"Garry Beattie" wrote in message
u...
Hi Chris.

I agree with Jeff.

I have sailed on all sorts of boats, from 14 foot cats to 80 foot maxi's
and
the cruising boat of my choice is a 40+ foot catamaran.

That's my logic. I figure 40+ should be plenty stable in open water.

Last year we sailed a 50 foot cat from Vanuatu to Australia and, just off
Observatory Cay we were hit with a huge storm which whipped the winds up
to
45 knots and seas of 20+ feet.
It hit us after dark but we could see it coming on the radar and planned
ahead. We triple reefed the main and Genoa and travelled through it no
problems at all.

Which model 50 was that, if you don't mind?

I wasn't at all concerned for our safety.

Had we still been in Vanuatu we would have not left port until the storm
had
passed, but on a 10 day voyage you have to expect you may get some bad
weather.

I guess it all depends on where you are going to sail it too. I know a 40+
knot storm in these parts is considered a bad storm, but I also believe
that
if the same storm hit in some places of the Atlantic they would consider
it
a miner disturbance.

Well, I live on the east coast of Florida. Anything less than a good 70mph
wind is pretty much picnic weather down here. ;-)

One brilliant cruising cat that is made in Australia is the Perry 43.
I have never seen a better cat in it's class yet. (And no I don't
represent
the company!)

Have a look at their web site at
http://www.perrycatamarans.com.au/main.htm

Thanks alot for the info.