Cheap Multis and Projects

[Factor]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

I disagree. Most homebuilt cat's are far better performers than most production boats. And those production boats built with performance in mind are very expensive.

So IMO there will still be a market at least for performance oriented homebuilds.

+1. Your oram and a pescott whitehaven are two good examples of good value good performing custom boats

[ocean_groover]

You don't notice the good homebuilds. They don't get picked as such.

[Azul]

Originally Posted by Factor

+1. Your oram and a pescott whitehaven are two good examples of good value good performing custom boats

Maybe so, but after seeing what happened to this fellow, a lifelong sailor with numerous crossings and considered locally to be a master craftsman (in his "well maintained" Cross 46) I won't be going offshore in a home-built anything. His stepson told me afterward "the front end fell off the port ama." Yikes.

Saved by VIKING - VIKING-LIFE

[Azul]

If cruising a home built, it might be a good idea to spring for a six man raft. The four man Viking raft (coastal version) that saved the aforementioned sailor looks a little cozy even for two.

[Sand crab]

I started and titled this thread. The reality is that the good home builds like 44Cs just don't fit here as they are neither cheap or projects. I do believe that home builds and one offs are a great value because of a possible and largely unwarranted negative view. And most were built with epoxy and that's a good thing.

[Sand crab]

Very interesting 60'.
60 ft - 18m - Catamaran in Sailboats | eBay Motors

[smj]

Originally Posted by Azul

Maybe so, but after seeing what happened to this fellow, a lifelong sailor with numerous crossings and considered locally to be a master craftsman (in his "well maintained" Cross 46) I won't be going offshore in a home-built anything. His stepson told me afterward "the front end fell off the port ama." Yikes.

Saved by VIKING - VIKING-LIFE

My guess is it couldn't have been well maintained or it wasn't well built for this to happen. What gets me is he left his liferaft tied to the boat. If the boat would have sunk he would have been pulled down with it in his raft. Why he untied from a still floating large trimaran and went adrift in his raft is to me a mystery.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Azul

If cruising a home built, it might be a good idea to spring for a six man raft. The four man Viking raft (coastal version) that saved the aforementioned sailor looks a little cozy even for two.

A production boat that sailed across the coral sea around the same time we did, experieced some strong weather like we did, and started opening up along the hull/deck join - we didn't. They had to change course and run for shelter behind an island, we sailed into port.

Their hull/deck join appeared to be held together with Sika and screws, our is heavily glassed and epoxied.

I know which I'd choose.

[Factor]

Originally Posted by Azul

If cruising a home built, it might be a good idea to spring for a six man raft. The four man Viking raft (coastal version) that saved the aforementioned sailor looks a little cozy even for two.

Talk to the life raft manufacturer before you do, the reality is that life rafts are designed yo be cozy, they are not designed to be comfortable, An 8 person raft with 2 in it is NOT as safe as one with 8 in it. The weight of the people forms an integral part of the system

[Azul]

Any boat is only as good as it was designed, built and maintained, the same is true for "experimental" category airplanes which I have owned and flown, and which have an accident record equivalent to production aircraft. One, an Oshkosh Grand Champion, was far superior to any production plane in quality. With a home-built "project" there are usually more variables to the equation, for example the builder and materials used. Marine ply or home depot? Modifications not approved by the designer? In the case of the Cross 46, many people alter the keel design to help it point better or reconfigure the rigging for more speed which can put additional stress on the hull which is probably what happened to Mr. Brake.

Additionally, with fewer units in use, less is known about potential weaknesses in design and construction. My "production" boat has been extensively modified by its prior engineer owners, but the modifications were to update it to mimic later production years, based on experience with the numerous hulls in usage.

The "bulkhead" of this plane was adorned with plaques from 17 major airshow awards, and it was "home built."

[downunder]

Azul,

You have just made the case for a quality built homemade vessel that sticks to designers plans.

Something to which your example of trimaran did not conform.

The point you make is valid in that some designers can be worried if changes to plans are made. The Australian kit cats are one way to mininise that concern.

[Boatguy30]

Your ignorance is vast! A wooden Cross multihull could not sink as is made of wood. I'm sure you're familiar with the concept of wood floating and spruce, fir, pine all being some of the lower density woods which were likely used in the build.

I have been on dozens of well built wood multihulls and most were in bad shape.
Most people don't have a clue what shape there boats are actually in. count youself lucky that you won't find yourself in a similar situation. You'll have a manufacturer to try and sue when your poorly maintained boat sinks!

[Azul]

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

Your ignorance is vast! A wooden Cross multihull could not sink as is made of wood. I'm sure you're familiar with the concept of wood floating and spruce, fir, pine all being some of the lower density woods which were likely used in the build.

I have been on dozens of well built wood multihulls and most were in bad shape.
Most people don't have a clue what shape there boats are actually in. count youself lucky that you won't find yourself in a similar situation. You'll have a manufacturer to try and sue when your poorly maintained boat sinks!

From the rules section:
We take the "be nice" rule VERY seriously! We do not tolerate ANY rudeness.
As a commercial member you should be especially aware that personal attacks are not appropriate.

Have you considered anger management? Seriously.

[Boatguy30]

Guess you don't want to see me angry. Thought ignorance was a polite technical term and not an attack.

anyhow, not sure why anyone would want to attack the boats that are the entire basis of this thread outright?

[Boatguy30]

sorry, where's the next cheap multi projects?