Sanya 57: Sanya 57: First-time cat purchasers need experienced cat owners advice and knowledge.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by kymfrey

And yes, @Aussiesuede, you are not the first person to point out the sharp edges in the interior. Our hired captain that toured the Sanya with us was the first to point it out as a concern.

It was just a few years ago before FP updated all their interiors that they had very nice soft edges on everything. Actually this is one of the things I fell in Love with when I had viewed the interiors.

I am not big fan of the new modern look.

[Amara]

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Originally Posted by Cotemar

It was just a few years ago before FP updated all their interiors that they had very nice soft edges on everything. Actually this is one of the things I fell in Love with when I had viewed the interiors.

I am not big fan of the new modern look.

@Cotemar Wow. That IS a pretty interior. Are these various FP models or just one in general? Thank you for sharing your photos.

We wonder if/when we visit FP in France if they could do a few custom tweaks if we were to purchase? One being some rounded corners. Again, it's all about compromise. This I have come to learn in the boat world. Maybe wishful thinking.

The point that @ALLEZ CAT makes about having to tackle his Genoa... and "into the water" is NOT something we would want to have happen out in blue water. @SMJ really threw us a curve when he mentioned anchoring it and what if we did have to manually pull up the anchor if our power winches were to go out? Or raise the main without an electric winch? Yes, these are worst case scenarios, and again we would have crew aboard our first year and during long passages, but these are very valid points.

The Sanya is a beaut and I really loved her interior and the deck/cockpit area. She is still in the running for first place but we have not ruled out a smaller cat based on feedback. We still really like the Lagoon 50, Leopard new 48 (based on specs), Outremer 49, Privilige 49 & 51 and even the Orana (can't wait to see the new version!). One caveat is that my husband is 6' 3" and we are finding that with some cats, head clearance is a problem for him.

Heck, we are entertaining any cat if it fits our criteria. Our criteria being comfort first, then performance (My husband would prefer it to be the other way around). I realize that we are giving up speed with some boats on our short list, but again, with the situation with our daughter—comfort is a priority if we are to sail for long periods abroad.

We would actually prefer a used boat in great condition because it would be further along in becoming blue water ready... or just ready. We check yachtworld daily but keep going back to the Sanya.

I just reviewed all the photos that I took of the Sanya (It was a TradeWinds charter based in Nanny Cay, Tortola) and the upstairs does have lots of corners but the downstairs seemed fine.

[downunder]

Originally Posted by smj

What about a Schionning 49?

No, from the OP, wants. More sport than comfort.

[snort]

The sharp corners problem could be at least mitigated by something like these: KidKusion® Black Soft Corner Cushions (Package of 4) - Bed Bath & Beyond

It's when you have to jump to a dock from forward on the boat that you risk breaking a leg. That said, with a catamaran that large, I'd guess you might not be getting close to too many docks.

At any rate, look at as many cats as you can, take notes about what you like, and you'll still know right away you've found the right boat when you step aboard.

[AllezCat]

Originally Posted by kymfrey

...my husband is 6' 3" ...

no need for electric winches...have him start doing push ups

[JJ77]

Catana will be putting their new 59 in the water later this month according to their site(click on newsletters),may be worthwhile to have a look.It is a bit lighter
than the old 52 yet offers more space
http://www.catana.com/images/files/d...-A-2012-EN.pdf

Galerie photos du Catana 59

Cheers,
JJ

[Factor]

Originally Posted by smj

What about a Schionning 49?

Which one - wilderness, cosmos, waterline, gforce?

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by kymfrey

Cotemar Wow. That IS a pretty interior. Are these various FP models or just one in general? Thank you for sharing your photos.

Kymfrey,

The pictures I posted where from a 2009 FP Mahe 36, but all the FP models went through an interior design change from rounded corners to this new modern look square corners with dark color highlights in the 2010 to 2011 model year.
Here are four pictures to help illustrate the interior design change.
They are from the same camera angles of the saloon and galley.

The first two are a 2009 FP Mahe 36 rounded corners and light colors

The last two are a 2011 FP Mahe 36 square corners with dark colors

As you can see it was pretty dramatic

[Gordon]

Wait until Monday the 18th and you will see the 'new boat' on the FP website, you will like what you see I am sure!
Gordon.

[Cotemar]

Here is the announcement from Jean Fountaine

[dirkdig]

Thats very cool to get a notice, only if other cat makers actually liked their owners!

[ArtM]

I would only add that you consider the disadvantages of a larger-than-needed boat. Of course, nobody wants to get into a boat the "might" be too small for them later - buyer's remorse is no fun - but also consider the implications of a larger boat.

I looked at some Lagoons, and here's what I found - the 44 was instantly too large. I didn't think that would be possible, but the moment I saw it I said "No, it's too big".

Here are the benefits I see in a smaller boat:
1) Access. I want to be able to access relatively remote locations, beachfronts, maybe even some riverheads or backwater.
On a 40 or 41, the draft is about 4 feet. While I would love a 2ft draft, I realize that would make the boat essentially unsailable. This is a boat which, if beached intentionally or unintentionally, can be (maybe) manhandled by myself, or perhaps with the help of a few friendly natives. 4ft means I will be in water to my midsection - that's deep, maybe too deep even for leverage, but at least it is not over my head. This is something I still need to verify. I don't think I could manhandle a 44, and certain not a 57.
Mast height may also be a factor, though I'm not sure how much. Bridges are usually drawbridges, or designed to handle tall boats. I'm not sure, realistically, how often mast height would be a limiting factor compared to a smaller vessel.

2) Operation. Unless you plan to have a full time crew, consider the difficulties of operating a vessel that size.
The sails are heavier. All the components on the boat, in fact, are heavier. What if a winch or windlass fails. Will you and your husband be able to handle the lines and chains?

Full-time cruising is not a week-long charter or a luxury cruise. There are real world risks that you will have to handle on your own. What if your husband becomes sick or injured? Will you be able to handle that boat on your own? Or even if someday you want to make a crossing, and you will need to take a night watch. Will you feel secure operating a vessel that size? At night? Possibly on a pitching sea? Will you have sufficient visibility from some comfortable position on the boat to be able to keep watch?

I don't know this vessel, but I have seen vessels which were too large to be operated by a woman under 5'5". The 420 for example. I don't think my wife, at 5'2" could operate the helm on that boat. Are there any similar considerations for you on the boat your considering?

3) Daily maintenance
Maybe this is no big deal, but a bigger boat means more maintenance. More deck area to be washed. More cushions to be picked up, put out, and rearranged. It means deeper rises and descents between different deck levels - perhaps 4 steps into the hulls, rather than 3. Maybe a very tall step from the cockpit. This is probably a minor concern, offset by the additional comfort, and probably more meaningful to an older couple.

Ha ha! Well, this turned out to be more negative than I intended. I meant it to be a short essay on the virtues of a smaller vessel. I certainly don't want to sour your experience, I just wanted to illustrate some examples of where, sometimes, smaller CAN be better. And of course, there is the old maxim that just because you CAN do something doesn't mean that you SHOULD do something.

I'll join the others in congratulating you on your successes and hope you have the greatest adventures and pleasures in this, or any other boat you finally choose!

[yeloya]

Dear kymfrey,

Forget about all what was said. If you can afford Sanya go for it. I have sailed 20.000 nm mostly on Orana but also on almost every FP from Fidji to Athena, Belize, Bahia, etc..
Most of the points are totally irrelevant. To name a few;
-what if the electrical winches break ? We are running 13 cats in our fleet for 20 years and have had all kind of troubles. Over the last 10 years never heard anyone that broke the electrical winch. If you force too much fuse can go and you reset it, that's it.
-in case of emergency, taking down the main of Sanya could only take a fraction of second more than for 35-40 ft catamaran, if you know how to do it.
-I don't think the sharp edges whatsover will create an issue. If it does, rounding them is not a big deal.
-Sindlehandling will not be an issue if all the lines are to the helm station like in Orana and Salina. The size of the boat doesn't matter, it would be much easier than tackling in a 39 ft catamaran where the genoa winches are 5 meters apart from the other one.
-Again, if you know how to reef in a 40 ft catamaran, you will reef Sanya the same way. Reefing Lagoon 450 (the boom 3 meter above the deck..) is way more difficult than it is for Sanya. I didn't see the sail plan of Sanya. In Salina, Orana the reef lines is under the mast. If so, find a way to bring them to the helm station. Until you feel yrself 100% confident, hoist the main with the first reef on IN THE HARBOUR..
You will be safe with the first reef up to 25 kts true.
-Docking undocking is not big deal, provided that you learn how to do it with smaller cat. It won't be much tougher. Make sure that you get the most powerful engine you can have. If you don't have enough power, even the most experienced captain will have trouble with this big and relatively high boat.

I would have only one concern;housekeeping. You may learn how to sail it with yr husband if you hire a captain for some time. But, looking after children, helping yr husband, cooking, cleaning , taking care of visitors (I am sure you will have some..) and keeping such a large boat in order will be veeeeeerrry challenging. Even if you can do for a while, after some time yr joy of sailing could fade. Consider having someone for this kind of jobs and enjoy it..
Cheers
Yeloya

[DotDun]

I agree with Yeloya, the bigger boat doesn't necessarily mean it can't be handled by a crew of two. After you get a mile or two off-shore, all boats get small!

A Sanya 57 is going to have the same number of systems as my 43', with the exception of possibly an additional head & air conditioner. Two engines, one generator, the same electronics package, etc. Bigger engines and generators don't fail more just because they are bigger.

Sure, the sails are big, but so are the winches! Prudent sailors always put in one more reef than required with a single helmsman during the night. And guess what, a call for 'all hands on deck' for a sail change in the middle of the night still works on big boats.

Yep, it's bigger in a marina, yep, there will be ICW bridges that are too low. The 3 additional inches of draft won't be noticed. Yep, the bigger the boat the more they cost.

I would be willing to bet if the truth is told, 90+% of the reason some are against a bigger boat is due to $$. All the rest of the excuses is just blather.

If you can afford it, go for it!

[smj]

Since they are available for charter why don't you,your husband and daughter take a few weeks and charter her. That should give you the best idea if she is for you or not.