Why a Catamaran?

[andreas.mehlin]

Originally Posted by weavis

I would have to disagree for here in the U.K.
Here is just one advertiser

Catalac Sailing Yachts for sale UK, used Catalac Sailing Yachts, new Catalac yacht sales, free photo ads - Apollo Duck

We have a special problem in as much as we need a VAT tax paid vessel to sail here as an EU resident in other parts of Europe.

well...
You say limit is 37ft and what I could see in that link there is just 30ft cats.
Of course you can find cats below 100k, but around 37ft it is not easy to find GOOD ones.

I have had one 30ft Endeavourcat (which I sailed 11 000nm over the pacific in) and a 38ft Helios (also sailed across the paicifc). An Endeavourcat was huge considering the 30ft. Although, it's still 30ft and can feel cramped in it. It is a super huge difference 30 vs 38ft. The Gemini and Endavourcat 30 is very similar in the layout and size (both are narrow).

[REsCat]

Originally Posted by oceannavigator

I'm glad to see you didn't include great sailing and speed in the list of advantages. A heavily loaded Catalac will be about the same speed as a monohull.

You can get them moving, but you can't have much stuff or water or fuel.

What specific monohulls would be about the same speed as a heavily loaded Catalac or...are you saying monohulls in general...?

Bob

[oceannavigator]

Originally Posted by REsCat

What specific monohulls would be about the same speed as a heavily loaded Catalac or...are you saying monohulls in general...?

Bob

Cruising monohulls, in general. You are going to get like 7 knots out of a heavily budened Catalac.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by andreas.mehlin

well...
You say limit is 37ft and what I could see in that link there is just 30ft cats.
Of course you can find cats below 100k, but around 37ft it is not easy to find GOOD ones.

I have had one 30ft Endeavourcat (which I sailed 11 000nm over the pacific in) and a 38ft Helios (also sailed across the paicifc). An Endeavourcat was huge considering the 30ft. Although, it's still 30ft and can feel cramped in it. It is a super huge difference 30 vs 38ft. The Gemini and Endavourcat 30 is very similar in the layout and size (both are narrow).

Hi andreas
I chose that site at random.. it specialises in Catalacs...... but there are many others.
Your right, getting a good one costs a little more... but still in the price bracket.
I dont know the endeavourcat..... so will have a look. Thanks for that.

[REsCat]

Originally Posted by oceannavigator

Cruising monohulls, in general. You are going to get like 7 knots out of a heavily budened Catalac.

I think your statement is ridiculous and far to general, unspecific, and bears little to the discussion of Why a Catamaran. jmho...

Bob

[weavis]

Originally Posted by oceannavigator

Cruising monohulls, in general. You are going to get like 7 knots out of a heavily budened Catalac.

The Hull defines the maximum speed under canvas and engine. Excluding water and excess wind conditions of course. The design is an older one. So 7 knots laden sounds good. I would have thought closer to 5.5 when heavily loaded. And definitely requiring engines against the wind.

However........ The longest sail will be to Spain if purchased in the U.K. (I have done this trip myself in 1985 on a monohull).

After that, it will be the odd light coastal and perhaps overnight sails of 127 miles each way to the Balearic Islands from the Mainland. (Although.......a friend is coming up with a plan and costs at his home/berth in Menorca).

5-7 knots and nowhere to get to very fast seems ideal.

Its not a Gunboat that does 20knots plus. Its also not $3 million plus...... its a liveaboard with the ability to do weather and change scenery and be a reasonable cost in an overcharging Marina scene......Its enough for me to handle comfortably and the thing is....... its only ME. Not two people..... ME.
My first studio apartment in Mallorca was smaller than the area in a Catalac 9m...! (including cockpit).

I might not even end up with a the smaller Cat.. I might go up a little.. depends what is available at the time. But I DONT want anything Im not happy to sail single handedly.

[oceannavigator]

Originally Posted by REsCat

I think your statement is ridiculous and far to general, unspecific, and bears little to the discussion of Why a Catamaran. jmho...

Bob

Likewise yours borders absurd. jmho How many Catalacs have you owned?

Speak up when you know what you are talking about from real life experience, please. Thank you.

[oceannavigator]

Originally Posted by weavis

The Hull defines the maximum speed under canvas and engine. Excluding water and excess wind conditions of course. The design is an older one. So 7 knots laden sounds good. I would have thought closer to 5.5 when heavily loaded. And definitely requiring engines against the wind.

However........ The longest sail will be to Spain if purchased in the U.K. (I have done this trip myself in 1985 on a monohull).

After that, it will be the odd light coastal and perhaps overnight sails of 127 miles each way to the Balearic Islands from the Mainland. (Although.......a friend is coming up with a plan and costs at his home/berth in Menorca).

5-7 knots and nowhere to get to very fast seems ideal.

Its not a Gunboat that does 20knots plus. Its also not $3 million plus...... its a liveaboard with the ability to do weather and change scenery and be a reasonable cost in an overcharging Marina scene......Its enough for me to handle comfortably and the thing is....... its only ME. Not two people..... ME.
My first studio apartment in Mallorca was smaller than the area in a Catalac 9m...! (including cockpit).

I might not even end up with a the smaller Cat.. I might go up a little.. depends what is available at the time. But I DONT want anything Im not happy to sail single handedly.

You might come in a little under 7 knots ifyou load her with gear. My 10 meter Catalac performed at the levels I indicated, loaded. I could eeek out 8 knots if I was careful to remove everything. A TPI built lagoon (from the other thread) is several steps up in performance, seakindliness and overall accommodation.

[weavis]

Originally Posted by oceannavigator

You might come in a little under 7 knots ifyou load her with gear. My 10 meter Catalac performed at the levels I indicated, loaded. I could eeek out 8 knots if I was careful to remove everything. A TPI built lagoon (from the other thread) is several steps up in performance, seakindliness and overall accommodation.

but $30k extra in import duty and VAT...
and....... requires $40K work............

[weavis]

Originally Posted by oceannavigator

You might come in a little under 7 knots ifyou load her with gear. My 10 meter Catalac performed at the levels I indicated, loaded. I could eeek out 8 knots if I was careful to remove everything.

I think its a different hull design to the 8 and 9.

[REsCat]

Originally Posted by oceannavigator

Likewise yours borders absurd. jmho How many Catalacs have you owned?

My experiences or ownerships of Catalacs... or lack of... has no relevance to my opinion of your blanket statement of heavily loaded Catalacs having the same speed as cruising monohulls in general.

Bob

[oceannavigator]

Originally Posted by REsCat

My experiences or ownerships of Catalacs... or lack of... has no relevance to my opinion of your blanket statement of heavily loaded Catalacs having the same speed as cruising monohulls in general.

Bob

Lol... yeah, that's what I thought. When you actually know what you are talking about, then you can call my post absurd. Thanks.

[weavis]

OceanNavigator. what is your opinion of the 10m Catalac overall? Good points and bad?

[oceannavigator]

Originally Posted by weavis

I think its a different hull design to the 8 and 9.

Not very different. Very similar with some variances due to a shorter length at the waterline. The guy at the world's most well known Catalac site, is an expert on even the smallest detail of these boats.

The 10 has a bit more bridgedeck clearance. Otherwise, they are the same overall design/performance.

These boats do motor like a dream though. The twin diesels in a smaller boat is a nice luxury.

There is nothing wrong with the boats. On the contrary, they are tanks. You can instantly feel how solid they are the moment you board one.

There are plenty of reasons they make good boats to cruise in. Speed isn't one of them.

[oceannavigator]

Originally Posted by weavis

OceanNavigator. what is your opinion of the 10m Catalac overall? Good points and bad?

Good Points:

Built like a tank - you're not breaking it
All hardware oversized and extremely seaworthy
Cleats and winches properly backplated
Twin diesels
Plenty of stowage to live aboard
Homey feel with a lot of wood
Comfortable passage maker
Beaching or drying out no problem with skegs
Incredible feature on small boat of having no engines, fuel, anchor or batteries in main cabin. Very nice, fresh air^^^^^

Bad Points:

A little over built in terms of weight - you are not breaking speed records
Old, inefficient hull design. High wetted surface area.
Sail area too small for displacement - might be a plus to you, easily handled sails
All those deckhouse windows leak -you have to stay on top of that
Iron diesel tanks, stainless water tank - all in the process of rusting out all these years in
Steering position disliked by many, I did not mind it. You have to look through the deckhouse
Bow lockers need larger drains. They always plugged up with leaves or dirt and flooded the locker - mold was the result.