Which powercat for non ocean-crossing cruising

[sgunes]

I am considering retiring in 1-2 years and would like to get a powercat to initially cruise the Caribbean, then Alaska and as the furthest maybe Galapagos (900nm from Ecuador). Real ocean-crossing powercats would be too expensive but powercats that have about 1200nm range (some with additional tanks) could serve us well. At some point, we may ship it from the West coast to Australia and work our way towards Europe (and then again ship it to the East coast).
As we are just a couple, anything in the 38 to 50 foot range with 2 staterooms and 2 heads would be sufficient.
Would about $300k be sufficient for a new or almost new powercat, that would be able to do this?
If the Galapagos range requirement adds too much to the price, how much would it save us if we stay mainly close to coasts (300 - 500nm range)?
I looked at Leopard 39PC, Aquila 44, FP Summerland 40 and similar powercats.
Is $300k too low to get a modern and safe powercat?
Any advice would be appreciated.

[donradcliffe]

Take a look at the Manta 44.

[sgunes]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

Take a look at the Manta 44.

I found this thread on CF.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...4-a-37993.html

I saw a 2006 model (now 10 years old) for sale at $400K
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2006...s#.VpxzWPkrJEo

Looks like they are not produced any more.

Is the target of $300K too low to get a newer (5 years or less) powercat?

[Bruce K]

Anything with Brady, Schionning or Tennant in the name. Probably not enough money for a near new.

[KidSheeleen]

might try Endevor Marine in Florida. they make new ones and sale used multi hulls. Bob Vincent (owner) 727-573-5377 or websit.

[sgunes]

Originally Posted by Bruce K

Anything with Brady, Schionning or Tennant in the name. Probably not enough money for a near new.

I looked at Yachtworld and there were a few 6-8 year old Charter Leopard 39 cats available for $330K to $350K. They had a lot of hours on their engines.

I agree with you that the price target probably has to be increased to $350 to $400 to get something that is newer and reliable.

I saw somewhere that the price of a F-P Summerland 40 LC is about 380,000 Euro which is close to $400K. It would give me full factory warranty and many places to get it fixed.

Update: looks like a new FP 37 is about $450k.
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2016...e#.Vp2w9PFUlqg

[valhalla360]

Might want to consider a sail cat and simply pull the mast (or keep and have a really great antenna plus backup propulsion). This will give you a lot more options as the sail market is much larger and far more of the sail models are outfitted for long distance cruising.

For long distance, you are going to be limited to displacement speeds anyway, so a pair of 20-50hp engines you get in a sail cat are just fine. It's certainly possible to add additional tankage to boost the range.

Our little 34' cat with an outboard has a range of around 360miles and if I was willing to slow down to 4-5kts, I could probably boost that to 500 or so without increased tankage. I'm sure a 40' diesel ran at economical speeds could easily be set up to give you 1000mile range or more if you add an extra tank or two.

Keep in mind if you are looking at 900miles to the galapogos, you probably want something more like 1500 mile range in case you run into issues like strong head winds or adverse currents. You don't want to plan on coasting in on fumes.

[sgunes]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Might want to consider a sail cat and simply pull the mast (or keep and have a really great antenna plus backup propulsion). This will give you a lot more options as the sail market is much larger and far more of the sail models are outfitted for long distance cruising.

For long distance, you are going to be limited to displacement speeds anyway, so a pair of 20-50hp engines you get in a sail cat are just fine. It's certainly possible to add additional tankage to boost the range.

Our little 34' cat with an outboard has a range of around 360miles and if I was willing to slow down to 4-5kts, I could probably boost that to 500 or so without increased tankage. I'm sure a 40' diesel ran at economical speeds could easily be set up to give you 1000mile range or more if you add an extra tank or two.

Keep in mind if you are looking at 900miles to the galapogos, you probably want something more like 1500 mile range in case you run into issues like strong head winds or adverse currents. You don't want to plan on coasting in on fumes.

That sounds like a very good idea as there are way more sailing cats available than motor cats. With time, I may get used to sailing and have it available as backup propulsion if the engines go down.

When I checked on Yachtworld for sailing cats between 30 and 50 feet built between 2006 and 2016 for $200K to $300K I had 172 hits. Now I have to figure out which sailing cat has the best motoring-only range.

[sgunes]

Looking at sailing cats in the 38 to 41 foot range with at least 2 heads and less than 10 years old, there are many on the market:
2008 Lagoon 380 S2 $170K
2008 Lagoon 380 S2 Premium Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

2009 F-P Lavezzi 40 $185K
2009 Fountaine Pajot LAVEZZI 40 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

2011 F-P Lipari 41 $212K
2011 Fountaine Pajot Lipari 41 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Something in that range would leave about $30K - 50K to update engine/electronics and get it back in good shape. I wouldn't mind picking one up in Europe or the Caribbean Islands.
Using a furling Genoa should be pretty easy even for a non-sailor.