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regarding catamarans/trimarans
Considering a catamaran or trimaran for purchase, but have some curiosity
regarding their stability in the open ocean, as well as various weather condition. I've heard that the cat isn't really a rough weather boat, but does this apply to the trimaran as well? What are some characteristics I should expect of each? Which model may be good to look for? Any suggestions as far as what problem areas to consider? What's a good boat, new or used, to check out? Thanks in advance. |
regarding catamarans/trimarans
You will hear many things about cats and tris, mostly from people who haven't been onboard
them. Although its claimed that cruising cats will capsize in heavy weather, the truth is that there have been only a handful of real production cruising cats over 34 feet capsize while cruising in the last 20 or 30 years. Most of the stories you hear about are racing boats, homemade boats, smaller cats plus maybe a few that were lost in deliveries. One writer claims that there have only been 4 capsizes in the last 50 years. And, none of them sank. Trimarans have a more checkered record, but most of them are built for racing. There are only a handful of cruising designs for tris. The Farrier class association confesses to a number of capsizes while racing (about 1 a year?) but has only had only 1 "cruising capsize." I will say that just like monohulls, there are some cats that are made for coastal cruising, others are suited for bluewater. I wouldn't be eager to try my PDQ in a North Atlantic Springtime crossing, but its been done, and a dozen or so have been to Bermuda. Prouts are better suited to nasty weather, but I'm not sure that being able to carry full sail in 30 knots is really an asset for coastal cruising. I've my boat in winds to 45 knots and 10 foot steep seas, and never felt a risk. And I've sailed all day in 30 knots while wife & kid relaxed, cooked, played, etc. So when you mention "rough weather" just what are you really planning for? Are you expecting to do many ocean crossings, or are you just thinking it would be nice to have a boat the could do it? -- -jeff www.sv-loki.com "The sea was angry that day, my friend. Like an old man trying to send back soup at the deli." "Chris" wrote in message om... Considering a catamaran or trimaran for purchase, but have some curiosity regarding their stability in the open ocean, as well as various weather condition. I've heard that the cat isn't really a rough weather boat, but does this apply to the trimaran as well? What are some characteristics I should expect of each? Which model may be good to look for? Any suggestions as far as what problem areas to consider? What's a good boat, new or used, to check out? Thanks in advance. |
regarding catamarans/trimarans
"Jeff Morris" jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom wrote in message ... You will hear many things about cats and tris, mostly from people who haven't been onboard them. Although its claimed that cruising cats will capsize in heavy weather, the truth is that there have been only a handful of real production cruising cats over 34 feet capsize while cruising in the last 20 or 30 years. Most of the stories you hear about are racing boats, homemade boats, smaller cats plus maybe a few that were lost in deliveries. One writer claims that there have only been 4 capsizes in the last 50 years. And, none of them sank. Trimarans have a more checkered record, but most of them are built for racing. There are only a handful of cruising designs for tris. The Farrier class association confesses to a number of capsizes while racing (about 1 a year?) but has only had only 1 "cruising capsize." I will say that just like monohulls, there are some cats that are made for coastal cruising, others are suited for bluewater. I wouldn't be eager to try my PDQ in a North Atlantic Springtime crossing, but its been done, and a dozen or so have been to Bermuda. Prouts are better suited to nasty weather, but I'm not sure that being able to carry full sail in 30 knots is really an asset for coastal cruising. I've my boat in winds to 45 knots and 10 foot steep seas, and never felt a risk. And I've sailed all day in 30 knots while wife & kid relaxed, cooked, played, etc. So when you mention "rough weather" just what are you really planning for? Are you expecting to do many ocean crossings, or are you just thinking it would be nice to have a boat the could do it? When I say "rough weather", I am talking worst-case scenario, open ocean conditions. 30+knot winds, high seas, something that can really take a beating. What would be a good size for say trans-atlantic cruising, assuming that's an option? I'm expecting to make routine crossings, something in the 30 to 50 foot range would be ideal. |
regarding catamarans/trimarans
Cats don't scale well below 35 - most are too narrow and don't have appropriate bridge
(under deck) clearance. If you want a passagemaker, a Prout 37 has made as many circumnavigations as almost any other boat. But you tell us, how many long passages have you made, and what kind of boat are you looking for? "Chris" wrote in message ... "Jeff Morris" jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom wrote in message ... You will hear many things about cats and tris, mostly from people who haven't been onboard them. Although its claimed that cruising cats will capsize in heavy weather, the truth is that there have been only a handful of real production cruising cats over 34 feet capsize while cruising in the last 20 or 30 years. Most of the stories you hear about are racing boats, homemade boats, smaller cats plus maybe a few that were lost in deliveries. One writer claims that there have only been 4 capsizes in the last 50 years. And, none of them sank. Trimarans have a more checkered record, but most of them are built for racing. There are only a handful of cruising designs for tris. The Farrier class association confesses to a number of capsizes while racing (about 1 a year?) but has only had only 1 "cruising capsize." I will say that just like monohulls, there are some cats that are made for coastal cruising, others are suited for bluewater. I wouldn't be eager to try my PDQ in a North Atlantic Springtime crossing, but its been done, and a dozen or so have been to Bermuda. Prouts are better suited to nasty weather, but I'm not sure that being able to carry full sail in 30 knots is really an asset for coastal cruising. I've my boat in winds to 45 knots and 10 foot steep seas, and never felt a risk. And I've sailed all day in 30 knots while wife & kid relaxed, cooked, played, etc. So when you mention "rough weather" just what are you really planning for? Are you expecting to do many ocean crossings, or are you just thinking it would be nice to have a boat the could do it? When I say "rough weather", I am talking worst-case scenario, open ocean conditions. 30+knot winds, high seas, something that can really take a beating. What would be a good size for say trans-atlantic cruising, assuming that's an option? I'm expecting to make routine crossings, something in the 30 to 50 foot range would be ideal. |
regarding catamarans/trimarans
"Jeff Morris" jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom wrote in message ... Cats don't scale well below 35 - most are too narrow and don't have appropriate bridge (under deck) clearance. If you want a passagemaker, a Prout 37 has made as many circumnavigations as almost any other boat. But you tell us, how many long passages have you made, and what kind of boat are you looking for? I've made afew coastal trips in a Beneteau 32 footer, longer passages in a 47.7 footer. Been on a smaller sport cat once, absolutely loved it. All in all, I think 12 coastal, and 4 long passages. Looking for something that can take the weather reasonably well, alittle under 50 feet, with good cruising ammenities, as well as a strong sail, somewhere over 500 sq. ft. to the sail. Any ideas? |
regarding catamarans/trimarans
A 50 foot cat is a monster boat - more space than a small house. I would guess that most cats over
cruising cats over 40 are sufficiently seaworthy. Remember, almost all of the charter cats in the Caribbean got there on their own bottoms from Europe or South Africa. But the layout of a charter cat is not necessarily what you want. You might look at the PDQ 42. -- -jeff "Chris" wrote in message om... "Jeff Morris" jeffmo@NoSpam-sv-lokiDOTcom wrote in message ... Cats don't scale well below 35 - most are too narrow and don't have appropriate bridge (under deck) clearance. If you want a passagemaker, a Prout 37 has made as many circumnavigations as almost any other boat. But you tell us, how many long passages have you made, and what kind of boat are you looking for? I've made afew coastal trips in a Beneteau 32 footer, longer passages in a 47.7 footer. Been on a smaller sport cat once, absolutely loved it. All in all, I think 12 coastal, and 4 long passages. Looking for something that can take the weather reasonably well, alittle under 50 feet, with good cruising ammenities, as well as a strong sail, somewhere over 500 sq. ft. to the sail. Any ideas? |
regarding catamarans/trimarans
"Jeff Morris" wrote in message ... A 50 foot cat is a monster boat - more space than a small house. I would guess that most cats over cruising cats over 40 are sufficiently seaworthy. Remember, almost all of the charter cats in the Caribbean got there on their own bottoms from Europe or South Africa. But the layout of a charter cat is not necessarily what you want. You might look at the PDQ 42. -- -jeff Wow, took a look at the PDQ. Thanks. Looks almost as roomy as my house at 42. Nice layout too. No, charter layout is probably not what I'm looking for. I'm thinking that something mid 30-feet to mid 40-feet is great. Plenty of room, plenty of comfort, seaworthy. Can anyone tell me about Trimarans now? I've seen afew in video and on the net, but not witnessed any firsthand. How well do they handle? Any quirks to sailing them I should be aware of besides possibly high berthing fees? Thanks. |
regarding catamarans/trimarans
"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. |
regarding catamarans/trimarans
G'day Chris.
Mate, sorry, I can't tell you the breed of Cat it was. I had never heard of the breed before and the name escapes me at present. It was a home made cat though, but very well done. Let me clarify one thing from my previous post, which didn't sound quite right when I re-read it. When I said "I wasn't at all concerned for our safety." I meant we took all the precautions necessary for the storm and, once we hit it, the boat handled in a way that made me feel safe and not at all concerned for our safety. Best regards -- Garry Beattie Ocean Spirit Trailer Sailer & Small Yacht Cruising Emagazine www.ocean-spirit.com "Chris" wrote in message . com... "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. |
regarding catamarans/trimarans: The Condor 40
Hi Chris, Well, there is the Condor 40 tri'. My guess is that there were twelve to twenty of these boats produced. They can usually be had for around $50K. The boat is actually closer to 42 feet in length, and has a beam of about 28 feet. The sailplan packs a real punch, but the boat is extremely stable and can be single-handed. A racing/cruising design, this boat sacrifices some comfort for performance; I don't think you'll find it as comfortable as some of the cats that have been discussed, but it does have all of the amenities (e.g., standing headroom in the main cabin, two queen-sized births, head with shower, galley, nav-station), and nothing has been miniaturized (although full headroom in the head would have been nice). The advantage is you would likely get there faster and perhaps be able to easier avoid some nasty weather. The main features of this boat are its seaworthiness and speed. The owners of these boats often make ocean crossings. Also, many are equipped with an outboard for auxilliary power and can be conviently beached. There is an owner's website (currently under construction, but has a nice photo on the home page): http://www.condortrimaran.com/ 'hope this helps - - Scott "Chris" wrote in message om... "Jeff Morris" wrote in message ... A 50 foot cat is a monster boat - more space than a small house. I would guess that most cats over cruising cats over 40 are sufficiently seaworthy. Remember, almost all of the charter cats in the Caribbean got there on their own bottoms from Europe or South Africa. But the layout of a charter cat is not necessarily what you want. You might look at the PDQ 42. -- -jeff Wow, took a look at the PDQ. Thanks. Looks almost as roomy as my house at 42. Nice layout too. No, charter layout is probably not what I'm looking for. I'm thinking that something mid 30-feet to mid 40-feet is great. Plenty of room, plenty of comfort, seaworthy. Can anyone tell me about Trimarans now? I've seen afew in video and on the net, but not witnessed any firsthand. How well do they handle? Any quirks to sailing them I should be aware of besides possibly high berthing fees? Thanks. |
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