Boat Beauty Contest!

[ssullivan]

That's it!

A gunboat! That is the only cat I ever saw that I thought was sexy. In fact, now that you have posted a picture of one, I was able to find the exact boat I saw in Newport, RI two summers ago that I thought was just incredible. It was a cat called Icon (of Hamble). She's not of London anymore, as this link says she is:

Gunboat 42 #4 launched in St Martin

(link above says 42... but she's a 62!)

Check her out. She was soooo beautiful. She had deep blue night-effect deck lights here and there in addition to her anchor light. We anchored over each other's anchors more than once that summer. (it's a tight spot)

The owner was a younger guy. Early 30's, tops? He made us feel very VERY poor. ha ha

[sluissa]

I just can't get used to Cats, honestly. Any boat is better than no boat though, so will give them that.

I do like small Hobies and such, but i think that's because they can get up on one hull. They look best that way. On the other hand, monos are that way all the time. :P

I happen to like Sean's cat, since from certain angles it almost looks like a mono.

I have to say though, some of those bigger boats don't look much better, IMHO.

[David M]

There is something about fair lines that is beautiful. Its like looking at a fighter jet, a F-1 race car or a barracuda....the aerodynamic or hydrodynamic lines necessary minimize resistance and to make speed is beautiful.

[Pelagic]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

Pelagic,


HUMMMMMMMMM.....looks like sisters to me......LOLOLOLOL

My first time trying to post a photo but the sistership is equally as pretty lol

[Zeus]

Best one so far is the wooden sail by acustic with the older couple. WOW, that is an elegant boat.

[azjayhawker]

I have to agree that wooden boat posted by acustic is won beeeutiful lady kinda like Liz Taylors lavender eyes...

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by Whimsical

Sean
While I would agree in some ways the more you think cats the more you will come to see monos as fat and barge like especially the more modern wide ass creations.

Look at a cat with slender hulls and they exude performance. I see the comparison along the lines of a wide racer such as a F1, or Indy car for the yanks, compared to some sort of transport van or RV. While the racer may not be beautiful as such it is a lot more sexy.

A head on view of a cat with a wide stance on slim hulls and with good bridgedeck clearance suggests a real purpose with determination.





Flame suit on
Mike

I have a quota. I have 5 nice things I can say about cats per year. So, here's 2008 #1 -- as cats go, I wouldn't kick her out of bed for being slow to come about.

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by By Invitation

I'm partial to my own boat.

I think I'm in LOVE!

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by Acoustic

Subjective? There are some boats I think most every one can agree on.... At least aesthetically..








We Mainer's certainly have no shortage of boat porn!!

The maintenance on the first one makes me wince just thinking about it, but boy is she an elegant lady! Same goes for three and five!

[Southern Star]

It funny, I just posted on the cat vs. mono thread some comments concerning those who say 'cats are ugly' and this really proves my point. Virtually the only monos here are 'vintage' designs with sweeping sheers, long overhangs, relatively low freeboard and narrow beam. Are the owners of modern monos starting to realize that in an effort to come close to the efficiency of a catamaran, modern monos are also starting to emphasize function over form? That the paradigm of the 'beautiful' monohull is a thing of the past?

Brad

[imagine2frolic]

Pelagic,,,,,,,,

I am talking about the Almond eyes.......LOLOLOLOL

[Whimsical]

Originally Posted by Southern Star

Virtually the only monos here are 'vintage' designs with sweeping sheers, long overhangs, relatively low freeboard and narrow beam. Brad

Lots of curves in the oldies, if I may crudely suggest just like a woman.
That is what attracts me to the Schionning design cats. Many cats and modern monos have none or very few. Take the gunboat, hard and sharp sheer line flat panels and straight lines on the cabin and that hard angle up from the transome

Mike

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by Southern Star

It funny, I just posted on the cat vs. mono thread some comments concerning those who say 'cats are ugly' and this really proves my point. Virtually the only monos here are 'vintage' designs with sweeping sheers, long overhangs, relatively low freeboard and narrow beam. Are the owners of modern monos starting to realize that in an effort to come close to the efficiency of a catamaran, modern monos are also starting to emphasize function over form? That the paradigm of the 'beautiful' monohull is a thing of the past?

Brad

What do you mean by "efficiency"? Sailing fast? How about "efficiency" of cruising comfort or "efficiency" in 50 knot winds and breaking seas? Besides their beauty, that's why a lot of these classic designs are still sought after. If history is any example, in 15 years today's "modern" designs will be on the scrap heap, while these "true blues" will still be sought after. Even so, there are at least plenty of examples of beautiful monohulls out there, but as for cats, ugly goes to the bone.

(and, notice in my profile picture that I am standing on the starboard hull of a big cat. so, it's not like I haven't tried 'em!)

[ssullivan]

Originally Posted by Southern Star

It funny, I just posted on the cat vs. mono thread some comments concerning those who say 'cats are ugly' and this really proves my point. Virtually the only monos here are 'vintage' designs with sweeping sheers, long overhangs, relatively low freeboard and narrow beam. Are the owners of modern monos starting to realize that in an effort to come close to the efficiency of a catamaran, modern monos are also starting to emphasize function over form? That the paradigm of the 'beautiful' monohull is a thing of the past?

Brad

I think you might be onto something, Brad. Interesting.

If only there were some oldie cats out there for us to look at.... made of wood and kept in beautiful condition like some of these sexy monos.

I have to admit though.... that Gunboat is cool.

[imagine2frolic]

How about some Rudy Chow cats?
Proa File | C/S/K

I met a woman years ago whose father owned Aikane. She gave me some pics that are buried somewhere. I had just finished reading a book I think named CATAMARANS, and this is what peaked my interest in them.