Why Do Catamarans Motor Nearly 100%

[Kenomac]

Then it's a good thing he has two engines.

Another reason to like catamarans.

[Juho]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Why the sailing rig?

Most competitive sailors have monohulls. Seeking one's limits in competitions (formal and imagined) makes more sense with them. Those people who want to raise the sails always when that is possible, and would be ashamed not to do that, may most typically live in the monohulls. This approach could explain why some monohulls seem to always sail.

Catamaran people are more often (on average) looking for comfort and style. The rig might be there because it belongs to the style section. Or alternatively it might be useful for those long crossings that you can not motor. In this scenario all traffic close to harbours (the traffic that you usually see) could well be based on motoring.

Maybe it is comfort seeking catamaran and motor sailor people against the sleek monohull sailing purists.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by D&D

A good portion of the 1400L was going through the Panama Canal!

1400L to get thru the canal!? What do you drive?

[belizesailor]

Blah, blah, blah...same old cat vs mono biases. I've got both.

My cat goes to weather well..will pinch to 30 apparent, sail easily at 45. Certainly reasonable for a cruising boat...whether cat or mono. Comfortable seaworthy boat for cruising, but not going to set any performance records.

Mono (Hobie 33) has amazing windward performance. Polars show 28 apparent and it will do it on the water too without pinching. Awesome boat for racing, day sailing, teaching sailing, but would really suck for cruising.

Choose the boat you prefer and that best fits you intended use...who cares what the other guy does...just human nature I guess...glad I lack that gene.

[IdoraKeeper]

Yep! When Ken pulls the trigger on that multi....it will be my chance to pick up a lightly used Oyster! Go Ken Go!

[Jon Eisberg]

Originally Posted by colemj

I think you have cherry-picked your argument to fit your point, Jon.

Now imagine sailing in a cold, rainy gale for 3 days with nothing over your head at all. Hell, would you even notice when your wife jumps ship at the next port?

Well, I don't have to imagine doing the former, having done a bit of that sort of thing over the years... And, as for 'The Admiral' going missing - you're right, I wouldn't notice her absence, since I don't have a wife to begin with...

;-)

When I was about 10 or 11, I first learned what it was like to be on the ocean at night, during an overnight offshore fishing trip off New Jersey. One of my childhood's most memorable adventures, I had never experienced anything like that before, or seen the night sky so free of the light pollution on land, and I was hooked for life... To this day, I find no other experience comparable, more magical, inspiring of reflection and introspection, or likely to remind me of my place in the universe in its proper perspective, than a night spent at sea on a small boat...

Could be just me, but sailing with an unobstructed view of the night sky can make all the difference... My only point was that the fact that many out there today have to some extent insulated themselves from that sort of view, well... that just MIGHT be a contributing factor as to why many cruisers apparently don't enjoy sailing at night as much as some others do...

As always, I could be wrong, of course...

;-)

Oh, and just for the record, I don't buy the notion that cruising multihulls motor nearly 100% of the time... I rarely sail where there is much charter activity, but where tend to cruise, I'd hazard a guess the percentage is something more like 75-80%...

In other words, just about the same as for monohulls, in my observation...

;-)

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Jon Eisberg

Well, I don't have to imagine doing the former, having done a bit of that sort of thing over the years... And, as for 'The Admiral' going missing - you're right, I wouldn't notice her absence, since I don't have a wife to begin with...

;-)

When I was about 10 or 11, I first learned what it was like to be on the ocean at night, during an overnight offshore fishing trip off New Jersey. One of my childhood's most memorable adventures, I had never experienced anything like that before, or seen the night sky so free of the light pollution on land, and I was hooked for life... To this day, I find no other experience comparable, more magical, inspiring of reflection and introspection, or likely to remind me of my place in the universe in its proper perspective, than a night spent at sea on a small boat...

Could be just me, but sailing with an unobstructed view of the night sky can make all the difference... My only point was that the fact that many out there today have to some extent insulated themselves from that sort of view, well... that just MIGHT be a contributing factor as to why many cruisers apparently don't enjoy sailing at night as much as some others do...

As always, I could be wrong, of course...

;-)

As a teenager, we would often go out in our boats off the Lancashire coast fishing. head out 10 miles at 10pm and fish the night and the following morning....... Nothing like looking up at the sky with a cup of coffee in hand enjoying the stars and silence...... I saw my first shooting star whilst out there, and the edges of the aurora borealis when looking towards Scotland in the winter. Was my favourite time and activity.

I much prefer the night watch too if sailing in company.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Jon Eisberg

When I was about 10 or 11, I first learned what it was like to be on the ocean at night, during an overnight offshore fishing trip off New Jersey. One of my childhood's most memorable adventures, I had never experienced anything like that before, or seen the night sky so free of the light pollution on land, and I was hooked for life... To this day, I find no other experience comparable, more magical, inspiring of reflection and introspection, or likely to remind me of my place in the universe in its proper perspective, than a night spent at sea on a small boat...

Could be just me, but sailing with an unobstructed view of the night sky can make all the difference... My only point was that the fact that many out there today have to some extent insulated themselves from that sort of view, well... that just MIGHT be a contributing factor as to why many cruisers apparently don't enjoy sailing at night as much as some others do...

As always, I could be wrong, of course...

;-)

Yes, night sailing in perfect conditions can be magical. Night sailing in non-perfect conditions can be downright nasty. I bet you experience more of the latter than the former. Heck, it doesn't take a gale - just a 5* drop in temp below the dew point can make an open cockpit uncomfortable.

Many of us out there today live in constant intense sun and see the full starry night sky without any light pollution every single night. Frankly, I get more mesmerized watching the phosphorescence wake while underway at night because the milky way has become so normal. And I'm an astronomy buff.

For us, protection from the elements is our primary concern. If we do want to watch the night sky on those perfect nights, we just lie in the trampolines or sit on the side decks. Having done many passages in not-so-perfect weather in open or poorly covered cockpits, I will gladly join the ranks of your "Kroozers" to remain un-sunburned, warm and dry.

Frankly, I doubt your premise. I find it difficult to believe that something as simple as not seeing stars in perfect weather contributes in any way as to why many cruisers don't enjoy sailing at night (if that is even a true premise). We meet people cruising who see the same sky we do every night and still don't like night sailing. I think that to the extent it exists, it has to do with many other factors beyond that.

However, it does support the categorization of your preferred POV…

Mark

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Jon Eisberg

Oh, and just for the record, I don't buy the notion that cruising multihulls motor nearly 100% of the time... I rarely sail where there is much charter activity, but where tend to cruise, I'd hazard a guess the percentage is something more like 75-80%...

In other words, just about the same as for monohulls, in my observation...

Please re-read the title of the thread. The premise is stated as a fact and no argument about it is brooked (note D&D's and SimonV's issues). Please contribute only in a way that reinforces the premise or leave it alone.

Mark

[Kenomac]

Colemj,

Can you please take your instigative bickering elsewhere, but feel free to join the conversation in a positive, constructive manner.

Thanks

Ken

[colemj]

Please don't tell people what to do (even if it does prove the point of the argument ).

Thanks

Mark

[robert sailor]

Night sailing is fine, we have done more than our share over the years. I too have felt my insignificance while watching the stars at night but we do have a bimini because as full time cruisers the sun is our enemy during the day. I don't have any fear while sailing at night but I always love the sunrise, the light, the warmth, its a nice feeling each morning at sea.

Some mono hulls like some Cats don't really sail that well either to weather or in winds under 12 knots and I can certainly see why the owner chooses to motor instead of sail, don't really see why people get so defensive.

[MIRELOS]

can't motor across an ocean, a short distance and port to make before dusk.. I'd motor if faster than sailing, all depends on the wind.

[BadKitty]

I don't motor 100% of the time, very little as a matter of fact.
Question - I watch monos at anchor swaying back and forth - why is that?

[nigel1]

A few posts have been removed, please everyone, try and be civil towards each other.

Thanks