Any views on the Commanche catamaran?

[NealB]

Yes, we're still boatless (a very weird feeling) and considering all options before making offers.

We've seen a really nice Commanche that we really like. However, I've never sailed one.

Any inside information would be very useful.

Many thanks.

 

[Deleted member 478]

Never heard of it. Who is the designer, who builds them, do you have a link to website where we can see photos etc?

 

[sailorman]

Re: Any views on the Comanche catamaran?

a friend capsized a Iroquois on the Orwell many yrs ago trying to race the police boat the Ian Jacob /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[boatbuilder]

Designed by Macalpine Downie in the early 70s, prob built by reg White in Brightlingsea.
Good stable sailing cat . Narrow by todays standards but I'd have one if I could afford one.

 

[snowleopard]

Re: Any views on the Comanche catamaran?

An Iroquois is a very different proposition from its big brothers.

The family were designed by Rod McAlpine Downey. here's one

 

[Talbot]

I have sent you a pm (click on the flashing envelope shape in the dark blue title bar)

 

[Telstar26]

Geoff Pack had a Comanche and crossed the atlantic in it (I think). Iroquois Owners Assn includes Comanche

 

[boatbuilder]

I think you will find he had an Apache. And a Wharram /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[snowleopard]

Yes, the Apache is another thing again, 40ft as against 32. Same drawing board but chalk & cheese.

 

[steveh]

Never sailed one but had a look around one. I thought the interior
was well laid out.
I didn't like the fact that it had an emergency float fitted to the top of the mast. Must have been there for a reason!

 

[boatbuilder]

The float thing wasa fashion thing that did not last long, once people learnt to sail multis properley. Mk1 Iroquios were the main culprit as the rig was a bit on the tallside.
Sailed as a cruiser you would have trouble turning one over.And before anybody tellsme that an Apache rolled over , it had a non standard rig and was being raced by a well known multihull sailer, who has made a career of giving cats a bad name.

 

[Cobra]

The Commanche was designed by Rod McAlpine Downie in the early 1970's and was built by Reg Whites Sail Craft in Brightlingsea.

I used to work for Reg on the Sales side, and had the good fortune to have the use of a Commanche for a weekend. We sailed from Brightlingsea round to Burnham in a fairly solid SouthWesterly 5. We carried full sail all the way, and at no time did she give us anything other than a fast and steady ride. Certainly a very well behaved moggy!

Only comment that my (then) girlfriend made was that the aft cabin was a little bit on the small side /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[NealB]

So you must have a good beat on some legs of that trip..

How did she go to windward? Did she tack confidently, or did she need lots of nursing to avoid getting in irons and making a sternboard?

Many thanks for all the comments, greatly appreciated.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: So you must have a good beat on some legs of that trip..

How did she go to windward? Did she tack confidently, or did she need lots of nursing to avoid getting in irons and making a sternboard?"

The cat or the girlfriend?

 

[Cobra]

Re: So you must have a good beat on some legs of that trip..

Like virtualy all the McAlpine Downie designed cats, the Commanche would tack comfortably as long as you approached the tack positively with no fannying about...ie keep the speed up, and then shoot through the eye of the wind smoothly. In lighter airs, it always helps to keep the headsail sheeted until it starts to back, just to help her on her way. The motion to windward is very comfortable, and as I have already said no major alarms from this thoroughbred cat!!

Yes, I do like them, and IMHO, the Commanche was probably the best of the big Sail Craft cats, and almost certainly the best of all the big cats of that era!

 

[Cobra]

Re: So you must have a good beat on some legs of that trip..

[ QUOTE ]
How did she go to windward? Did she tack confidently, or did she need lots of nursing to avoid getting in irons and making a sternboard?"

The cat or the girlfriend?

[/ QUOTE ]

No Ken...the girlfriend needed no nursing or persuasion whatsoever!!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif