Mono to Cat

[Time2Go]

Hi Friends,
Over the past few years I have been crewing on all sorts of mono hulls
from 27'IP to Tanayana 56'. Across Biscay twice, 6 channel crossings,
Down to Gibralter from the UK
Up and down Long Island Sound many times, DelmarVa rally.
I have earned RYA Coastal Skipper/Tidal and ICC
But all of this has been on Monohulls
I don't have a minute of time on Cats.
So my question is this,
How much is this experience transferable to Cat Sailing?
From reading a ton of posts I gather they are different animals.
I plan on responding to crew needed situations on cats
Seeking suggestions both to help me get onboard while
not overselling my experience.
Are they really that different and how?
Don't want to get into a situation where people are counting on me
and I don't have a clue what's going on.
Cheers
Neil

[Dulcesuenos]

Not everyone new can handle the transition. Its very hard to get used to spending days on end NOT heeled over 10-20 degrees. Some break down and cry when they realize their Drink isn't spilling and they can cook a meal at sea without being strapped in and getting burned. Not needing a spinnaker pole is also tough to get used to.
Reef for the gusts, Cats do bleed excess wind energy via quick acceleration, etc vs just laying over in the water which makes them more forgiving to sail. I'm sure the experts will chime in.
I can sum it up best by saying On a recent crossing I found it wild when a skipper of a large 49' heavy cruising mono told me he had just spent the last 30 hours rolling from 20 degrees to 20 degrees side to side. I'll take a bit of bridge deck noise on occasion thank you.

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[boatman61]

Head for a beach and hire a Hobie or a Prindle for a few mornings.. you'll learn a lot more than on here..

[meatservo]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Head for a beach and hire a Hobie or a Prindle for a few mornings.. you'll learn a lot more than on here..

Priceless Boatman!

[Time2Go]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Head for a beach and hire a Hobie or a Prindle for a few mornings.. you'll learn a lot more than on here..

Thanx Boaty
Always good advice
There are still some at my lake so maybe I'll get
A chance to hitch a ride.
My friends I PM you about just bought a place outside Porto.
So when I visit how's about we knock down a few brews, my treat
Cheers
Neil

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Time2Go

Thanx Boaty
Always good advice
There are still some at my lake so maybe I'll get
A chance to hitch a ride.
My friends I PM you about just bought a place outside Porto.
So when I visit how's about we knock down a few brews, my treat
Cheers
Neil

Sounds like a plan..
N or S of Porto..??

[LagunaRed]

Probably the biggest thing you need to get used to is the beam and freeboard. Our beam is nearly 29' which means when going through an entrance (like a small drawbridge) you have to pay attention. You do have much better maneuverability though so with a little practice you should be fine. Our freeboard is over 6 feet so we have a lot of wind age. With a light bow, we blow around a little bit so you need to think about it as well. We bought our cat this year and we chose it because we have young kids and we believe it's safer. At the end of the day, it's not about the type of boat but the sailor and the thirst for getting out there and experiencing the adventure. Good luck.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by LagunaRed

Probably the biggest thing you need to get used to is the beam and freeboard. Our beam is nearly 29' which means when going through an entrance (like a small drawbridge) you have to pay attention.

Combine this with the fact that the "beam" at the bow and stern are almost the same as at the centre. That means you have to be very aware of where your boat pivots when manouvering and allow swing room for the extremities.