 |
|
21-02-2024, 17:37
|
#16
|
always in motion is the future

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: in paradise
Boat: Sundeer 64
Posts: 20,114
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
The YoungBarnacles YouTube channel… that’s a Catana, isn’t it?
__________________
“It’s a trap!” - Admiral Ackbar.
|
|
|
21-02-2024, 18:39
|
#17
|
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2015
Boat: R&C Leopard 40
Posts: 1,032
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by Networker
|
Don't quote me but I seem to remember owners having trouble keeping the rudders in line. One would drift compared to the other which would make the owners near mad attempting to fix.
__________________
-Chris
|
|
|
22-02-2024, 02:59
|
#18
|
Moderator
Join Date: May 2014
Boat: Shuttleworth Advantage
Posts: 2,806
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyingScot
Don't quote me but I seem to remember owners having trouble keeping the rudders in line. One would drift compared to the other which would make the owners near mad attempting to fix.
|
This is a common problem related to any steering system with a hydraulic tie bar rather than a fixed tie rod between twin rudders. It is easily fixed by installing a remotely operated bypass valve or Le Combie and Schmitt alignment valves.
|
|
|
22-02-2024, 05:06
|
#19
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 292
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
Catana 40S and I think all the 1/2d gens (prior to 1992/XX1 have a Whitlock rack and pinion with tiller crossbeam
|
|
|
22-02-2024, 07:04
|
#20
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Massachusetts
Boat: Finnsailer 38
Posts: 5,823
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
Quote:
Honestly I can’t see any drawbacks with out board helms. And do sail 100% in the tropics.
The subject has been discussed many times and opinions vary widely.
|
I've only day sailed a Catana, but I found the outboard helm positions uncomfortable in boisterous winds and seas in the Caribbean. I think they would be very tiring, but I suppose most people seem to proceed under autopilot most of the time. Now that I have a protected steering station on my pilothouse boat I would have a tough time ever going back. Just keeping the wind out of your face reduces fatigue by 100%.
__________________
JJKettlewell
"Go small, Go simple, Go now"
|
|
|
22-02-2024, 07:11
|
#21
|
Moderator
Join Date: May 2014
Boat: Shuttleworth Advantage
Posts: 2,806
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kettlewell
I've only day sailed a Catana, but I found the outboard helm positions uncomfortable in boisterous winds and seas in the Caribbean. I think they would be very tiring, but I suppose most people seem to proceed under autopilot most of the time. Now that I have a protected steering station on my pilothouse boat I would have a tough time ever going back. Just keeping the wind out of your face reduces fatigue by 100%.
|
It's personal choice, they are great for racing, or round the buoys with a crew, but the only time cruisers really steer is when coming into port, pilotage, or when the weather is really bad both times being in a sheltered environment is way better than being exposed.
|
|
|
24-02-2024, 05:08
|
#22
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 292
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
For 10 years and thousands of miles, and have never felt like I didn’t want my outboard helms. Switching to high/low side, appropriate clothing solves most issues. In crap wx I want to make sure I can see, so getting rained on is just part of that and had I an enclosure, I would doubtless drop it for safety
|
|
|
29-02-2024, 22:09
|
#23
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane after cruising (Atlantic -> Med -> Carib -> Pacific)
Boat: Vancouver 36, Hobie 33, Catana 48, now all with new owners
Posts: 368
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
We put 10's of thousands of cruising miles on our Catana 48, and the outboard helms on it were great. The leeward helm was much better protected than the helm on most mono-hulls, and you can still see what is happening with the sails.
|
|
|
01-03-2024, 07:10
|
#24
|
always in motion is the future

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: in paradise
Boat: Sundeer 64
Posts: 20,114
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark_morwood
We put 10's of thousands of cruising miles on our Catana 48, and the outboard helms on it were great. The leeward helm was much better protected than the helm on most mono-hulls, and you can still see what is happening with the sails.
|
That is a dubious statement and of course incorrect. The leeward helm position on a monohull is protected by heel and for lack of heel with catamarans, they need the helm position forward to find protection by the house.
That said, I like the Catanas and their helm positions. There’s no need for protection because in my world you only touch the helm while anchoring, docking etc.
__________________
“It’s a trap!” - Admiral Ackbar.
|
|
|
02-03-2024, 05:56
|
#25
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 292
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
Jedi is the one who is incorrect.
I can attest to Morwood’s statement from personal experience. IIRC both Morwood and I have 2d gen Catanas so perhaps they are different from the Barreau designs.
|
|
|
03-03-2024, 04:14
|
#26
|
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 19
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
Agreed; the leeward helm on a Catana is quite well protected by the salon. Relying on heel with a monhull for protection from the elements is silly. The biggest point is however; do you really need to be at a helm for long passages. With a good forward facing nav, watch is it easily managed from the comforts of the salon. The only time you really need to be at a helm in inclement weather is when mooring/tight maneuvering, autopilot failure, or if you just want to be.
|
|
|
03-03-2024, 05:02
|
#27
|
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Punta Gorda, Fl
Boat: Endeavourcat Sailcat 44
Posts: 3,246
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
this is from someone that has never sailed a Catana so it might not be worth much. It really depends on how you plan to use the boat. If you are cruising long term and expect to be heavily loaded you are no longer going to have a high performance boat. On the other hand if you plan only short cruises and keep it light it is a very nice boat. I once was sailing from Morgan's Bluff in the Bahamas to Highborne Cay when a 43 ft Catana came out of one of the Marinas on the south side and turned about a half mile or so behind us. I remarked to my wife that we would soon be seeing his stern. Wind was about 60 degrees off the port bow at about 12 knots. Surprisingly to me we got to Highborne almost an hour ahead of them. I talked to the owner a couple of days later and he told me that when it was loaded up for cruising it really slowed down. My boat is a fixed stub keel condomaran and no one would ever call it a high performance boat, especially going to windward. Such boats seem to handle a load better without as much of a performance hit. Catanas seem to be great high performing boats if you keep them light. So what it comes down to is it the right boat for how you are planning to use it?
|
|
|
03-03-2024, 05:37
|
#28
|
Moderator
Join Date: May 2014
Boat: Shuttleworth Advantage
Posts: 2,806
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Bill
this is from someone that has never sailed a Catana so it might not be worth much. It really depends on how you plan to use the boat. If you are cruising long term and expect to be heavily loaded you are no longer going to have a high performance boat. On the other hand if you plan only short cruises and keep it light it is a very nice boat. I once was sailing from Morgan's Bluff in the Bahamas to Highborne Cay when a 43 ft Catana came out of one of the Marinas on the south side and turned about a half mile or so behind us. I remarked to my wife that we would soon be seeing his stern. Wind was about 60 degrees off the port bow at about 12 knots. Surprisingly to me we got to Highborne almost an hour ahead of them. I talked to the owner a couple of days later and he told me that when it was loaded up for cruising it really slowed down. My boat is a fixed stub keel condomaran and no one would ever call it a high performance boat, especially going to windward. Such boats seem to handle a load better without as much of a performance hit. Catanas seem to be great high performing boats if you keep them light. So what it comes down to is it the right boat for how you are planning to use it?
|
Catanas are not light boats to begin with a 43 loaded is about twice the weight of my boat (loaded). Because of the weight they are not good in light winds. A lot of people pay over the odds for performance boats and then load them up like condormarans. If you own a performance boat and want to achieve any real performance from it you need to be ruthless about the weight of everything that is put on board.
|
|
|
06-03-2024, 06:02
|
#29
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 292
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
The earlier (1980s-1992) Catanas were not as heavy as the later Barreau designs.
That said, it is well worth repeating the importance of keeping weight out of your multihull, no matter the make, really
|
|
|
06-03-2024, 14:59
|
#30
|
Marine Service Provider

Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Marmaris
Boat: FP Orana 2010, Hélia 2013, Catana C 47 2013, Nautitech 46 Fly 2018
Posts: 1,364
|
Re: Are Catanas good??
Quote:
Originally Posted by geoleo
I am considering buying a early 2000 s Catana. Are they easy to maintain ,durable, ad handle nice??
|
Generally speaking old Catamas are a bit heavier. Many people are arguing on the helm position, I just love it. The biggest problem is the scarce view of the opposite bow when you manoeuvring or sailing in crowded waters.
They are well made and robust boats.
Cheers
Yeloya
|
|
|
 |
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Rate This Thread |
Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Advertise Here
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vendor Spotlight |
|
|