Cat.A or B ? What makes the difference?

[newboater]

A Beneteau can cost thousands more than say a Legend, but the Legend can be cat. A and the Beneteau cat. B so what is it that makes this difference?, certainly not the money but should you go for the Cat A? and does this mean it is a stronger ,safer boat.( I only chose these two makes as an example there are probably others)
Thank you for any answers.

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[aluijten]

I'm not an expert in this area, but I know there are several points that make the difference. For example the uprighting moment should have certain characteristics. A boat builder might change this by adding ballast to the keel (or change from iron to lead). Another thing is the height of the railing preventing you from falling overboard.
The thing is that some of these demands can be added to the boat during production but others are really part of the design. Changeing the latter is far too expensive most of the times.
If someone knows if the list of demands are on the internet somewhere, please tell us, I'm interested too.

Arno

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[alan]

If I understand correctly (and I'm no expert), it depends on a series of items that must comply with CE regulations; for example:

Electrical installation
gas installation
height of guardrails
provision of documentation
e.t.c.
e.t.c.
STABILITY

A lot of these items you can "correct" yourself and presumably apply for another CE category ........... however whether this would be economical or worthwhile is up to the individual.
As far as I understand your specific question then it is the stability on the Beneteau (Oceanis 311??) that prevents it being categorised as "A". This would be difficult to correct - perhaps a new longer lead keel ??? then get a naval architect to re-calculate the stability curve and then re-apply for a new CE category for your individual boat.

"Does this mean that it is a stronger safer boat??" ........... in my opinion not really. It means that in wind of force 8 and waves exceeding 2m (I think those are the parameters or something similar) then a Cat "A" boat shouldn't roll over!! However, it does not mean that a Cat "A" boat has 6 layers of CSM in the hull and a Cat "B" boat has only two ........... or whatever!

These categories are invented by some deskbouind beaurocrats in the CE to try and help people buying (new) boats to decide what is the correct boat for the use that they intend to put it; they do not indicate anything on the construction/quality of the boats in question per se.

I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will answer you with more detailed replies but for what it is worth that is my understanding.

Ala.
Nettuno, Italy.



<hr width=100% size=1>Alan Cloke

 

[duncan]

"It means that in wind of force 8 and waves exceeding 2m (I think those are the parameters or something similar) then a Cat "A" boat shouldn't roll over!"

I think the wave height goes a bit higher than that Alan!

However as a general gist it is designed to indicate the cruising conditions that a craft is designed for and, in the abscence of any better information is pretty good in the lower levels.

Cats A/B seem the emotive ones, as indicated here, with the kdos of an A 'rating' getting far more attention than it probably should.



<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Birdseye]

There have been lots of different efforts to rate boats in terms of safety and security, particularly following the Fastnet disaster. This is the latest official one and is based, I believe, on some reasonably detailed research.

I am not an exoert but I believe that, amongst other things, you need an AVS of 120 and a STIX value of 32 to qualify for Category A. The AVS does not so much relate to your chance of capsizing (all small boats can be capsized, monos generally more vulnerable than cats) but your chances of remaining inverted for a long period. The STIX number takes into accounbt things like downflooding angle.

Its just one other thnig to take into account when buying a boat, but dont over rate it. Your seamanship is arguably more relevant to your safety than the boat category.

<hr width=100% size=1>this post is a personal opinion, and you should not base your actions on it.

 

[webcraft]

Because of the way STIX numbers are calculated longer boats are more likely to get Cat A. Many smaller yachts that have a good reputation as blue water boats could never get Cat A today.

It doesn't mean that much IMHO. Many Cat A boats have a relatively low AVS (less than 120 deg) and a huge area under the curve, meaning they would be alarmingly stable inverted. I'm just back from a 2-week charter of a modern 40ft Beneteau, and while it's a lovely holiday boat and great fun to sail I would definitely feel safer taking our 31 year old 27ft Albin Vega out of the range of weather forecasts.

The above notwithstanding, as Cat A seems relatively easy to get in a larger new boat I think I would be unhappy, all other things being equal, buying a similar length/type of boat which had only managed Cat B

All IMHO and with no claim to any deep specialist knowledge . . .

- Nick





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