Any issues with mid 90's French made Cats?

[Southern Star]

Sorry for the double post, but when I initially submitted it I received an error message and a box asking if I wanted to resubmit and.....

[smj]

Originally Posted by Reginald Bknham

If I was and elitist I surely would not be on this forum asking how-to questions on a 20 year old boat would I.
Well you must have not been a financial victim like I have been then and many a time.
I'm not sure if your in or from the US the the work force today is not stamped from the same mould as my generation. And yes I have swung a hammer before and ran a spray gun.
I won't bring up nepotism just right now either.
Also those outside of this forum would probably call us all elitists seeing the luxury items we are discussing.

In your generation the work force was paid a decent wage for their labor, heck they may have even made enough to be considered middle class. Nowadays all the work force sees is dropping wages and benefits, ask me how I know.

[Southern Star]

Reginald, I was not suggesting that you had never swung a hammer or used a spray gun. I used 'elitist' because you chose to distinguish 'blue collar workers', who make up the vast majority of the population of any country, from yourself. Yes, I have suffered financial setbacks in the recent past. Indeed, the dramatic devaluation of the
Canadian dollar in relation to the USD over the last couple of years alone (I am a Canadian national) has added 1/3rd to my costs for cruising (where on this side of the Atlantic, the USD is king). That, of course, had very little if anything to do with blue-collar workers, or obesity, or drinking beer.

I have no idea what your generation is, but I strongly suspect it is not the generation that built aircraft in WW2. Simply put, I believe that I responded fairly to your legitimate question concerning refit costs, but felt it appropriate to criticize your unnecessary, inflammatory and insulting description of the majority of your own country and likely this site - blue collar workers. As a retired professional, even if I shared your views (and I decidedly do not), I would have kept in mind one of the findamental rules of this site: play nice!

From a practical perspective, you may wish to keep in mind that whether or not you respect blue-collar workers, you are apt over time to get some of your best advice when issues arise on your own boat from marine contractors, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, riggers, fiberglass and metal workers etc. who are members of this site.

Cheers!

Brad

[caradow]

I have read some of your previous posts and would be interested to hear about your sailing background/experience.
You have asked many questions and this is a great place to have them answered however reading the type of questions you ask then stating you are looking to buy a 65 foot cat makes me want to say step back a bit and speak with people who own big boats.
A 65 foot catamaran is a very large boat and I would hope you have considerable experience prior to purchase.
Not only the upkeep measured financially and man hours needed, but sailing a boat that size will be a tremendous undertaking for the uninitiated.
Some may be able to actually do it where others would inevitably fall into a very deep abyss that would be comparable to the depths of hell.
I do wish you good luck in your search and hope you find what you are looking for.

[Southern Star]

Sound advice Caradow - I am no neophyte, but would be intimidated by the thought of my wife and I owning, maintaining and saiing a 65 foot cat! Especially if he is planning on spending only relatively short periods aboard at a time (I beleive he said four days), I can't imagine needing that much interior or deck space!

[StuM]

There's a Lagoon 620 in our marina. Everytime I go past it I look at it and think - no way would we take a boat like that out without at least a couple of additional experienced crew .

[rabbi]

an older 65ft cat is no poblem to fix, refit and maintain it yourself without outside help.
In that case you don't need to worry about your boat handling qualities: You will never finish it and will never find the time to sail it.

It will simply be a dock queen or -even worse- a yard queen.



So what was the biggest boat you have owned so far?

[ma bete]

Originally Posted by Reginald Bknham

We have expanded our searches to 65 footers is why I'm asking.
This will be a 3-4 day live aboard.

In response to your question...there is no problem, in general, with French built catamarans built in the 1990's (Non French built cats as well). You will, with research, find specific models within a brand that have issues, vessels that have not been maintained, vessels that have been damaged and not repaired properly. You should be able to find a cat in the size range built in the 90's. If you plan to purchase I would caution you in choice of surveyor regardless of your financial ability to fix problems not found during survey. Personally I prefer bigger boats if you can afford the maintenance, even for single handing.
Best of luck!
Stuart, Ma Bete Outremer 55L

[Andrew Grace]

Originally Posted by StuM

There's a Lagoon 620 in our marina. Everytime I go past it I look at it and think - no way would we take a boat like that out without at least a couple of additional experienced crew .

I have been on and sailed the boat you are referring too in POM and the vessel was easily sailed and docked by the 2 of us, not too sure why you feel the 620 is so hard to sail?
Andrew

[caradow]

Hi Andrew, guess the difficulty in sailing a 62 foot cat that StuM is referring to is relative to all sailing conditions and not just a daysail in light air. As for myself I have always been happy to have a few extra hands coming into a busy marina when the wind is blowing 30. Have 5 years in my current cat and 15 in my old 50 foot monohul plus a slew of other boats so have experienced not so perfect conditions.
I think it is a mistake to downplay the dangers of lightly crewed large boats especially as I suspect some potential owners may not have the experience to otherwise guide them.
Anyway thats just my opinion and people will do what they want.

[rabbi]

Whatever.
The threadstarter joined a few days ago, quickly wrote 70 posts and then stopped posting.

Either he found some other playing field or he is busy testsailing all the 65ft cats out there.

[caradow]

[rabbi]

Or maybe he is testsailing those nice 100ft gulets in Turkey that he talks about here...

[puffcard]

I'm I missing something? Why would you buy a boat for 4 days, the annual maintenance would be more than a two week charter. Charter a newer boat with a captain, and have a great time.