Multi-hull cruising: where to start?

[Cat_sailor]

Originally Posted by jbox84126

I like the price point! but i've read mixed reviews on the lagoon 380's performance....everything ive read so far makes it seem speed = safety. Or am i overthinking things for a first major cruiser?

This video talks a little about the speed issues on a Lagoon 380

https://youtu.be/Y2lvO4hzzYc

[jbox84126]

Thanks for all the tips everyone!

So far I’ve narrowed it down to:
Nautitech 441 (limited info on this one)!
Leopard 39 (bit cramped, and wish it had an island bed)
Seawind 1190 (my personal favorite but my SO is pretty opposed to galley down and the wet head for guests)

I’ve generally steered clear of lagoon because of quality issues I’ve read here but maybe I’m being harsh.

Would appreciate any info on these !

[owly]

Originally Posted by purvisgs

There is something to be said for a good old fashioned book vs blogs youtube etc. I'd say there is no better place to start than 'the case for the cruising trimaran' by Jim Brown possibly available free online.. Of course a little 'dated' as you say, but so long as you're not just wanting specific boat recommendations--not really. Then maybe Chris White's book the Cruising Multihull, 'Love for Sail' by Mark Hassall, 'Multihull Voyaging' Thomas Firth Jones

Excellent books every one.. I will say that what is not stressed enough is weight / payload. Jim Brown makes an extremely important point in boat size... that it basically increases with the CUBE of the length. That is to say a 40 foot boat is 8 times the size over all that a 20 footer is...not twice, not 4 times. That all spills over into cost. That is not 100% accurate, but quite close. That means bigger everything, more expensive everything. Maintenance alone will surpass the purchase of the boat over about 15 years. When I was in high school (early '70's), I saw my fellow students become slaves to cars........Boats are the same story. Do you own the boat, or does the boat own you?. I didn't have a car (by design), realizing early on that I had money, my friends had cars..... I could go wherever I wanted whenever I wanted, because I could buy gas.

The moral of the story is to buy a boat you can afford to OWN, not one you can afford to buy.........


PS As much as I like trimarans, they do not work for me.... not enough payload for boat size, and no bridge deck cabin......... I want that panoramic view from a warm safe dry place.... both for enjoyment and safety.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Cat_sailor

This video talks a little about the speed issues on a Lagoon 380

https://youtu.be/Y2lvO4hzzYc

As informative as mud..
It was not fast with motor.. guys a plonker. They manoeuvre just fine..
I have had 11 to 12 kts double reefed main and 1/3rd jib in a F7 Sardinia to Mallorca and running down to the Canaries in a f5 to f6 around 9kts with just the asymmetric running before the wind.
If he wants more motor speed upgrade from charter boat engines and get a decent prop.

[arsenelupiga]

find one that your wife/girlfriend likes and then learn to sail it well.

[Redreuben]

Originally Posted by arsenelupiga

find one that your wife/girlfriend likes and then learn to sail it well.

Only if she’s contributing to the purchase and the workload.
If it’s your money and your going to be doing the heavy lifting buy a boat that suits you but with her in mind.
Otherwise you’ll resent the compromise.

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by jbox84126

Thanks for all the tips everyone!

So far I’ve narrowed it down to:
Nautitech 441 (limited info on this one)!
Leopard 39 (bit cramped, and wish it had an island bed)
Seawind 1190 (my personal favorite but my SO is pretty opposed to galley down and the wet head for guests)

Would appreciate any info on these !

Is your wife a willing "participant" or just along for the ride?
There is a difference. Can she sail? Can she navigate? Is it her passion as well as yours?
You should consider agreeing on "sailing" courses for her on her own not accompanied by you.
Her perceptions will change and be more definitive and positive if she understands more about boats and sailing.

[jbox84126]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

Is your wife a willing "participant" or just along for the ride?
There is a difference. Can she sail? Can she navigate? Is it her passion as well as yours?
You should consider agreeing on "sailing" courses for her on her own not accompanied by you.
Her perceptions will change and be more definitive and positive if she understands more about boats and sailing.

She’s definitely willing but her focus today is on the live aboard aspects rather than sailing. Fully plan for her to take sailing courses. She’s helmed our 30’ footer but not navigated yet.

[smj]

Originally Posted by jbox84126

She’s definitely willing but her focus today is on the live aboard aspects rather than sailing. Fully plan for her to take sailing courses. She’s helmed our 30’ footer but not navigated yet.

So it may make sense to look at cats that are easily handled by one person?

[jbox84126]

Originally Posted by smj

So it may make sense to look at cats that are easily handled by one person?

I think we’ll get to a point where we’re both comfortable operating the boat, so want to have a longer term view

[smj]

Originally Posted by jbox84126

I think we’ll get to a point where we’re both comfortable operating the boat, so want to have a longer term view

[emoji1303]

[Jeannius]

Originally Posted by jbox84126

I think we’ll get to a point where we’re both comfortable operating the boat, so want to have a longer term view

You still want to look for a boat that's easy to single-hand because, when you are going long distance, you'll be single handing even with two of you aboard. Most of the time one will be on watch and the other asleep.

[jbox84126]

Originally Posted by Jeannius

You still want to look for a boat that's easy to single-hand because, when you are going long distance, you'll be single handing even with two of you aboard. Most of the time one will be on watch and the other asleep.

Totally agree …I’m settling towards a Nautitech 441 owners version but seems like there aren’t many out there