Monohulllers, Tell Us What You Like About Multihulls

[Joli]

I enjoy sailing beach cats and most tri's,they are fun to sail. I like the space a cat affords. Good for you Brad.

[Factor]

Originally Posted by callmecrazy

aren't all cats 'power cats', just some have a mast and some dont?

In as much as all (almost all in any event) monos are power launches, some with masts and some without - then yes

[Mexdon]

A. Shallow draft....can be beached and easy to take BBQ eqip ashore.
B. Large deck space at anchor. Makes a good dance floor
C. Flat ride.

[DotDun]

Listen to real sailors (vs. armchair sailors) about Catitude, currently in the middle of the Atlantic participating in the ARC.

Yacht logs from World Cruising Club: ARC

"Many of us on board were monohull purists until this trip, but when it comes to a choice between trying to use the loo with your feet braced up the wall, or being able to have a proper shower while underway, I'm not so sure any more!"

[Southern Star]

Actually, a pretty good list of 'likes' so far from the monohull crowd:

1. Deck space - and not just for chasing after young women, as one poster suggested, but also for lounging, repairing inflatables, cleaning and flaking sails, etc.

2. Interior space - yes, but also easier access to the interior. (I for one don't miss having to climb up and down a steep companionway ladder on a heeling boat while holding on to gear, or drinks, or...).

3. A brighter saloon - yes, but also the ability to see the horizon from a chart table, or to do an anchor watch in bad conditions from the comfort of the interior.

4. Dinghy storage on davits that fits in the with look of the boat - yes, but also better protection for a dinghy on davits when underway (the extension of the hulls aft of the bridgedeck provides some protection for the dinghy from both wind and waves off the beam).

5. More comfortable galleys - yes, and often safer to the extent that the cook won't have the risks associated with heeling.

6. Performance off the wind in flat water. Yes, and on a cat a symmetrical spinnaker becomes a legitimate short-handed cruising sail: the elimination of a pole and guys means that it can be gybed by siimply letting off on the sheets on one bow and hauling in on the other.

In addition, in my experience most cats perform better than most monos off the wind even in heavy conditions. The increased buoyancy aft, twin rudders and the reduction in heeling make the risk of broaching virtually non-existent. This, of course, is why the Open 60 monohulls (and some recent production monos) have gone to increased beam and relatively flat runs aft, with twin canted rudders. Safer and easier on the helmsperson/autopilot.

Anyway, a pretty good list and one that was compiled my monohullers>

Brad

[nautical62]

Sailing flat, lower draft, state rooms more spread out, no companionway steps, great view from the salon - I'd trade my monohull for a cat in a second if it wasn't for the cost difference.

[Marksman]

I like cats cause when they're kicking my ass off the wind I don't feel so compelled to try and win that race. Though we don't see many in our neck of the woods.

[Bash]

1. Eliminates the need for a gimbaled barbeque.
2. When you run it up on the beach, you can pretend you meant to.
3. In a shared anchorage, all the party people migrate to the multis, rather than cluttering up my cockpit.
3. No need to spend $3k+ on a dodger.
4. Easier to spot the Moorings charterers.
5. Makes ugly monohulls seem less hideous.
6. Basic system redundancy (if you lose one rudder/engine/hull, you've got a spare.)
7. Gets some really fine people out on the water who wouldn't be there otherwise.

[kaimusailing]

Great Bash,
Andy on Kaimu

[bangkaboat]

Shallow draft/draught, light-weight which means lighter/cheaper anchor gear, room in salon & cockpit, usually a hatch to view the stars while in bed, greater privacy, boom doesn't get so close to water on run, faster.

[niel12]

mm ... yea! I guess it's all about sailing!

[bstreep]

Sailing flat to keep drinks from spilling, and parking it on/near the beach.

[markpierce]

If nothing else, multihulls make life interesting. After all, they are rare out this way. Never considered owning one either.

[niel12]

Wow Mark, that mono sure looks stable i'd say! I wouldn't trust a no spill statement here though! It's not about the stability but the waste of good liquor!!!

[markpierce]

Maybe one of these months I'll see the boat "unfolded" and underway.