1 or 2 hulls?

[stewart]

OK, keep this quiet but I'm thinking of changing sides from constantly pouring untold quantities of diesel into my tanks to feed 1100hp of engines and getting a boat with one of those big white bits of cloth on top. The thing is this though, I'm used to lots of space, plenty of places to lounge around in the Med etc and most yachts in the 45-50' range don't seem to have much space outside so I thought maybe a catamaran.

So heres what I was wondering:
1 - is there much more room on a catamaran, especially outside, than a similar length single hulled boat?
2 - is there a big difference in price?
3 - which is easier to sail?
4 - how many crew would be required for say 50' catamaran?
5 - what about berthing - presumably a catamaran would take up two berths in a marina?
6 - which is the more stable and has the best sea keeping?

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Robin2]

1) yes
2) not simply because its a cat, I suspect
3) cat - no rolling
4) same as 50' mono - depends on your social and sailing skills and courage
5) about 1.5 berths - extra cost depends on kindliness of marina
6) cat

---- no contest !

 

[tcm]

A catamaran is a bit of a leap for someone with a sexy sunseeker. They are unpopular in the med, cos the berths are strictly width, not length. And, there's sod all point in some of the advantages around the med, namely shallow draught and ability to dry out, cos no tide. They unfortunately do not look attractive imho. See google for things like the Fontain Pajot. I will laugh unless it's an ex-racer like club Med or similar. The other thing is that they have this funny "nodding" motion at sea- instead of being in the sea like a proper sailyboat, they are "on" it. There are lots of cats for charter in the caribbee, perhaps worth a look before u make a plunge?

So, may as well buy an old slightly scappy sailyboat with no teak decks (cos they absorb heat) and plonk around considering buying an icemaker. Or perhaps buy an icemaker.

Crew in maj. costs €200/day in high season for someone who can sail things. Siomeone who will make food and clean boats costs about half this. Only needs one to sail, two to berth i wd say, three or four for longer passage, but many a 50 footer makes do with only one person.

Oh for chrissakes not a cat. A nice Swan, mebbe, all racey? Or an Oyster, a bit more cruiserish?

 

[Twister_Ken]

And cats don't lean over like monohulls, so if you're used to the deck under feet being relatively flat, get a cat.

PS big ones also come with two engines, which might make you feel more at home!<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Twister_Ken on 09/07/2002 20:48 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[ToMo]

What are you going to do trying to sail a football field about?....if you get a 50 footer that's what it will feel like! and one one that size you are going to need a minimum of a crew of 4 or a partner who is good doing cycling tricks!...the bike is to get fore and aft in a hurry when mooring.
Nah you don't want to end up like me!...they all think I'm mad on here.
TôMö

 

[stewart]

Well it's only a thought at present, thinking of taking quite a lot of time off and going touring round the med. As you know that's not a cheap proposition with 40gph of diesel so was thinking sail. I know what you mean about the looks, but the space and space on deck is just so tempting compared to a single hull. Not sure if I'll make the change though, really don't want to give up the proper boat with big engines!!!!

 

[oldsaltoz]

G’day Stewart.
More and more are turning to catamarans for a number of reasons and I suspect the main factor preventing most is the cost per foot.
Bit to answer your questions: -

1 - Is there more room on a catamaran?
Heaps more deck, storage, living and lounging space; add a full length / width awning and have more space than you can ever use as well as a cool spot (and boat) in the breeze. Most cat designs use about 45% of their length to form a saloon and cockpit, so on a smallish 33 footer you have an area 14 feet by 14 feet +. Alternatively, a rule of thumb, add one third the cat length to get the same space in a monohull, 33 foot cat = a 41 foot mono.

2 - Is there a big difference in price?
Yes, and can be double the price of a monohull per foot, but keep in mind you have two hulls and more than double the beam in most designs.

3 - Which is easier to sail?
Cats and Monos have the same equipment when it comes to hoisting and trimming sails, the cat has more space on the forward deck, so setting, and dropping sails is simpler and safer. However you must be very careful when running and to a reach, as this will load the rig, a monohull will simply heel over a bit more. .

4 - How many crew would be required for say 50' catamaran?
No more and no less than for any other sailing vessel.

5 - What about berthing - presumably a catamaran would take up two berths in a marina?
This depends on the size (beam) cat you end up with. Most 33 foot cats will fit into a standard berth and cost no more than a monohull; larger cats need a berth on the end of a finger and are normally charged depending on length in this situation.

6 - which is the more stable and has the best sea keeping?
The motion of a cat is quite different however and can take some getting to, we have a saying on board “who pushed me” for when you take a step and the deck meets your foot before you expected it, causing you to trip a little. This is not a problem in light conditions. Cats do not go well into a big sea; the underbridge clearance is a major factor to look for if you are planning ocean crossings.

One item you did not ask about was comfort. A cat will not keep you awake with mast halliards slapping all night, they don’t get a roll up at anchor like monos do. Also you will be pleased to know your drink will be right were you left it after putting it down to tack the boat, little or no heel means things don’t all end up on the floor. Crew moving about the boat do not cause the heeling moment to change. You don’t get rolled out of your bunk when off watch, and you can have at least 2 double berths, some cats have 4, with plenty of space for bathroom and toilet. One last item, if one of the crew (or you) makes a lot of noise at night, ZZZZzzzzzZZZzz you can assign them to a bunk in the other hull, try that in a mono. As cats have no heavy keels they tend to stay afloat even when holed, this not the case with most monohulls. The lack of a keel dragging in the water also ensures a cat will cruise faster than a mono.

I have owned and sailed / raced monohulls in all sorts of conditions for more than 40 years and still I love them, but if you are looking for comfort, space and speed, you need 2 hulls. The above is only opinion and no doubt others on the forum will have further comments to assist you.

Avaniceweekend Old Salt Oz……

 

[sailbadthesinner]

I entirely agree with old salts facts and would only add that you need more space in anchorages as they do sail about a bit. We found setting two anchors helps as we did drag ( so did all the other boats to be fair, i thik it wsas poor holding for the conditions.)
They also take some holding berthing in a cross wind, if you do foul up just go out and do it again.
Howevwer the joy of making six and half knots up wind while the girlies cooked was a joy. They would never go below in a mono as they felt sick and it was too hot (med and carribean) they loved the cat lots of room
2 engines and less noise than in a mono IMHO
Only got to be careful not to overload rig as the rig will not tell you till its too late
they are fast and comfortable.
If you love marinas howver they are costly but just anchor off, its much more fun

I would charter
SS have a 36 footer in the ionian this season or there are a few in the Balearics and loads in the carrib.

happy sailing

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