Characteristics of the Perfect Cat

[Lt.]

Just that, the perfect cat and what it is like. No off topic jokes(yea, wasting my breath, I know), just boat design. For off shore extended cruising and/or living aboard.

[impi]

Lt. ... you do realise you are going to start a war with this one ... dont ya?

[Lagoon4us]

Hasn't been designed nor built yet, choices are limited because market is relatively small. There are some fantastic lightweight low power motor cats designed, they are very effective.

The large commanding market lies within the 'Charter Market' for both power and sail.

In Australia the Schionning Waterlines are nice and are mainly very low volume builds Kit and amateur builds, but then it comes to a question of taste and there lies the arguments.. let it begin!

[fastcat435]

I does not exist or will ever exist, A cat or a car or any other product is always a compromise , the only way to go about is to design and built or have built the cat you have in mind to come as close as possible to your target. This what i have done but by no means did i built the perfect cat, in my eyes i am close but that is only according to my wishes and standards.

Good luck in finding the best possible compromise.

[Lagoon4us]

Well said, but i do like your boat!!!!!!

[Oliver L.]

Obviously mine - but it's not for sale! Get your own...

Oliver

[Lagoon4us]

Love 470's.....lmao.

[rocma]

I have searched in depth for OUR perfect world cruising cat. For us, there are some features that are important to us:

- speed
- wave motion and movement (therefore heavy weights distribution)
- windage
- simple to maintain and get at things.
- open and light interior

These five features ment that 90% of all production cats like Lagoon, FP, Voyage and such like came off the list ( due to my work, I have sailed all sorts).

In the end (for us) it boiled down to two cats:

My number one choice by far would have to be the Dazcat 1395 .
To ME the perfect sailing cat, but I can imagine a lot of people would think differently.
They are fast, well balanced, well built, ideal weight distribution, perfect skeg keel like setup, with for up wind performance a "canard board".
Also, I do not want sail drives. Again, through my work I have seen enough not to want them.
I actually visited Dazcat (Multimarine) near Plymouth in Cornwall where a 1395 was under construction. I sailed on a 1195, the smaller version, which sailed like a dream. Also, the people at Dazcat really do know what they are doing and talking about.

A second favourite, would be the Format 1350. Basically a Format 1200, but with longer hulls. But, not as well balanced (weight wise) as the Dazcat and it has sail drives all the way in the back. Not as good for weight distribution as the Dazcat, but a lot of well thought out features on this cat too. I would certainly consider it.

Both cats are similarly priced and are near enough the same in lenght and both these cats can be customised to a certain extend. Both can have a cutter rig setup, which I find important too as we consider to go to somewhat extremer places.

But, these cats, like any cat or boat, also have their drawbacks and compromises. As mentioned earlier, the perfect cat doesn´t exist! The above is only my opinion and view.

However, if it would have to be more of a standard unit, I would consider a Leopard 46 as well.

But at this moment in time, I cannot afford any of them!!!!!!!!!!

[dirkdig]

A perfect cat has an Atm machine onboard that never runs out of cash.

[tamicatana]

Originally Posted by dirkdig

A perfect cat has an Atm machine onboard that never runs out of cash.

Made of carbon, so it's very lightweight

[Canibul]

Still floating and paid for.

[gts1544]

No pulse / Not breathing!

[avb3]

Has only one hull.

[multihullsailor6]

My PERFECT cat (which does not yet exist) will be built for me along these lines:

- LOA 14m, width 9-10m
- Lightweight
- Wave-piercing bows, flared hulls
- Daggerboards and lifting rudders
- Very high bridgedeck clearance
- Twin Wally-Omer-Wing masts
- One engine (located in front of the main cabin) with twin hydraulic drives and 3-bladed folding props on propshafts
- Water, wind and solar generating systems - in other words close to self sufficient
- Twin steering positions
- Extended main cabin, open plan, to include the normal cockpit area with fully opening windows/doors
- Galley and eating area down
- 2 double cabins and twin bathrooms

[Lt.]

Originally Posted by impi

Lt. ... you do realise you are going to start a war with this one ... dont ya?

Yep, but a fun one! >=~)