A Catamaran Question

[minaret]

Originally Posted by weavis

Ok I got it.

Much as I love catamarans, I will not be able to do a 40 or sub 40 footer cruiser capable of really high speed averages in GRP or any material that will sail comfortably for the crew.

"I had a dream".........

I believe you have learned much from this thread. There is a great deal of truth here.

[mikereed100]

Originally Posted by weavis

Ok I got it.

Much as I love catamarans, I will not be able to do a 40 or sub 40 footer cruiser capable of really high speed averages in GRP or any material that will sail comfortably for the crew.

"I had a dream".........

On the other hand, it would not be unrealistic to expect a 6-7 knot average from a 40' cat, and you can do it without spilling your drink. We have found that, when cruising, we spend more time trying to slow our boat down than trying to make it go faster.

[D&D]

We give up...NIL 300nm days here......but >200nm (albeit NOT "regularly"!) isn't so bad and with lotsa great, comfortable and safe cruising!

[weavis]

Originally Posted by D&D

We give up...NIL 300nm days here......but >200nm (albeit NOT "regularly"!) isn't so bad and with lotsa great, comfortable and safe cruising!

ah yes... but its only a Lagoon 440

[Jeannius]

When did your obsession with speed start? Presumably sometime after you bought probably the slowest sailing monohull ever made

I'm with mikereed100 on this. On a circumnavigation, I spent more time trying to slow down than speed up. 6-7 knots average is just fine and it keeps nervous/reluctant crew far happier than does high speed.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by Jeannius

When did your obsession with speed start? Presumably sometime after you bought probably the slowest sailing monohull ever made

I'm with mikereed100 on this. On a circumnavigation, I spent more time trying to slow down than speed up. 6-7 knots average is just fine and it keeps nervous/reluctant crew far happier than does high speed.

There are slower

My question for "speed" was related to a my Gunboat experience, and whether or not it was possible to have a sub 40 footer that was a fast (15 knots) passage maker over a regularly traveled distance, for a reasonable purchase cost. (Used).

Physics and related costs for exotic materials, along with lack of comfort in a cruising vessel would appear to prohibit the higher speeds in a smaller Hull.

I considered buying a motor cruiser for the trips, but the cost of fuel made my knees shake and head spin. 130 miles at 30+ gallons an hour is the best part of $1500 each way. (European prices)

I just will set off a day earlier and enjoy the sail

P.S..... Sailing the Centaur around Southern Britain is so relaxing. It forces a person to enjoy the scenery... its going to be in view for a while.

[Jeannius]

I learnt back in the 80's sailing a Westerly Fulmar at the long defunct Westerly Sea School and it was a lovely boat (for a monohull). The very boat that gave me my first experience as skipper is still doing service at another Solent based sailing school which is testament to their quality. The south coast of the UK can be wonderful on the right day but they were few and far between as far as my wife was concerned!

[44'cruisingcat]

I guess the real question about the 15 knot average is over how long? Over the life of the boat, even a GB is unlikely to manage that.


Our chartplotter has now done >22,000 miles on this boat, and is showing an average speed of 6.7 knots. That includes all the time spend mucking around at very low speeds in anchorages etc. That's pretty good IMO, but a LONG way away from 15 knots.


But could you build a reasonably priced boat around 40 feet using "normal" materials, like glass/balsa or foam that could manage 15 knots from Brisbane to Gladstone fully crewed and in the right conditions? Yes.


And you could even cruise on such a boat. (People cruise on just about anything.) But it wouldn't be roomy or carry much. And it's not going to average 15 knots long term.

[boneboy]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v...type=2&theater


it says they are doing 20. Doesnt look teeth jarring to me?

[2Hulls]

That's because it's not a small boat and they're in protected, flat water. I'll bet they won't be going that fast for long as they'll run out of water. Teeth jarring comes at sea, in real water.

2 Hulls Dave

[weavis]

Originally Posted by 2Hulls

That's because it's not a small boat and they're in protected, flat water. I'll bet they won't be going that fast for long as they'll run out of water. Teeth jarring comes at sea, in real water.

2 Hulls Dave

Yup.......

[boneboy]

Agreed. Reply was tongue in cheek. Thought it was a cool video though

[s/v Beth]

Weavis- you want to sail a fast multi cruiser? Cheaper? Look where this company is going...Were I think all Multihulls will be in 20 years. (on hydrofoils)
Catri Trimarans

[weavis]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

Weavis- you want to sail a fast multi cruiser? Cheaper? Look where this company is going...Were I think all Multihulls will be in 20 years. (on hydrofoils)
Catri Trimarans

HI newt. Long time no hear. Guess the coal face is keeping you busy. Ive been busy on disease control methods and conducting seminars for a while but am nearly done.

Just expanding on the concept that I was enquiring about, firstly, Im not in the income bracket to drop $1million on a boat unless I sell something, or two somethings. and Im not ready to do that.

But I am a mix of sail and motor boat background, and love multis... To that end, I asked the question regarding sub 40 Cats and speed utilising no carbon materials to save cost. The answers are all above.

Hydrofoils would seem to be another way to ramp the speed and eventually drop the cost.

Thanks for this info. Much appreciated.

[colemj]

Originally Posted by weavis

Hydrofoils would seem to be another way to ramp the speed and eventually drop the cost.

Doesn't have to ride on foils. Even moderate lift from foils - say 35% - will help tremendously. I think the very near future of multis are to incorporate foiling surfaces toward a modicum of lift, rather than outright foiling. The boat will still be in the water, but "lighter".

Might make those new Lagoons finally reach 50% of wind speed…

Mark