Hard Work Cat

[kkkennn]

Hi

I am a used car dealer,have try many cars before,if u ask me to choose a 2 to 3 liter car,I will buy a Lexus IS 250,easy to over 100,000 KM only normal maintenance ,small car will choose Toyota Corola.Question is :If I want to buy a small Cat between 30 to 42 foot ,what is the same hard work cat same as my choose in motor car U will suggest me,any input will very appreciate,thanks

Ken

[David M]

Are you looking for a comfortable cat in that size range?

[imagine2frolic]

Let's talk money. What's your budget, because they allow people to send you in the right direction.......i2f

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by kkkennn

Question is :If I want to buy a small Cat between 30 to 42 foot . . .

A catamaran around 30' is, indeed, relatively small-ish, but I think you'll discover that as you climb above 35' and, especially, as you approach 42', your "small" cat has gotten quite large. Do you have the experience to handle such a large vessel. Even a 30-35' cat is a handful for an experienced sailor if he/she is trying to do it single-handed.

TaoJones

[kkkennn]

Yes,but not very luxury,because of the budget,thanks

[kkkennn]

Originally Posted by TaoJones

A catamaran around 30' is, indeed, relatively small-ish, but I think you'll discover that as you climb above 35' and, especially, as you approach 42', your "small" cat has gotten quite large. Do you have the experience to handle such a large vessel. Even a 30-35' cat is a handful for an experienced sailor if he/she is trying to do it single-handed.

TaoJones

O,I am not an experienced sailor so I think I should change my mind to choose a boat not over 35' by single handed

[kkkennn]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

Let's talk money. What's your budget, because they allow people to send you in the right direction.......i2f

Not over 250,000 in new if not over 35'

[Talbot]

I am assuming you mean $US

new 30-35 ft is in itself a bit of a proble, as most new boats are 38-40 as the smallest. There are one or two new in the smaller range, but you are really cutting down on choice.

[imagine2frolic]

Go to yachtworld.com, or some other site. Punch in your numbers, and see what;s available. It will give you a good start on what you MIGHT want, and what you will settle for. BEST WISHES in finding something to cover your needs.......i2f

[neelie]

Take a close look at a Gemini... best bang for your buck.

An Overview of the Gemini 105Mc Cruising Catamaran

[imagine2frolic]

Around the world on SLAPDASH

Here's a great example of what can be accomplished on a Gemini. Slapdash is a great, informative, and funny read.......i2f

[Talbot]

Yes Gemini's have crossed oceans.

Yes they are a great coastal cruiser, whose performance can really impress and to windward, really upset the mono crowd!

Would I buy one for cross english channel and coastal cruising - probably

Would I want one for blue water - no - I dont believe that they have the strength and load capacity for continuous cruising and bad weather.

but that is my own opinion. I am very conservative by nature and want to cruise in luxury with my toys, and if that slows the boat a bit, who is in a hurry anyway!

[neelie]

Agreed that the Gemini is a light cat and that its built to a price, but it still remains the best bang for your buck and it is capable of ocean crossings. I'm not a Gemini enthusiast by any stretch, I don't even sail one, and yet I wonder why it gets a bad rap. There's a couple doing a circumnavigation on one, and seemingly its doing ok.

As to whether it has the strength or not to endure the 100 year storm? Who can tell?. Certainly not I. I have no idea how to assess whether boat X is stronger than boat Y. The only thing I know is that weight is not necessarily an indicator of strength.

Talbot : Are you aware of any Gemini's which have broken up in storms?
I'm interested because I have been recommending this boat to quite a few friends on tight budgets. I'll stop doing so if there is actually any hard data to substantiate the allegation that they are death traps on the ocean.

[Talbot]

Originally Posted by neelie

if there is actually any hard data to substantiate the allegation that they are death traps on the ocean.

I didn't say that. In fact I said that they have crossed oceans.

There is evidence that in bad weather that internal furniture gets damaged - which means they flex a lot and are lightly built.

The lighter a cat is built the faster it is, so that adds more loading, thus IMHO they will have a shorter life than a more heavily built boat. Ocean crossings will exacerbate this.

[billyehh]

Talbot is right on about the Gemini. I haven't sail one in years but from what I have read the later ones are stiffer. I have a Voyage 38 which is bigger and has a larger load capacity. The Gemini really suffers when you load it up with all the toys.

That said, if you keep the weight down, it will make a great coastal cruiser. Perfect for Florida, Bahamas and if you are careful, the eastern Caribbean. 18 inch draft is a wonderful thing.