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Old 08-10-2011, 17:59   #1
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Old, Solid, Slow but Reliable Cats - Which Would You Choose ?

I want more in the cruising kitty than what a $300K used cat purchase would leave. Don't get me wrong, late model and speed is nice, but I have to accept that won't fly on my budget. So I have narrowed my search to 20+ year old Prout or Catalac. Go ahead and give me the negatives on both. I think the Catalac 12 meter (or any vessel) would sail better to windward keeping the hulls clean and using a Maxprop or other feathering prop. My range at final offer is $100K~$125K. I know that isn't much for a capable bluewater vessel, 38' to 50', that doesn't need a refit, but again, I'm looking at 20+ year old boats. I am looking for input from all who care to comment, but if you have first hand experience with either or both, please note that in your response.

Thank you in advance
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Old 08-10-2011, 18:34   #2
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Re: Old, Solid, Slow but Reliable Cats - Which Would You Choose ?

I didn't get back in time to edit the above post. Cantana is in the mix, and yes, I know I would have to go to $150K for it. Only problem I have is the foam sandwich hull, that on an older boat can be problematic over solid fiberglass hull.
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Old 09-10-2011, 04:36   #3
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Re: Old, Solid, Slow but Reliable Cats - Which Would You Choose ?

I think either a Prout of a Catalac could work well for you. A Catalac 12M crossed the Atlantic from Florida to England this year without issues, demonstrating yet again that although designed in a different era, there's not a thing wrong with these older boats.

There's at least one Prout and Catalac for sale by owner in the link in my signature,
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Old 09-10-2011, 04:51   #4
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Re: Old, Solid, Slow but Reliable Cats - Which Would You Choose ?

I would also consider an older Lagoon 37. They are well built and comfortable boats. And there are a couple of them for sale out there right now in your price range. But I would not consider them slow at all.
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Old 09-10-2011, 15:22   #5
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Re: Old, Solid, Slow but Reliable Cats - Which Would You Choose ?

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I would also consider an older Lagoon 37. They are well built and comfortable boats. And there are a couple of them for sale out there right now in your price range. But I would not consider them slow at all.
For what you are considering with battery power the Lagoon 37 possibly has a better load carrying ability than the fore mentioned vessels.
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Old 09-10-2011, 15:29   #6
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As an old cat sailor I hate saying this, but...

... you should be looking at monohulls, for many good reasons.
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Old 09-10-2011, 15:41   #7
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Re: Old, Solid, Slow but Reliable Cats - Which Would You Choose ?

Check out older Dean 44' catamarans. Solid glass, well-made boats.

[No affiliation, just really admire them]
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Old 09-10-2011, 16:30   #8
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Re: Old, Solid, Slow but Reliable Cats - Which Would You Choose ?

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Check out older Dean 44' catamarans. Solid glass, well-made boats.

[No affiliation, just really admire them]

Can't find any older ones on the market and the few late models are out of my price range.
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Old 09-10-2011, 16:42   #9
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Re: Old, Solid, Slow but Reliable Cats - Which Would You Choose ?

Tropic Cat,

Discovered your site long before I joined this one. You have a great site and search engines give it great billing, I think I just typed "cruising catamarans", it was on the first page near the top.

Downunder,

Plans have changed just a bit. When the time comes, all I will do is a short shake down, refit only what is needed, and provision and be off. As time goes by, if one of the diesels need replacing, then I'll give electric drive a go, with the other side still being diesel.
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Old 09-10-2011, 16:50   #10
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Tropic Cat,

Downunder,

Plans have changed just a bit. When the time comes, all I will do is a short shake down, refit only what is needed, and provision and be off. As time goes by, if one of the diesels need replacing, then I'll give electric drive a go, with the other side still being diesel.

Sounds like an excellent plan revision.
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Old 09-10-2011, 17:10   #11
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Re: Old, Solid, Slow but Reliable Cats - Which Would You Choose ?

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Sounds like an excellent plan revision.
It was dictated by my desire to get going right away and upwind sailing performance (or lack of) of the older cats I'm interested in.
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Old 09-10-2011, 17:11   #12
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Re: Old, Solid, Slow but Reliable Cats - Which Would You Choose ?

At 150 you can have a Privilege 36, Catana 381, FP ... .

On the cheap end, you can add EdelCat.

The Catalac is very ugly and has pretty successful interior, probably not to everybody's tastes.

Prouts are Prouts and Prouts. The newer ones are actually quite interesting and they sail very well too.

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Old 09-10-2011, 20:46   #13
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Re: Old, Solid, Slow but Reliable Cats - Which Would You Choose ?

As a Proutie, I'll tell you that if it's been on the market for some time, you should start with a lower bid. We COULD have gone shortly after purchase of ours, but we wanted to get the interior to exactly what we wished to cruise in (yeah, I know, but it's been fun doing that, too). The relatively small price meant that we had the money to do that. And she (1982 Snowgoose, the narrower one not the Elite) is a very dry boat, with a good stiff hull. The nearly-7' headroom in the hulls is also kind of a nice feature; the profile is still low enough that I can sit in the "barstool"-style captain's chair and see the pushpit rail. Reassuring when steering. And I can stand up in the center of the salon, because of the nacelle (which is still present although ours is a twin-diesel model). We love our Prout! We were also interested in the Catalac 12m, but there were not any in our price range available when we were looking. So there's some feedback for you :-) Good luck!
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Old 09-10-2011, 21:17   #14
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Re: Old, Solid, Slow but Reliable Cats - Which Would You Choose ?

Suggest you read the good cat bad cat article on the web, you may not agree with it but you should consider the points raised.
It helped me make my choice and I think few peolpe will argue that weight is a very important issue with cats.
The older FPs and Lagoons make good buying in the sub $150K.
I don’t think anyone will deny that the Catanas are excellent cats, but they are not cheap if they are any good.
A bad boat will cost you a fourtune to fix no matter what brand it is, the only difference will be how much money you won’t get back in the end.
Good luck with your quest I’m sure you will be happy with a cat.
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Old 09-10-2011, 21:50   #15
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Re: Old, Solid, Slow but Reliable Cats - Which Would You Choose ?

Going by hearsay only, Sailcraft catamarans. They seem to have the bridgedeck clearance needed and are probably faster than most of their generation. The Iroqouis (30 feet) apparently had a tendency to turn turtle, but the larger sisters look to be pretty good cruising boats. Can't wait to see one in person someday soon.
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