Catamaran vs Monohull Costs

[Lt.]

What if I enjoy working on engines? I am a bit of a gear (petrol) head, so engines aren't a big deal, heads (toilets)...... Maybe, but that's what you have to except in return for more space, right.

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by Lt.

What if I enjoy working on engines? I am a bit of a gear (petrol) head, so engines aren't a big deal, heads (toilets)...... Maybe, but that's what you have to except in return for more space, right.

A year or so ago I had some time and with my buddy the Yanmar diesel mechanic as my tutor, I pulled my diesel engines from the boat, and actually rebuilt one. It's about 50% of the complexity of a gasoline engine.

I actually used a traditional racing machine shop to hone my block and regrind the valves. Both operations cost a whopping $40.00.

The most expensive item? New Yanmar engine mounts which cost over $100.00 apiece (you need 4 per engine).

It was a learning experience which I will not have to repeat as I only put on about 100 engine hours a year, and I'm good for 10,000. You do the math..

[cat man do]

There is no real reason why a cat must have two engines

single central diesel with lift up steerable leg in super shockwaves


single central diesel with lift up steerable leg in Fastback 40's


Several catamaran designs have a single diesel in one hull and they track just fine.

Many smaller catamarans 10 metres down have single outboards in a central pod.


No reason why a cat needs two heads either.
Many don't.

[DJBrookster]

This all just proves my point. Cat owners are touchy. They feel the need to justify themselves.

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by DJBrookster

This all just proves my point. Cat owners are touchy. They feel the need to justify themselves.

What point are you proving? Justify themselves how? And as opposed to whom? People who hang out on a cruising forum and feel free to comment when they don't even own a boat?

For the record .. 90% of Catamaran owners are former monohull owners, who upgraded to two hulls for a reason, and had enough money in their cruising kitty to do so.

Lastly, here's a startling fact. If you reread the posts, no one here is trying to sell anyone a catamaran.

Yet... Look who's decided to be so touchy!

Originally Posted by cat man do

There is no real reason why a cat must have two engines

single central diesel with lift up steerable leg in super shockwaves.
Several catamaran designs have a single diesel in one hull and they track just fine.

Many smaller catamarans 10 metres down have single outboards in a central pod.

I've tried it both ways and will disagree. two engines not only make maneuverability simple, the redundancy is comforting.

Originally Posted by cat man do

No reason why a cat needs two heads either.
Many don't.

All Charter boats.

[Jim Cate]

FWIW,

In our cruising areas (Oz, NZ, S Pacific islands) cats are routinely charged extra for marina berths. Differing amounts, but IME, always more than the same length mono.

Cheers,

Jim

[Jon Hacking]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

In our cruising areas (Oz, NZ, S Pacific islands) cats are routinely charged extra for marina berths. Differing amounts, but IME, always more than the same length mono.

We've only used marinas in SE Asia, where some charge an extra ~30% for multis & some don't (even though they may say they do). If they can't get another boat in next to you, they've got a valid point (indeed, they could legitimately charge per slip).

If a cat has 30% more "boat" (beds, heads, living space, etc) then it's just paying for an amount of boat, which seems reasonable. But most budget cruisers (which I think covers the OP) don't spend enough time in marinas to worry about it. We carry our "marina" on our bow.

I must also agree with Tropic Cat. "No one considers buying a catamaran as a cost saving measure." You buy a boat (any type) because you want its unique features.

[DJBrookster]

Originally Posted by Tropic Cat

What point are you proving? Justify themselves how? And as opposed to whom? People who hang out on a cruising forum and feel free to comment when they don't even own a boat?

For the record .. 90% of Catamaran owners are former monohull owners, who upgraded to two hulls for a reason, and had enough money in their cruising kitty to do so.

Lastly, here's a startling fact. If you reread the posts, no one here is trying to sell anyone a catamaran.

Yet... Look who's decided to be so touchy!

I've tried it both ways and will disagree. two engines not only make maneuverability simple, the redundancy is comforting.

All Charter boats.

There you go again. It must be a disease or a condition at the very least.

Everybody pays their money and makes their choice. There is no right or wrong.

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by DJBrookster

There you go again. It must be a disease or a condition at the very least.

There I go again? I asked you three questions. Count them.

I asked because I have no idea of what you're talking about.

While I'm taking the time to respond, do us a favor. Please let us know your boat owner's experience with monos and catamarans. Then maybe you can explain why you own the boat you do and why you didn't buy a catamaran.

If you insist on taking shots at us...this is only fair.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Lt.

What costs more to own? Maintain? Outfit with gear, essential or not so essential? Run? And BUY! someday when I plan to buy, I plan to have, roughly, $75,000-125,000$?

Someone seroiusly needs to show you the search function. Half the questions you poast are borderline trolling.

If you've been on cf a week you should know the cat mono debate is a hot spot. If you've been here 3 days you should be able to find at least 50 threads on cat v mono.

Then if you have a question not covered before ask it in context.

I sense you really are trying to learn some stuff. I also sense you are many years away from actually buying a boat.

And guys - do you really want to slug it out on another my cat vs. your mono train wreck?

Cats and monos are different - Gee, whoda thought...

[Tropic Cat]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

.....

And guys - do you really want to slug it out on another my cat vs. your mono train wreck?

Cats and monos are different - Gee, whoda thought...

Hell no

[maxingout]

I love sailboats. The number of hulls is irrelevant.

[Strygaldwir]

Actually, I love boats. Pretty much most of the people are outstanding to be about.

Yes, Cats are more expensive. Think about carrying all the spares you have in a catamaran. Two, engines, starters, generators, pumps, impellers... You get the idea. Now think of the cost. Engine related systems can get VERY expensive. I abandoned notions of high output alternators when I multiplied every thing by about two. But, it is a spare and I use only one engine 95% of the time.

I have never noticed a difference in dockage fees. I have a 22 foot beam so hauling is another issue. I have to find a yard with a lift that is wide enough to haul me. In MOST locations this results in 1.5 or more over the cost of mono. It also means less places to select from. If you stay with a beam under 20 feet, this may not be as big an issue.

Hull maintenance requires more time. Sanding the bottom of two hulls gets... tedious or more expensive.

Having said all that. I can live aboard my cat without too many sacrifices. It makes it far in away worth the cost.

Sailing. If you like the exhiliration of sailing, don't get a cruising catamaran. It is just a boring get you there with no excitement experience. Just cruising at 8 knots, hour after hour, no rail in the water, no leaning, no stuff sliding around... definately not as exciting. I love to cruise in my cat, definately not high on my list just to go out go in circles for an hour and come back. (I do enjoy this however in a monohull).

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by Strygaldwir

snip
I have never noticed a difference in dockage fees. I have a 22 foot beam so hauling is another issue. I have to find a yard with a lift that is wide enough to haul me. In MOST locations this results in 1.5 or more over the cost of mono. It also means less places to select from. If you stay with a beam under 20 feet, this may not be as big an issue.

Hull maintenance requires more time. Sanding the bottom of two hulls gets... tedious or more expensive.

Having said all that. I can live aboard my cat without too many sacrifices. It makes it far in away worth the cost.

Sailing. If you like the exhiliration of sailing, don't get a cruising catamaran. It is just a boring get you there with no excitement experience. Just cruising at 8 knots, hour after hour, no rail in the water, no leaning, no stuff sliding around... definitely not as exciting. I love to cruise in my cat, definitely not high on my list just to go out go in circles for an hour and come back. (I do enjoy this however in a monohull).

1) Have you considered carrying a lifting bridle? I carry them aboard. You can buy load-rated polyester lifting straps or make your own out of Dyneema (lighter). Then you could also be hauled by any crane with adequate capacity.

2) Sanding: I think cats and tris have about the same TOTAL underwater surface area as monos of equal displacement (less compared to monos with full keels). OTOH the topsides is where you have twice (or three times) the surface area as monos. On my ~40 foot tri, I have to use about 240 feet of masking tape on the waterline (40x2)x3. If I compound/wax and paint the bottom it has to be taped twice! 3M loves me The compound/wax job is like doing 3 boats.

3) Sailing? NOTHING sails better than a tri. It heels a little, giving you a good sense for how hard you're being pressed, but hardens up to translate more wind into speed. Pure joy to sail. The biggest trade-off of a tri is less main cabin space for a given hull length.

[downunder]

Originally Posted by DJBrookster

This all just proves my point. Cat owners are touchy. They feel the need to justify themselves.

Excellent contributions to the OP's questions. Great justification with your contributions.