If You Had $400K to Buy a Cat....

[Event_Horizon]

Originally Posted by Gordon

The Catana has exceptional performance providing you with a very capable blue water cruising and enabling a high degree of safety for a couple intent on long ocean voyages. The use of centre boards improves performance and enhances safety. ( slipping rather than tipping )
Centralised sheeting -running under the decks to a single power winch located under cover aft in the cockpit providing safety of operation and ease of control.
Twin helm positions for that true sailor feel and great visibility. The actual helms have direct steering connection giving true feel and feedback.
Strength of construction throughout with quality fittings.The obstacle free decks, large open trampoline area and the design of the hulls ( torpedo shape to reduce rocking chair effect in heavy seas ),
The unsinkability due to density of product used in the sandwich construction. Also totally waterproof bulkheads add to the unsinkability keeping any holes or leaks away from living areas.
My wife and I had the opotunity last Sept. to visit the Catana factory and were very impressed withe the detail and care taken in construction. Avery high quality boat and built to last.
I viewed a 2004 built 47 Catana this was a fine example of what a well kept boat should look like, this boat was sold with in 6 days of going on the market here in Australia ( Mooloolaba QLD ). The american family had completed their pacific oddesy and were moving on. They had only praise for the Catana.

Gordon

Two things...

1) I heard there were a few years where Catana quality was relatively poor (compared to other Catanas) due to a factory switch. I believe this is around 1998-2000. Can anyone confirm or deny?

2) Helm positions bother me. I've never been on one so I can't say for sure, but I feel like I really wouldn't want to be there on the boat in any serious weather (when the autohelm couldn't handle it). Has anyone on this forum had experience with this?

[smj]

Originally Posted by Event_Horizon

Two things...

1) I heard there were a few years where Catana quality was relatively poor (compared to other Catanas) due to a factory switch. I believe this is around 1998-2000. Can anyone confirm or deny?

2) Helm positions bother me. I've never been on one so I can't say for sure, but I feel like I really wouldn't want to be there on the boat in any serious weather (when the autohelm couldn't handle it). Has anyone on this forum had experience with this?

I have seen and talked to owners that had serious delam. problems in quite a few of the Catana's with the 1's behind the length. (381 431 etc.)
From what I hear the factory didn't honor their warranty as they were having financial problems.

[Denvermike66]

Originally Posted by Event_Horizon

Two things...

1) I heard there were a few years where Catana quality was relatively poor (compared to other Catanas) due to a factory switch. I believe this is around 1998-2000. Can anyone confirm or deny?

2) Helm positions bother me. I've never been on one so I can't say for sure, but I feel like I really wouldn't want to be there on the boat in any serious weather (when the autohelm couldn't handle it). Has anyone on this forum had experience with this?

Can't wait to get a response on this! I really like the Catana and I too have a concern about the helm positions. I imagine it is convenient to park though. Another concern is my girlfriend is vertically challenged so viability will be a concern also for her! All the give n take makes me want to

[Denvermike66]

Originally Posted by smj

I have seen and talked to owners that had serious delam. problems in quite a few of the Catana's with the 1's behind the length. (381 431 etc.)
From what I hear the factory didn't honor their warranty as they were having financial problems.

Hearing this makes me wonder.... again! We will have to see what the response is on this. Might force me to buy a Cat from a stable company.

[Denvermike66]

Question... will having dagger boards stop a Cat from "crabbing" when going up wind? Another words will I still have to run my engine on the leeward side?
Thanks again everyone!

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by Denvermike66

Question... will having dagger boards stop a Cat from "crabbing" when going up wind? Another words will I still have to run my engine on the leeward side?
Thanks again everyone!

Not sure I understand what you are asking. AFAIK, crabbing will provide more lift, hence only a perfectly size keel for the situation will provide optimum performance without crabbing......?

If I'm crabbing, I've got enough wind to go as fast as I want to go, no engine required....

[Denvermike66]

OK... that makes sense Dotdun. Thanks for that. Always learning and you all are a great help.
Thanks!

[Seawindow]

Hi Denvermike66, Seawind use Yanmar 29HP engines typically in their 1160 and 1250 although they have just launched a 1250 with Yanmar 40 HP's.... The 29HP's run the 41' Seawind 1250 pretty well even with a crowd on board but it depends what your duty is (ie current, lots of motoring, power generation etc). Cheers, Seawindow

[Gordon]

Hi Denvermike,
Maybe time to revisit the Orana 44, having just sailed north from Sydney 420nm in comfort and with ease, we averaged 7.5 kts with overnights in rivers or ports, we would not ask for anything more. A very simple layout easily managed by a couple. Maybe not as fast as the Catana but with all the room and creature comforts you could wish for. With a deck 6' above water level and a helm position protected by the saloon roof and very good allround visibility you feel safe and able to easily control all maneouvers.

[Ortolan]

Check out Maine Cat, www.mecat.com We bought the last new 41', but there are gently used ones for sale. Yanmar engines. Excellent bridgedeck clearance. Had to discount most cats due to not enough headroom, but Antares was a top contender until we decided on the Maine Cat.
Charter one first; that helps....whichever one(s) you end up leaning toward.
Best of luck to you. It's a very personal decision.

[Sailor Vee]

Mike,

We faced a nearly identical budget and question over the last few years... after years of shopping we ended up purchasing our Crowther/Alwoplast 47' catamaran the Frances Mae which we are currently living on half time on the east coast after a winter in the Exumas. All of the boats you have on your short list might suit you just fine and will be a pleasure for you to cruise on however I would consider the following. Open your search to include well designed professionally built owners version custom performance cats. They are generally a bit less expensive and get you more boat for the money. You will be more than rewarded provided the fit and finish is high by ending up with a larger or newer vessel for the money, a generally (although not always) faster boat, and you can end up with some really nice custom features that make for a really fine experience. For example, we ended up with twin 100 hp engines (I can't tell you how nice this has been for us...when we need to, we can easily cruise alternating engines at 8.5 to 9 knots while sipping fuel and yet when there is a 6 knot opposing tidal current we have the power to truly be in control), a 10' bowsprit giving us the effective sail area of a 57' vessel, interior and exterior helm, water maker, high end heads, Code zero sail, parachute emergency system, full electronics in our purchase. I feel I really got a lot more for my money by shopping and waiting for the right fit for us.

The downside is that when you eventually sell, you you have the same advantage turned against you although much of the initial investment is wrung out when it is sold by the initial seller.

If you do take this route, make certain you only consider respected builders and caveat emptor on any home built vessels.

If your budget is $400k, only spend $360 k on the vessel...you will need 40K to get it just like you want it if it is used. If you are buying new, you will be amazed at all the things you will need which they leave out of the sail away price.

Get a Port Supply account set up if you can. It saved me a ton.

Make certain you find a broker who is a catamaran specialist to act as your BUYERS broker to work with. The Seller is paying the commissions. DO NOT USE THE SELLERS BROKER as your broker. They can not represent both sides of the deal fairly (although they will vehemently disagree and try to tell you differently). I used a very experienced broker with lots of cat cruising experience named Tom Kintz (TOM KINTZ <tom@multihullworld.com>) with whom I was very pleased although I am sure there are several good ones out there. Having someone who has not just sailed on but lived on many different brands is a big plus. Something many buyers are not aware of....if you make email or phone contact with a dealer link on Yacht World you will often have just selected your broker for that vessel whether you like it or not! If you have 400k to spend on a vessel, (unless of course you just won the lottery) you are nobody's fool. You want someone working for you and not for the seller.

Good luck in your search. I hope you enjoy the process as much as I did.


Hang5

[downunder]

Mike,

You should check out the Ballotta built Kelsall KSS 46.

Kelsall Catamarans - Ballotta Catamarans - Custom built catamarans

Seem well built and the right price. Standard vessel sail away price of US $345,000. certainly fits your price range.

Kelsall Catamarans - Ballotta Catamarans - Custom built catamarans - Prices

John

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Ortolan

We bought the last new 41', but there are gently used ones for sale.

Did they stop selling the 41?

Mark

[colemj]

Originally Posted by Denvermike66

Might force me to buy a Cat from a stable company.

LMAO! Is there such a thing in the marine business?

Mark

[YOGAO]

Originally Posted by colemj

Did they stop selling the 41?

Mark

No, the 41 can still be bought, but...

Maine Cat is a small builder with limited floor space. They unveiled a power cat called the P-47 that has been so well received that the timeline for a new MC41 is years out.

To address the need for more factory capacity, Maine Cat has entered into an agreement with Lyman-Morse to build sailing cats at the Lyman-Morse facility in Thomaston, Maine.

Kind of a win-win, since L-M needs the work and Maine Cat would like to sell more boats. I don't know any of the other details though.

Fair Winds,
Mike