Tomcat 32 foot catamaran question

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

It's basically a Gemini knockoff with a few modifications

I don't see the comparison. The G105mc is 2 feet longer but 2 feet narrower. You can get the Gem into a standard slip but may have issues with the TC. The TC has a tramp, outboards and higher bridgedeck clearance. The Gem has solid foredeck diesel with Sillette, and is pretty damn low. And because of the narrow width the Gem has to be sailed with some caution. I think the TC is a better built boat as well. I also think it's a better boat if you were going offshore.



On the other hand if I was looking for a boat for just cruising around Puget Sound the the Gem would be worth a look.

[mikedefieslife]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

I don't see the comparison. The G105mc is 2 feet longer but 2 feet narrower. You can get the Gem into a standard slip but may have issues with the TC. The TC has a tramp, outboards and higher bridgedeck clearance. The Gem has solid foredeck diesel with Sillette, and is pretty damn low. And because of the narrow width the Gem has to be sailed with some caution. I think the TC is a better built boat as well. I also think it's a better boat if you were going offshore.



On the other hand if I was looking for a boat for just cruising around Puget Sound the the Gem would be worth a look.

What caution is that? The Gemini is narrow but that doesn't mean it's any less stable than wider cats such as the Lagoon 380. It has a much shorter mast and sail area with lower centre of effort. Hence will have a similar static and dynamic stability rating as a wider cat with taller mast and greater sail area. Weight is also important. The heavier cat having more stability all other things being equal, so load her up with beer and eat a few pies to prevent flying a hull

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

I don't see the comparison. The G105mc is 2 feet longer but 2 feet narrower. You can get the Gem into a standard slip but may have issues with the TC. The TC has a tramp, outboards and higher bridgedeck clearance. The Gem has solid foredeck diesel with Sillette, and is pretty damn low. And because of the narrow width the Gem has to be sailed with some caution. I think the TC is a better built boat as well. I also think it's a better boat if you were going offshore.

Knockoff doesn't mean exact same specs down to the millimeter. It's pretty much the same design brief and very similar layout. It's a small really shallow draft simple cat that can fit into most (but not all) standard slips.

I indicated there were some differences. (PS: lots of older Geminis are outboard powered and not a few retrofit with twin outboards)

[sjm823]

Originally Posted by Brian Sweet

There have been many threads about small cats, but......

My wife and I are looking for a small bluewater capabable cat. for a 1-3 year sail.
We've been looking at Lagoon 380's, but honestly, I'd rather something smaller for the two of us. We want the benefits of a cat, but are looking for something simple. The nicest thing about a 380 or a Mahe 36 is their track record and that they've been all over the world. Leading me to my question:

Is there any reason a TomCat Catamaran at only 32 feet would not be as safe for ocean crossing as a 380 or Mahe 36? Is there something else I'm missing?

Length: 32 feet
Beam: 16 feet

Thanks for your opinons.
Brian Sweet
Winthrop, WA

Just following up on Brian Sweets post, did you buy the TomCat, and if so, what has been your experience?