bigger cruising kitty for seeing the world. If I'm sick of the boat, it would be nice to get an efficiency for a few weeks or a month.

I'm in the less is more camp right now....sssshhhhh don't tell the admiral.

[SailingwithSoul]

Out of only the choices given, I would have to go for the Catana, with the PDQ as a very close second choice.

Catana's are really beautiful cats. They only negative aspect (for me) is the exposed wheels. A Chris White Atlantic is nice, but I think gunboat beats it in looks, comfort and speed.

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by SailingwithSoul

Out of only the choices given, I would have to go for the Catana, with the PDQ as a very close second choice.

Catana's are really beautiful cats. They only negative aspect (for me) is the exposed wheels. A Chris White Atlantic is nice, but I think gunboat beats it in looks, comfort and speed.

Looks are subjective, comfort on the hook, granted, at sea I'm not so sure. And speed, I think the comfort would be close for the same speed. As to all out speed, maybe the Gunboat, but at all out speed, so is the comfort. Now on to the small item you didn't mention between the two, cost, and that for me makes the Gunboat a non-contender.

The smaller Catanas, 38'~40', are about 50% more than the PDQ, not twice as much as the 41'~43', so even though not on the poll, is an option for me.

[AllezCat]

Kind of bizarre comparison Atlantic 57 versus Catana 43...
IMO Chris White all the way regarding performance. I am completely convinced the forward cockpit is right for me.
However, back to reality decent payload is imperative, so I would carefully weigh up the pros and cons of each hull...
I have a Catana and have completed a new bulkhead helm - new hydraulic steering etc...Bimini is still fixed above helm - so no sail visibility yet - to be completed..
What about the new Outremer? - seems to have traded some of their abundant speed for necessary cruising payload/comforts - and looks great.

[SailingwithSoul]

The Atlantic 57 is pretty sweet. I do like the way the forward cockpit is organized.

One of the few things I don't like like about the Gunboats (beyond price) is the how they don't have a wheel on the outside. I know it can be had as an option, but why not just make it standard?

[deckofficer]

This is my fault. I went back to my first post and made no mention of which Chris White offering. As much as I would love to have a Atlantic 57, the 42~48 are more in my price range. I'll state the range, after the sale of my principal residence (keeping my tiny vacation digs), a max of $350K, so Gunboats, new Catanas, any CW larger than 48' are not on the table. Cruising grounds to include Alaska, and I'm a solo sailor. I'm leaning towards a Atlantic 42 or the next SMG 50 that comes on the market. Of course when the time comes, a really good (cheap) price on anyone mentioned would carry a lot of weight.

[SearenitySail]

I voted for the PDQ 36. That would be the boat I could afford and be happy with and which would satisfy my present cruising needs/plans.

If I'm spending your money, though, and cruising elsewhere I think I might go for the Chris White boat.

Marshall