Sailing a Monohull thinking of going to a catamaran

[Normanj27]

Hi
I'm in New England and am considering buying a catamaran with a galley up. The size would be between 36 and 42 feet. I have never sailed a catamaran that size but have been told that in is a different ride. I have seen some and been on some at the boat show in Newport. short of going to Annapolis or spending lots of money on a charter, I was wondering if anyone in the area would be willing to share the experience if you own one or have access to one
Can anyone help or have some ideas?

Norm

[delmarrey]

It basically comes down to budget, quality, availability, slippage and sailing ability (Cat experience). Other then that, I'd have one by now!

[SkiprJohn]

Norm,
Resist the temptation to go to the dark side!
Just kidding of course. Welcome aboard! Its good that you give everyone an opportunity to help you in your decision.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[bstreep]

Spend the money and go charter one for a week. That cured me... But, many, many folks have found that they love them. The problem with a boat show boat is that it's a short trial, and they are EMPTY. Load one up with water and fuel and beer and rum and 7 friends and THEN sail it.

[imagine2frolic]

Norm,

DON'T DO IT, you just might be taking up room for me in the anchorage.......lololol

[sandy daugherty]

I hate to say it, but New England has even fewer places to keep a cat than the lower lattitudes. But if you are already accustomed to a mooring, go for it. Chance a charter in a boat in your price range. Its been pointed out to me that a galley up arrangement doesn't work on cats under 42-44 feet, in that size range you will have more than twice as much counter space and room for microwave and front loading regrigerator in a galley down setup. The cook can still be part of the party, but is less likely to be cornered by 'sidewalk superintendants'. The bridgedeck in my PDQ is just salon, all other activities (cooking, navigating, communicating and crisis management) can carry on even with 7 or eight guests seated inside. Or five kids sleeping through a sail change.

[Southern Star]

Sandy, I too am a fan of the 'galley down' arrangement, particularly if there is an opening from the galley into the main saloon. It provides better bracing for the cook than most galley up arrangements, more counter/storage space (especially in smaller cats) and, most importantly, keeps the heaviest part of the accomodation/stores down low for better stability/capsize resistance.

In my boat it has also left space for a full sized chart table/nav station in the bridgedeck accomodation, which is almost impossible to achieve in cats under 40 feet that also have a large galley up. In my opinion, the nav station needs to be near the cockpit, whereas the galley does not.

Brad