Quote:
Originally Posted by Notyetonboard  Atlantic42,
I guess I am getting to that point where I realize, unless I have a ton of money, I am either going to get a cat with speed or a cat with lots of stability and comfort. I don't' see many that have both to the degree that would satisfy most. I know that if I was going to the carib from Florida, I could look at smaller cats. If I wanted to do the same from my home, San Diego, I would have to travel south into more difficult waters. So, my question is would a bigger cat, say 46 feet, be a reality for me versus something smaller that may be quicker? |
All else equal, bigger will be faster.
But in general; lighter build, more sail area, narrower hulls at waterline, and higher bridge-deck clearance with less hull structure and more open netting will be faster. Exotic materials such as C-F will be use more extensively to save weight for a given strength, but at greater expense.
A better cruising boat has wider hulls for more lead carrying, more cabin structure and interior accommodations, more "systems" for human convenience, and carry less proportional sail area for safer operation in normal wind ranges. All that means more weight and less performance.
Everything is a compromise.