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Tnflakbait · 25-03-2008, 07:31

Here is a cool video about the Gunboats on CNN.

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

Erik C · 25-03-2008, 07:46

Very very nice boat, I would not call it a family cruising catamaran though.

gonesail · 25-03-2008, 08:02

why stop there if you have 1 or 2 million to spend? if speed is your goal then get a powerboat. there are enough things to worry about besides whether you are moving at 10 or 20 knots IMHO

ssullivan · 25-03-2008, 08:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik C

Very very nice boat, I would not call it a family cruising catamaran though.

Beg to differ... I saw a 62' a couple years ago cruising in the North East USA. Was set up beautifully. You can have the interior any way you like it and sail handling set up any way you like it.

The boat makes a fantastic cruiser, if set up to be one.

Tnflakbait · 25-03-2008, 08:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonesail

why stop there if you have 1 or 2 million to spend? if speed is your goal then get a powerboat. there are enough things to worry about besides whether you are moving at 10 or 20 knots IMHO

I agree these boats are over the top, but there are arguements for performance cruisers. And yes speed is a factor in cruising. Otherwise we would all be sailing Hans Christians and Tahiti Ketches. Power boats make terrible world cruisers IMHO. After you cross the Pacific and get to the Marquesas count how many power boats are in Atuouna (sp.?)harbor.

Tnflakbait · 25-03-2008, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik C

Very very nice boat, I would not call it a family cruising catamaran though.

It's absolutely is a family cruiser. Just because its going fast and being pushed in the video, doesn't mean you have to do that with the fam onboard. I'm sure it's not for everyone though. (Just rich people)

liberty16 · 25-03-2008, 08:57

I was surprised to see people NOT wearing life jackets, even on the mono's. Isn't that always a smart precaution to take in case of an MOB during the race?

Connemara · 25-03-2008, 09:11

Nahhh!

Racers are tough... you fall off one of those Maxis and you're expected to swim home.

Connemara

Erik C · 25-03-2008, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssullivan

Beg to differ... I saw a 62' a couple years ago cruising in the North East USA. Was set up beautifully. You can have the interior any way you like it and sail handling set up any way you like it.

The boat makes a fantastic cruiser, if set up to be one.

Sure, but doesn't that kind of defeat the object though? All this high tech, exotic materials, enourmous speed potential, and then just go cruising? Seems a bit of a waste, these boats are build for speed. To just take it on a leisurely cruise is a bit like hitching a caravan on a Ferrari.

**David M** · 25-03-2008, 10:16

That was excellent! I had a big grin on my face watching those Gunboats going like hell. Until now, I have only seen static pictures of the Gunboats, other than one video of a Gunboat overtaking a Reichle-Pugh.

Who cares whether or not a Gunboat makes a great cruiser or how expensive they are...fast is fun!

Thanks tnflakbait!!

imagine2frolic · 25-03-2008, 11:28

The faster I can AFFORD to go while sailing the better. I want to get to a destination as quick as I can. I will take the time to smell the roses at anchor. I sailed my 30ftr averaging 100 miles a day, because that is what I could afford. Sailing single-handed is tough on you, and if you can cut that time in half the better off you are.

Now that I can sail 200+ miles a day, and with much more comfort. I would prefer to keep it that way. Passing through a weather window, and not getting bad weather is a good thing. A faster boat will do that for you. You can always slow down anytime you want. I would love to have the luxury of speeding up too.

Just think about it. If a crossing is 30+ days to get to your destination, and you can cut that in half. Then you have 15 days at anchor to sight see, or do absolutely nothing. Chances are in that extra 15 days you will get extra bad weather. You will be so rested, and ready for more while the boat that took 30 days will just be coming into anchor.

ssullivan · 25-03-2008, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Connemara

Nahhh!

Racers are tough... you fall off one of those Maxis and you're expected to swim home.

Connemara

Ha ha ha... funny, that's kind of how I was brought up sailing as well. Stupid, foolish and macho.

I did almost drown once, but I never made the mistake of holding onto a line at 5 knots, waaaaay behind the boat again.

I couldn't get above water, and I had swallowed a lung full, so I had to hand-over-hand my way back in, completely under water and againsts the 5 knots, while everyone was drunk on board and didn't notice. Inches from drowning. I couldn't even lift my own weight up the transom when I got back. Luckily someone noticed after I let a yell and they helped lift me up the transom.

We did some incredibly stupid stuff on the water when I was a kid.

caribnsol · 25-03-2008, 13:10

That is an awesome boat, and other than the repeated bashing of cruising cats by the narrator, it was a pretty cool video. As far as practicality, cruising etc, if you've got the cash, why not have as much fun with it as possible. I can think of worse ways to spend it (taxes, supporting adult children, travel to cold places)

Bill

Tnflakbait · 25-03-2008, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik C

Sure, but doesn't that kind of defeat the object though? All this high tech, exotic materials, enourmous speed potential, and then just go cruising? Seems a bit of a waste, these boats are build for speed. To just take it on a leisurely cruise is a bit like hitching a caravan on a Ferrari.

If I was going to buy a cat for pure racing it sure wouldn't be a gunboat. It would be something lighter and faster.