Is there such thing as a safe, world-cruising multi-hull sailboat?

[detav007]

I love these posts. I would imagine boats (multi or mono) are as safe as the persons captaining them. If you're a dummy, you're gonna have problems. Can't wait to see what develops.

[perchance]

I would think an inverted cat makes for a poor life raft but better than nothing

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by PCSailor

You're joking here right,...!!



about the spring cleaning??

No, I don't think he was. Our boat has been in the water 13 months now, and we certainly haven't flipped it more than twice.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Factor

Good in theory - but likely to give you a lot of wrong information about sailing characteristics. By all means charter one, for feel and and size testing and usability etc, but dont charter one to test sailing performance. Most charter cats have modest sail-plans, many have unadjustable outhauls, topping lifts tied off, rudders not in alignment, cheap but tough props that dont fold, sails that are blown out, rigs that are not tuned etc.

This thread is I fear going to have all the usual suspects turn up shortly telling porkies - like cats dont go to weather, - a good production cat will go to whether equally as well as a similar quality production mono, a good custom build will go to weather as well as a very good mono.

The issue here is more about size, the longer the distance the bigger the boat and the higher the latitudes also probably the bigger the boat.

But people have taken my boat type half way round the world, and indeed smaller cats have done Cape Horn etc etc.

Actually the to weather bit was more to see if they could take it...
I've known a coupla 3 harded mono men go green and commune with god while they feed the fishes with that peculiar hobby horse some have...
First family cat to round Cape Horn was I believe skippered by a lady called Rosie Swale, her husband and kids.. one of them born on the voyage if memory serves me well..
Can't remember how good a read her book was... but good for research

[Palarran]

Originally Posted by PCSailor

Is there such thing as a safe, world-cruising multi-hull sailboat?

I am wondering? I am starting the hunt for a round-the-world boat and I think I would prefer a multihull. But not at the compromise of safety or putting peoples lives at risk should I get caught in bad weather.

Any voices of experience here?

Cheers,
Phil

What you might want to do is read through the 20 or so threads that are available on Cruisers Forum first, then ask this question if you need to. I see you joined a while ago but don't post much. If your not familar with the Google Search it is really easy. Click the search tab then use the second search option. You can use "multihull vs Mono" or some thing. Another way to get the information your looking for is to go to the multihull discussion board and start paging backwards. It won't take long to find one.



MONO'S SUCK!!!

[boatman61]

Thats like asking if a Hummers better than a VW Beetle.... no way... a Hummer could never catch a VW.... Herbie Rools....

[Factor]

Originally Posted by PCSailor

You're joking here right,...!!



about the spring cleaning??

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

No, I don't think he was. Our boat has been in the water 13 months now, and we certainly haven't flipped it more than twice.

Yes -they were both joking, the hint was in the spring cleaning, neither of them have spring cleaned the boat.

ITS a joke joyce.

[Palarran]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Thats like asking if a Hummers better than a VW Beetle.... no way... a Hummer could never catch a VW.... Herbie Rools....

I prefer hummers any day

[Sand crab]

The reality is that all the production cruiser multihulls of about 40' in length are safe world cruisers. If you get one of these you can't go wrong. These companies didn't get where they are by building unsafe products for over 20 years. Somewhere around 40' or so they get safer but alot of fine boats exist shorter than that are extremely capable. 40' is a gudeline and not an absolute. Lagoon FP, Seawind and more make sub 40' cats that are capable. Most of the one-offs and customs are fine also. When I flip my cat over, she farts.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Palarran

I prefer hummers any day

I prefer VW's.... they fall within my $500/mth budget....

[Cotemar]

PCSailor,

Yes, smj is kidding you. See his smily face at the end.

When you charter a cat and gain experience your self you will see this thread as but a memory.

Mark

[gwmort]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

PCSailor,

Yes, smj is kidding you. See his smily face at the end.

When you charter a cat and gain experience your self you will see this thread as but a memory.

Mark

Well, actually they are probably being literal. If they never flip then it is literally true that they do not flip more than twice a year (0 is less than 2).

[kenny chaos]

I'm here now because of a 52' cat in st. lucia which never even lifted
her tail.
Eagerly waiting to close on a boat but not a cat, too much $$.
I was looking at a real nice Solaris Cat that SMJ had/has for sale.

[PCSailor]

Hi everyone and thanks for the comments and ideas. I've already learned the a blue water cat is a reality, and a safe one at that. Despite what some believe here this is a serious question. I have been reading <http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f48/is-world-cruising-safe-on-a-cat-28288.html> which is also a similar discussion with good points. The safety issue is important for obvious reasons, but also my girlfriend is inexperienced and the major boat decisions are mine to make. It is an experience issue, 23 years on the water vs. less then one. You can see who has the safety responsibility.

It seems a cat is very doable. Now further research is hull material (strongly towards aluminum), and whether to buy used or slowly build up my own (it would be a first build for me but I have the space).

Please understand my motivation here. I am starting my dream right here and I am sharing my experience starting now. Should I live long enough we will accomplish this dream. Right now I am at anchor in Dominica, but not on my boat, I am working. I want to move towards being on my on boat.

Cheers all,
Phil

[smj]

Originally Posted by kenny chaos

I'm here now because of a 52' cat in st. lucia which never even lifted
her tail.
Eagerly waiting to close on a boat but not a cat, too much $$.
I was looking at a real nice Solaris Cat that SMJ had/has for sale.

She's still for sale, and we just got through with our spring cleaning