Maine Cat 38

[patmo141]

Well I hadn’t refreshed my page, sorry I didn’t see the previous message which obviously answered mine

[Cloroxbottle]

Originally Posted by malabarmcgyver

Yes, it was in the Keys. I have met Jim Oren, the new MC builder, several times - Great guy.

Did you end up getting one, and did you go with the electric conversion?


The design looks great, it seems as if it has taken some elements from a PDQ and some from a Wharram.


Just completed the electric conversion on ours, but went with ePropulsion instead of ELCO...primarily because under sail at 4 knots+ those engines will recharge the matched ePropulsion batteries and Elco offers no regeneration. Also with Elco having the traditional drive leg you are still committed to the service and spares inventory of half of a gas outboard.

[malabarmcgyver]

Originally Posted by Cloroxbottle

Did you end up getting one, and did you go with the electric conversion?


The design looks great, it seems as if it has taken some elements from a PDQ and some from a Wharram.


Just completed the electric conversion on ours, but went with ePropulsion instead of ELCO...primarily because under sail at 4 knots+ those engines will recharge the matched ePropulsion batteries and Elco offers no regeneration. Also with Elco having the traditional drive leg you are still committed to the service and spares inventory of half of a gas outboard.

No, we haven't bought a new boat as of yet. We have had more conversations with the builder and if we proceed, I think we'll go with one Elco 20 and one Tohatsu 15 as I don't want all my eggs in one basket. The MC38, Hull #1, that arrived on the market sparked our interest, but with the single engine, even with the bowthruster, we don't think it'll work for us. I also heard that it had storm damage that was repaired. The spark, however, now has us missing our boat and we have looked at used ones. There's a Seawind that checks most of our boxes, but will be a compromise. Now that we are in the start of storm season, we are inclined to wait a few more months before making a decision.

[KylieDoggo]

I have been looking for a catamaran that was big enough to live aboard and be comfortable, but not luxury(extra weight), but also had a small enough beam to transit the Canadian portion of the Great Loop which means fitting through the locks on the Trent Severn Waterway, Rideau Canal and Chambly Canal in Canada two of them have the width of the smallest lock at 7m (23 ft). When I found out about the Maine Cat 38 it sounded perfect, performance and sailability first, lightweight, well designed hull and enclosed helm, and comfortable living spaces. I also want to do some ocean crossings and thought a 38' cat might be just be the minimum for crossings. Does anybody know if there is a similar design in the 44-46' range with a slightly larger overall beam of 6.7 m (22')? As it is the MC38 can be loaded with 4,300 lbs of people, equipment, and provisions, I do not want the extra length and beam to load the boat down unnecessary stuff I was thinking more displacement, little faster, and more stable in big weather. Speed is fun and exhilarating, but is also means safety if the boat can outrun ugly weather. Any input would be great, thanks.

[multihuler]

Originally Posted by malabarmcgyver

No, we haven't bought a new boat as of yet. We have had more conversations with the builder and if we proceed, I think we'll go with one Elco 20 and one Tohatsu 15 as I don't want all my eggs in one basket. The MC38, Hull #1, that arrived on the market sparked our interest, but with the single engine, even with the bowthruster, we don't think it'll work for us. I also heard that it had storm damage that was repaired. The spark, however, now has us missing our boat and we have looked at used ones. There's a Seawind that checks most of our boxes, but will be a compromise. Now that we are in the start of storm season, we are inclined to wait a few more months before making a decision.

The new 25hp , 25 " yamaha high thrust shaved 50 lbs, the perfect engine, far superior to any others, I had them on a 41 farrier cat, pushed it nicely with one

[ejlindahl]

That is a nice tidbit of info Steve. Thank you for posting it.

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by KylieDoggo

I have been looking for a catamaran that was big enough to live aboard and be comfortable, but not luxury(extra weight), but also had a small enough beam to transit the Canadian portion of the Great Loop which means fitting through the locks on the Trent Severn Waterway, Rideau Canal and Chambly Canal in Canada two of them have the width of the smallest lock at 7m (23 ft). When I found out about the Maine Cat 38 it sounded perfect, performance and sailability first, lightweight, well designed hull and enclosed helm, and comfortable living spaces. I also want to do some ocean crossings and thought a 38' cat might be just be the minimum for crossings. Does anybody know if there is a similar design in the 44-46' range with a slightly larger overall beam of 6.7 m (22')? As it is the MC38 can be loaded with 4,300 lbs of people, equipment, and provisions, I do not want the extra length and beam to load the boat down unnecessary stuff I was thinking more displacement, little faster, and more stable in big weather. Speed is fun and exhilarating, but is also means safety if the boat can outrun ugly weather. Any input would be great, thanks.

Not sure if I understood that correctly, but a 22’ beam in a 23’ lock is going to need some serious gelcoat work or repainting afterward.
Also, no way a MC 38 can carry 4300# of payload and still sail well, or be safe in heavy conditions.
I’m skeptical whenever I read about people thinking cruising cats are out-sailing weather systems. Yes, you can strategize to avoid weather systems but you can’t outrun them in most cruising cats that average 6-8kt in normal sailing weather. Rarely if ever do they sustain double digits. Any ideas about the MC38 as a high performance boat are promoted by sellers who are misleading buyers. It’s not.

[booomer4600]

Wow. I had the same thought and decided to buy the Maine cat 38. I called the builder and he said that he was building his last boat as he had lost money on the last one. I tried to get him to build another but he didn't want to. He also said the boat isn't good for the ocean just a weekender. It's to light. So I bought the Seawind 1190.
I like the Seawind a lot sailing it tracked good in heavy seas. Doesn't slam much. Is the fastest boat I've been on. Lots of sail little drag. The motors, rudders and keels all come up out of the water. Very little drag. I'm in Malaysia heading to the med. The things I don't like are very little rear deck and salon storage. The anchor they supplied wouldn't hold in muck. The bottom paint was ablative and was put on so light it didn't last a year. So I wanted copper coat but they wouldn't sell it. Just get it bare bottom and paint it copper coat some ware else. Ship your own anchors in. Also the fenders were tiny. Replaced them with long ones as many docks here are concrete, wood, or steel. You cannot buy any supplies in Vietnam. There are no stores. Also buy your own life jackets. The ones on the boat are junk. Don't sign the release of boat issues. Seawind will not repair anything. You should have a big money holdback with the broker. I mean nothing. They tell you to call the equipment supplier for anything wrong. You have a better use of the paper they use for the warrantee. It's called toilet paper. That said. It sails great and is of solid construction. Plan on being in Vietnam weeks longer than planned. They changed a lot of stuff they said they couldn't get

[KylieDoggo]

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

Not sure if I understood that correctly, but a 22’ beam in a 23’ lock is going to need some serious gelcoat work or repainting afterward.
Also, no way a MC 38 can carry 4300# of payload and still sail well, or be safe in heavy conditions.
I’m skeptical whenever I read about people thinking cruising cats are out-sailing weather systems. Yes, you can strategize to avoid weather systems but you can’t outrun them in most cruising cats that average 6-8kt in normal sailing weather. Rarely if ever do they sustain double digits. Any ideas about the MC38 as a high performance boat are promoted by sellers who are misleading buyers. It’s not.

The Maine Cat 38 has a lightship(empty) weight of 8,100 lbs and a design waterline displacement of 12,400 lbs which is a deadweight of 4,300 lbs for PAX, fuel, gear, food, water, etc. I am just going by the available specifications for that boat. If you do not believe me check out Gulf Shores Catamarans LLC in Ohio, they purchased the molds when Maine Cat went out of business and are producing the MC38 and the specs are on their website.

[smj]

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

Not sure if I understood that correctly, but a 22’ beam in a 23’ lock is going to need some serious gelcoat work or repainting afterward.
Also, no way a MC 38 can carry 4300# of payload and still sail well, or be safe in heavy conditions.
I’m skeptical whenever I read about people thinking cruising cats are out-sailing weather systems. Yes, you can strategize to avoid weather systems but you can’t outrun them in most cruising cats that average 6-8kt in normal sailing weather. Rarely if ever do they sustain double digits. Any ideas about the MC38 as a high performance boat are promoted by sellers who are misleading buyers. It’s not.

Performance is a relative thing? Compared to your old trimaran the MC 38 probably wouldn’t be considered performance, but compared to your new cat? Absolutely.

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by KylieDoggo

The Maine Cat 38 has a lightship(empty) weight of 8,100 lbs and a design waterline displacement of 12,400 lbs which is a deadweight of 4,300 lbs for PAX, fuel, gear, food, water, etc. I am just going by the available specifications for that boat. If you do not believe me check out Gulf Shores Catamarans LLC in Ohio, they purchased the molds when Maine Cat went out of business and are producing the MC38 and the specs are on their website.

Get ANY existing MC38 and get it to empty weight, then put it on the scales. I’d bet money that it would be well over 8100#.

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by smj

Performance is a relative thing? Compared to your old trimaran the MC 38 probably wouldn’t be considered performance, but compared to your new cat? Absolutely.

I’m not so sure. Putting that question aside-
My comment in this thread about the MC38 not being a high performance boat was not comparing to other boats but it was brought up in the context of “outrunning weather“. I think you need to be able to sustain average double digit speeds in order to do that. Not attainable for most of us, especially with cruising loads and tanks. It requires light long narrow hulls, performance sails and capable crew.

[malabarmcgyver]

Well, we did it! We bought Hull #1! Almost a year ago to the day, we had our first sail on a Maine Cat 38 and now we own one. We sailed her home last week and love everything about the boat. We still have improvements planned, but she is outfitted very well and the delivery trip was perfect except it was a little cold and not enough wind to stretch her legs, but that is coming. Thanks for all of your advice and assistance to get to the finish line!

[Sparx]

Congratulations! Glad you found a boat. We do love our Maine Cat 38, and hope yours provides years of enjoyment.

[VBsail]

Congratulations!

That's the one with the center mounted Honda 50 correct?