Powered Catamarans

[Bigted]

Has anybody regretted buying a 9-11m powered catamaran?
What traps are there to look out for when selecting?
Alloy or fibreglass?
Inboard or outboard powered?
Just dreaming of what to buy next...
Thanks

[mcarthur]

I don't think you'll get too many answers to such a question - it's like asking do you regret buying the sports car: some will say yes for personal reasons, some will say "no way". Also there simply aren't many of that type/style of boat out there, at least in production but even one-offs.

Best thing would be to have a read and watch (YT) some walkaround reviews, but realizing they're often done by sales people (). Have a look for:
- Fountaine Pajot Greenland 34
- Fountaine Pajot Maryland 37
- Fountaine Pajot Highland 35
- Fountaine Pajot MY37
- PDQ 34
- Leopard 37PC
- Endeavour 36
They are the only production power cats I know of...

You won't find any in alloy that small as the weight penalty is too much (not to mention cost); the smallest aluminium I've heard of as a powercat is ours at 50'. There is the Banana 43's as sailing cats in aluminium. All those in your size range will be composite of some form or other.

Only a few will be outboard powered, the vast majority are diesel inboard. Roger Hill's done some outboard and there are definitely other one-offs around the place.

Inboard vs outboard depends on what you're wanting to use it for, how often, and where...

[Pelican_38]

Originally Posted by mcarthur

You won't find any in alloy that small as the weight penalty is too much (not to mention cost); the smallest aluminium I've heard of as a powercat is ours at 50'.

I agree with most of your comments. But I think you can find them smaller than 50'. I'm 38' - much smaller than that might be a problem.

[mikedefieslife]

Aventura 10
Herley 10

Gemini Freestyle with two 90hp engines pushing it over 20knts if required.
Aquila 32

the later two are more like day or weekend boats though.

I've seen a fair few aluminium sailing cats less than 11m. Not many powercats.

If you are looking for a super cheap option, a Catalac 10 with a pair of 100hp engines would make for a fun power cat. It's hull shape with the flat square sections at the stern and narrow beam are very similar to power cat designs. There is a video somewhere of one doing about 20 knts.

[mcarthur]

Originally Posted by Pelican_38

I agree with most of your comments. But I think you can find them smaller than 50'. I'm 38' - much smaller than that might be a problem.

Whoops - of course! Sorry about that. You have a great example of building exactly what you want.

[mvweebles]

Originally Posted by Bigted

Has anybody regretted buying a 9-11m powered catamaran?
What traps are there to look out for when selecting?
Alloy or fibreglass?
Inboard or outboard powered?
Just dreaming of what to buy next...
Thanks

11m is pretty small. You may want to try TrawlerForum (sister site to CF) or TheHullTruth.com which seems to have smaller boats, more fishing style or trailerable (good place for electronics, though not sail specific)

[barnakiel]

I sailed a power cat when we lived in Sweden (2012). It was a Scottish fishing hull converted to a cruising boat (custom job). GRP. Two inboard diesels.



From the utility point of view, she was AWESOME. Imho future cruising is all about power cats.


We had two MD 55hp engines there and she was about 10 tons. We powered effortlessly into plenty of nasty chop and very brisk Nordic winds. That boat was about perfect.



I can easily imagine myself cruising in a power cat one day.


b.