What is the magic beam for a cat

[Seapig]

I am sitting here approximately 300 yards from a travel lift. My boat is 3 inches too wide to use it. The only lift in 100 miles that can pull me out has a 3 month waiting list.


So calling upon the wisdom of the crowds what seems to be magic number to maximize the number of haul out options but not loose the advantage of a multihull?

[Chotu]

More places need to realize they can pull cats out with a trailer. Ridiculous to try to put them in a travel lift every time.

A rough approximation for a sailing boat is the beam is half the length.

[ThereAndBack]

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...nas-60680.html

^ The data contained in that thread and attached files may help give you a better understanding.

[tamicatana]

20’, if you ask me, as far as lifts and docking are concerned. Crowther thought that the beam should be half the length, generally speaking.

[CaptainRivet]

in Europe less then 7m, better a bit less then 6,50m.
typical beam for a 55ft mono that most midsize marinas can haul max.

You also sometimes have to be a bit insisting...talking to crane operator directly helps a lot too.
Had the same situation in May this year in Mallorca due to pandemic and boatyard where I was berthed said no not fitting. Talked to crane operator and he told me he can lift 6,50 which was exactly my beam. ask him if he would try and he said the bassin is the problem with 6,60m wide, if I get it in and its not too windy he will haul it. talked to boatyard manager which then agreed that we try and made it.

[smj]

Guess it depends on location, but US East Coast and Gulf Coast once you get over 20-21’ the haul out locations get harder to find and more expensive, both in hauling and lay day costs. But from my experience the wider beam gives a much smoother motion, so is it worth the extra hassle and expense?

[billgewater]

Darwin, on the international cruising circuit, has 4 marinas all with lock gates. Cullen Bay, Tipperary Waters and Bayview are all private and will take any one so are used a lot by the cruising fraternity. The "Duck Pond" or Fisherman's Marina is Govt. owned and will generally only take commercial vessels. The lock gates definitely restrict your entry into the marina so maybe lifting and pen/berth accommodation costs are not the only consideration. Rather than lift outs, many cruisers careen their catamarans on Fanny Bay beach. The big tides and a sandy beach make this easy plus it costs nothing.

[chasfgr]

There isn't one.
You're juggling with the immiscible factors of, maximum stability and minimum berth cost.
AS already pointed out, cats in a marina are only slightly more common than hen with teeth.
In Med marinas they are charged at the rate of 2 monohulls of similar length, most owners appea (or spouses) promise to be seduced by the promise of level sailing.
Ironically the majority of cats in the Med, seem to motor everywhere.

.
Admittedly a well-designed cat can outsial any monohull of the same length

[blubaju]

I usually beach or if needed hire a truck crane, the one used mostly on building sites. And I always lift on the chain plates. most cats are not that heavy

[aqfishing]

Originally Posted by Seapig

I am sitting here approximately 300 yards from a travel lift. My boat is 3 inches too wide to use it. The only lift in 100 miles that can pull me out has a 3 month waiting list.


So calling upon the wisdom of the crowds what seems to be magic number to maximize the number of haul out options but not loose the advantage of a multihull?

The widest you can afford and deal with the rest later!!!
Plan ahead for taking out, or park on the beach!

[django37]

60% of overall length. No problem to get on the hard.

[Seapig]

django37 is that a personal boat trailer or does it belong to a yard?

[Scaramanga F25]

Go to a Sandy beach.

[django37]

Originally Posted by Seapig

django37 is that a personal boat trailer or does it belong to a yard?

Both belong to yards, the simple one to a small yard in Greece, the blue one - called Ellie - to The Boat Works in OZ. Both will take all kinds of boats.
Have seen both kinds all over the world

[Sand crab]

I think that blue one might be a SeaLift brand . It hauled my tri. https://www.sea-lift.com/